Seaway wins RNLI capstans supply contract
Seaway Powell Marine Ltd, specialists in the design and manufacture of marine hydraulic systems, has won a contract to supply capstans for the new RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat.
Starting last month and set to run until December 2014, the Seaway Powell Marine contract is to supply the first 10 Shannon Class vessels with its C3000E capstans.
The Shannon class lifeboat will be part of the charity’s fleet serving the waters surrounding the UK and Ireland. The RNLI plans for a further 50 Shannons to be manufactured over the next 10 years.
RNLI commercial manager Gary Coleman says: “We have a long standing relationship with Seaway Powell. Our decision for them to provide capstans for our latest class of all-weather lifeboat, the Shannon, was made because the product is built to withstand the tough conditions that our lifeboats operate in, and they provide a good standard of customer service.”
Seaway Powell’s C3000E capstan can accept rope up to 30mm in diameter. Drive can be either from 12 or 24 volt DC or hydraulic motor, providing a rated pull load of 1400kg at a speed of 34 metres per minute. In its original form (C3000) it has been fitted to providers of critical and lifesaving services as well as many small commercial craft, short sea ferries and ocean going yachts.
Seaway Powell has manufactured over 400 capstans for the workboats and lifeboats market and is now expanding its operations to include the servicing and repair of marine hydraulic systems and equipment. The company has been in the marine hydraulics business for over 40 years, in the early 90s becoming the first company to develop the hydraulic captive winch. Following a buy-out in 2011, Seaway Powell became part of the Precision Technology Group.
