Untitled Document

Lifeboat Launch Vehicle Repair
The Southport Lifeboat launching vehicle is currently having a major refit at mi-Technology Group. The work being carried out is to keep the vehicle in good working. It was found that the steel chassis of the vehicle had signs of corrosion to the exposed places and now was the time to repair it before the corrosion became dangerous. One of mi-Technology Group staff, Darren Bunker volunteered to carry out a full strip down and rebuild of the vehicle in the Leyland workshop. It was found during the stripping of the vehicle that the engine block was cracked due to the excessive heat generated by the engine being air cooled instead of water cooled as is most vehicle engines, 1st major problem, we needed to get a replacement engine and gearbox. Darren approached Cummings engines, who agreed to donate a brand new unit. Next it was found that the new engine needed to be lowered in the chassis to align the prop shafts up at the correct angle. This work meant lifting the engine and gearbox out of the vehicle to allow for new engine mounts to be fabricated

Recent picture of the Southport Lifeboat launch vehicle beingTested



Pictures of The Rebuild Process
	Picture of the Southport Lifeboat launch vehicle being rebuilt
Right is a picture of the main section awaiting cleaning and painting.
	The new engine and gearbox waiting to be fitted.
The new platform and crew safety rails fitted.
	The new platform and crew safety rails fitted.
Recent photographs taken of the nearly completed vehicle as of August 2005