RNLI Shannon Class Lifeboat

As the project has hit 30%, it's time to begin to introduce you to the crew of the Shannon.

Let's begin with Robyn. Robyn is one of the newer crew members at the lifeboat station. She works in her father's bicycle shop and has always liked mechanical systems. She has grown up around the RNLI, often volunteering in and around the station as her grandad was part of the Shore crew, and her father was a crew member of the previous ALB before he retired. You could call her a 3rd generation hero, but she'd tell you she's just helping those in trouble at sea.

The Lego Shannon Class Lifeboat continues its mission, and has reached the 3000 supporters marker buoy. It's time to pick up the big red phone and call the coastguard to update them with the latest news.

An immense "Thank you" to everyone who has supported this idea and has helped in reaching this milestone. 

To try and spread the word about the Shannon class Lifeboat far and wide, I've created a few social media friendly images (ie, square!) that I have been posting in the Fediverse.

As that is the only SM presence I have, I thought I'd add those images here so that anyone who would like to help widen the reach of the project could use them in their own feeds.

Feel free to include any additional message / text you wish, and the direct URL for the project too.

(https://ideas.lego.com/projects/25c0850a-c911-434c-9c9e-4a6c33b668bb)

Many thanks in advance.

The LEGO Shannon class Lifeboat is racing through the water and has passed the 2000 supporters marker buoy. The engine room is heating up as both engines work at full speed.

We’ve got our eye on the fire extinguisher just in case!

Thanks to everyone who has supported it in reaching this milestone. 

Please keep voting and spreading the word to help make the Shannon Lifeboat a reality.

Since launching this project, I've been looking at the design of the trailer that transports, launches and retrieves the Shannon. Although the initial design allowed the lifeboat to be rotated, it didn't look right. So, I've been working on an improved design.

The trailer has been extended, and the rear caterpillar tracks are less centralised than in the first version. This is more like the actual SLARS. In transport mode, most of the trailer sits over the extended base.

The whole unit (including a redesigned turntable section) is able to incline to 10º allowing the lifeboat to be launched from a slight slipway directly into the water. In this mode, most of the trailer sits over the extended base. A lever mechanism on the tractor lifts the trailer.

The whole trailer top unit is rotated 180º, and then tilted (including a redesigned turntable section) by 10º to allow the lifeboat to be dragged back onto the recovery unit from the beach, A lever mechanism on the tractor lifts the trailer. Once on the trailer, the trailer rotates back 180º ready to be transported back to the station.

Pushing the black technic blocks causes the lever to raise, in turn raising the trailer unit.

The LEGO Shannon class Lifeboat has its waterjets at maximum and is racing out to sea at full speed! 

In fact, it caught me by surprise with the speed it’s travelling at. In just one week it has reached 1000 supporters. What a start.

Thanks to everyone who has supported it in reaching this milestone. 

Please keep voting and spreading the word to help make the Shannon Lifeboat a reality.

In particular, special thanks to Jack Lowe of The Lifeboat Station Project, the RNLI, and everyone who has shared this project on social media. 

Together, we can launch a Shannon.