Pathfinder Rescue Sled
The �Pathfinder� Rescue Sled, is designed primarily to rescue casualties and transfer
them safely from shallow water and mud. The sled was designed in conjunction with
MF&RS Marine Unit and manufactured by �EuroCraft� in Preston.
Providing a stable working platform for marine rescue, the unit can easily be towed,
paddled or line transferred.
Large sections of the Mersey Estuary dry out at low water periods, exposing sand
banks and mud. The sled can be inflated rapidly and is extremely useful in accessing
areas that rescue boats cannot reach.
The technical specifications are:
Length: 3.1 m
Width: 1 m
Depth: 15cm
Pack size: 66cm x 26 cm
Weight: 10 kg
Buoyancy: 450 kg (approx)
Lift Capacity: 200 kg
Slide Raft
The Slide Raft is designed for a mass casualty evacuation. MF&RS Marine Rescue
Unit were the first rescue unit in the world to use the Slide Raft on tidal waters.
Originally designed for rescue services at Geneva Airport, where aircraft take off
and land over Lake Geneva, the Slide Raft is capable of transferring up to 70 people
at any one time and as it can be towed safely at high speed is quickly re-useable.
The primary purpose of the Slide Raft on the River Mersey is to evacuate large numbers
of casualties to the shore in the event of a passenger aircraft ditch. However,
the Raft also provides an essential safety back up for the wide range of large passenger
vessels operating on the River on a daily basis.
Because of its unique design, the Slide Raft is a far more stable and safer evacuation
raft than the traditional open reversible life rafts.
Staff at the Marine Rescue Unit have also provided training in the operation of
the Slide Raft to Liverpool and Glasgow Fire Service.
Elements covered in the course included: towing, capsize drill, mass evacuation
drill, deploying a rescue swimmer, casualty management and maintenance.
The technical specifications are:
Overall Length: 8m (9m including boarding ramps)
Overall Width: 3m
Main Tube Diameter: 50cm
Bow Rise: 40cm
Cross Tubes: 33cm
Overall Weight (inc. inflation system): 180 kg
Number of Inflation Chambers: 22
Total Inflation Volume: 5450 litres
Approx Gas Charge: 12.8 kg (Co2) 0.74 kg (N2)