News and Events

RNLI benefits from BU research

20 April 2009

Lifeboat being launched (c) RNLI Nicholas Leach

A leading UK lifeboat charity is benefiting from the expertise of BU’s School of Design, Engineering & Computing.

Valuable research conducted by a BU PhD student is helping the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to improve its performance when saving lives at sea.

Working at RNLI lifeboat stations across the UK, Ben Thomas carried out tribology research to improve the performance and safety of the RNLI’s lifeboat slipway launch process by investigating friction, lubrication and wear.

Under the supervision of Professor Mark Hadfield in BU’s Sustainable Design Research Centre, Ben’s thesis identified ways to reduce the friction levels on the slipways during launch and recovery.

Ben’s findings revealed that making a simple change in the geometry of the slipway lining material can drastically reduce its wear rate, which will reduce costs and improve reliability. Changing to a water-based lubrication regime will also reduce environmental impact.

The recommendations made in Ben’s thesis have been passed to Steve Austen, Head of Engineering Support at the RNLI, which is headquartered in nearby Poole.

Ben said: “Working on this project with the RNLI has been a great experience and has helped me gain valuable research skills.

”My research should help to improve the reliability and environmental performance of slipway launched lifeboats while significantly prolonging the slipway lining lifespan.

Steve Austen said: “The RNLI strives to provide its volunteer crews with the very best lifesaving equipment, while also seeking to reduce costs wherever possible. The findings of Ben’s thesis are extremely valuable to the RNLI as they outline improvements that can be made to produce more efficient, durable and cost-effective slipways from which to launch and recover the lifeboats. We are grateful to Ben and Bournemouth University for the thorough research that has resulted in such useful outcomes for the charity."

Professor Mark Hadfield said: “The relationship between the BU and the RNLI is excellent and this research project has provided an outstanding learning opportunity for our doctoral students. Being able to transfer knowledge of the highest level to an organisation of such prestige and regard has been a challenging and rewarding experience for all concerned.”