Talus MB-H amphibious tractor
Talus MB-H is a continuous track launch tractor which was specifically designed for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, to launch and recover carriage mounted lifeboats, particularly the lifeboat, from beach-launched lifeboat stations. In total, 31 tractors were manufactured by Clayton Engineering Limited of Knighton, Powys.
The Mersey-class has been replaced mostly with the new All-weather lifeboat, which uses the new Shannon Launch and Recovery System from Supacat and Clayton Engineering, or in some locations, with a Inshore lifeboat.
On 18 December 2025, the last RNLI All-weather lifeboat, 12-20 Leonard Kent at Newcastle Lifeboat Station, County Down, was withdrawn from service. A final carriage launch, with the aid of the Talus MB-H, took place on 11 January 2026. The Mersey-class was replaced with a and Talus MB-4H in late 2025.
Some of the surplus Talus MB-H tractors will be transferred for use at stations using the Inshore Atlantic 85, with a few retained in the relief fleet. The rest are likely to be sold out of service. The following list will include those tractors now in use with Independent rescue services where known.
All of the following fleet details are referenced to the 2026 Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbook, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.