 The tractor is now largely being discontinued because the RNLI have now replaced the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat with the new Shannon Class Lifeboat which uses the new Launch and Recovery System from Supacat.This amphibious tractor has been designed to launch carriage-launched lifeboats such as the Mersey-class all-weather lifeboat.The tractor can deploy its pay-load in to a sufficient depth of water to ensure a safe launching of the lifeboat.