When Spring approaches and inshore lifeboats prepare for their busy period, George Dadson, RNLI truck driver, knows there is far more going on behind the scenes than may meet the public eye…George is responsible for ensuring the inflatables used by the inshore lifeboatmen of Ireland are returned ready for operational use after their annual refit and Winter storage at RNLI headquarters in Poole.

The former tank transporter driver has worked for the Institution since 1982. Every six weeks, he takes the ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare, before setting off on a coastal tour which takes in all 33 of Ireland's lifeboat stations- including the Republic.

He collects the D and C class inflatables in the Autumn and takes them to headquarters for r e f u r b i s h - ment, later returning them to the stations at the beginning of the year so that they a re ready for the new season. George is also tasked with delivering all of the other stores, components and equipment needed by the ever busy lifeboat crews.

George clearly has a love for his trucks, spending five years behind the wheel of a drawbar unit in which he covered some 250,000 kilometres. Then, in November 1995, George's new Mercedes arrived from the supplier in Poole, who also supplied the tractor unit now being driven by colleague Tom Mackin to and from the North of Scotland, and is responsible for maintain- RNLI driver George Dadson. back home at Poole depot with his pride and joy.ing the RNLI's fleet of five trucks.

When harnessed to its three-year-old Southfields trailer, now fitted with anti-lock brakes, the rig is an monumental 56ft in length and could pose a real challenge to a less experienced driver - 'You have to concentrate all the time!' explains George.

Using the four-tonne Hiab crane mounted behind the cab, George is able to single-handedly load and unload the inflatables at each station. The lifeboats may be piled three and even four high on the vehicle but only weigh around 300kg each, with another 85kg for each boxed motor. This means he rarely comes close to the truck's 32,250-tonnes gross weight limit, so there is always plenty of extra power if needed.

George, whose wife Daisy works in RNLI's fundraising office, has notched up some 44 years driving trucks and speaks very fondly of his new vehicle, he is especially appreciative of its air suspension, making his long journeys quiet and comfortable.

He adds, 'I even have an air seat - anyone that's driven trucks on the atrocious roads in the West of Ireland will appreciate how much I value that! Now I don't suffer any of the bumps and bangs that I used to. That means I'm less tired, and often able to go on and do another stint.' George has mixed feelings as he looks forward to his retirement, in just three years time. T shall miss my regular trips to Ireland; the people can't do enough for you and the scenery is fantastic,' he says. 'I love being put on the road, where you're practically your own boss, and having driven trucks for so many years, retirement will certainly take some getting used to.' Based on a feature which first appeared in the Mercedes-Benz magazine 'M-Way' and reproduced by courtesy of the editor..