Sturgis West Charter School InvenTeam
Marine mammal rescue transporter
Energy and Environment
The Sturgis West Charter School InvenTeam invented an improved transporter cart and sling for marine mammal rescues. The transporter is used for moving stranded dolphins, small whales, or seals at low tide beach locations to waiting vehicles. The trauma-reducing cart and sling with an integrated mammal weighing system, improved steering, and quick disassembly features, will be available at a lower cost and a lower weight than previous carts. Two people can set it up in under one minute. It can carry up to 600 lb and travels the rescue distance of up to one mile. The transporter was constructed with lightweight aluminum tubing, beach wheels, a hand crank, and a custom-made mammal sling. The alpha prototype cost $2,500 to fabricate.
