Apparatus for launching inflatable fascines comprising a conveyor system to which uninflated fascines are attachable for delivery to a launching region and an inflator to effect inflation and launch of the fascines. The conveyor (2) comprises a number of rigid conveyor members (12), each of which constitutes a fascine support location. At each of the support locations a packaged fascine (24), comprising a deflated fascine (23) housed between a backing plate (25) and a frangible or hingeable containment member (26), is attachable. The packaged fascines (24) may also contain a reservoir of pressurized gas (32) for inflation purposes. The conveyor (2) is connected via drive wheels (9) to a motor (6) such that the support locations carrying the packaged fascines (24) are sequentially delivered to a fascine launching region (14).