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Sheerness Lifeboat Station is an Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey in the English county of Kent.[1] The station is on the north coast of the county, strategically placed at Garrison Point at the mouth of the River Medway and close the busy Thames estuary.[2] The RNLI first stationed a lifeboat here in 1969.[3]
| Sheerness Lifeboat Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
  | |
| General information | |
| Type | RNLI Lifeboat Station |
| Location | Sheerness Lifeboat Station |
| Address | Sheerness Docks, Garrison Point, Sheerness, ME12 1RS |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°26′46″N 0°44′37″E |
| Opened | 1970 |
| Inaugurated | 1969 |
| Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
In 1969, the RNLI placed two extra lifeboats on the Thames Estuary, following a decision by the RAF to withdraw the rescue helicopters from RAF Manston. An extra D-class lifeboat went to Southend-on-Sea, and it was decided to place an All-weather lifeboat at Sheerness on evaluation.[4]
The first lifeboat was a new design, a 41-foot lifeboat, moulded in GRP, and fitted out by Keith Nelson Ltd, of Bembridge, with twin diesel engines, producing 19kts. Subsequently called a Keith Nelson class lifeboat, she was the only one constructed. Numbered 40-001, she was named Ernest William and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde (ON 1017) after a legacy from Mrs. Hinde.[5]
Ernest William and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde (ON 1017) was on station from April to November 1969, but with a two month period away for repairs in July and August. For that time, Sheerness had a relief boat on station, a Waveney-class lifeboat 44-001. In late 1969, the Keith Nelson boat was transferred to Calshot for further evaluation, and Sheerness then received a 46ft Watson-class lifeboat, Canadian Pacific (ON 803), a boat already over 30 years old, and capable of just 8.5kts.[4]
In January 1970, following a successful appraisal, the RNLI decided to establish a permanent station at Sheerness. Canadian Pacific was replaced by another 46ft Watson-class lifeboat in April 1970, Gertrude (ON 847), already a 25 year old lifeboat, that had previously been stationed at Holy Island and Exmouth. Despite her age, she would be launched 103 times, and save 61 lives, over her 4 year term on station.[4]
The station received another Waveney-class lifeboat in 1974, but this time the brand new 44-009 Helen Turnbull (ON 1027), which served the station for the next 22 years.[5]
In 1985, negotiations took place with the Medway Ports Authority, and the lifeboat was relocated to Gun Wharf Steps. New crew facilities were provided in 2000, and a new Pontoon berth was constructed in 2010.[3]
Trent-class lifeboat 14-13 George and Ivy Swanson (ON 1211), which had served Sheerness for 25 years since 1996, was replaced in 2021, with the arrival of a new Shannon-class lifeboat 13-38 Judith Copping Joyce (ON 1345).[5]
The following are awards made at Sheerness[3][6]
- Charles Henry Bowry, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1980
- Charles Henry Bowry, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1976
- Charles Henry Bowry, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1979 (Second Service Award)
- Robin William Castle, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1987
- The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
- Malcolm E Keen, crew member - 1974
- The Lifeboat's crew - 1980
- Richard Rogers, Helmsman - 1987
- Brian Spoor, crew member - 1987
- Dennis Bailey Jr. Second Coxswain - 1987
- Richard Rogers, crew member - 1987
- Robin William Castle, Coxswain - 2010[7]
- Freedom of the Borough of Swale
- Robin Castle, Former Coxswain - 2021[8]
All-weather lifeboats
| ON[a] | Op. No.[b] | Name | In service[5] | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1017 | 40-001 | Ernest William and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde | 1969 | Keith Nelson | Boat placed at Sheerness for evaluation prior to establishment of station |
| 803 | Canadian Pacific | 1969–1970 | 46ft Watson | ||
| 847 | Gertrude | 1970–1974 | 46ft Watson | ||
| 1027 | 44-009 | Helen Turnbull | 1974–1996 | Waveney | |
| 1211 | 14-13 | George and Ivy Swanson | 1996–2021 | Trent | |
| 1345 | 13-38 | Judith Copping Joyce[9] | 2021– | Shannon | Delivered 28 May 2021 |
Inshore lifeboats
| Op. No. | Name | In service [5] | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-145 | Unnamed | 1972–1976 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
| D-253 | Unnamed | 1976–1988 | D-class (Zodiac III) | |
| D-362 | Kensington Rescuer | 1988–1996 | D-class (EA16) | |
| D-513 | Seahorse I | 1996–2006 | D-class (EA16) | |
| D-662 | Eleanor | 2006–2016 | D-class (IB1) | |
| D-799 | Buster[10] | 2016– | D-class (IB1) | |
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