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″N0°44′37″E / 51.44611°N 0.74361°E |
Opened | 1970 |
Inaugurated | 1969 |
Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
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]
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]
ON [lower-alpha 1] | Op. No. [lower-alpha 2] | 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 |
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) | |
Blyth Lifeboat Station is located at the Port and seaside town of Blyth, in the south east corner of the county of Northumberland, approx. 13 miles (21 km) north of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat station is a RNLI base in Norfolk, England. There were originally two separate stations at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston – two coastal towns either side of the River Yare. These were merged in 1926.
Ramsgate Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the Port of Ramsgate in the English county of Kent. The station is one of the oldest to operate in the British Isles and has launched to many notable services. Among the awards won by its crews over the years are 42 RNLI medals, including 2 gold, 39 silver and 1 bronze, the last being awarded in 2000.
The Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station is a lifeboat station at Southend-on-Sea in the English county of Essex, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) since 1879.
Angle Lifeboat Station is located near the village of Angle, on the southern side of the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Weymouth Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Weymouth in Dorset, England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. It currently operates a Severn-class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Salcombe, Devon in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized, in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives, and in 1983 with no loss of life. Since 2008 the station has operated a Tamar-class all weather boat (ALB) and an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Torbay Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Brixham, Devon in England. Brixham Lifeboat Station was opened in 1866 but since 1924 has been known as 'Torbay'. Since 2005 it has operated a Severn-class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) together with a D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station is located in the town of Aldeburgh, in the English county of Suffolk.
Harwich Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Harwich in the English county of Essex. The station is positioned on the southern side at the mouth of the River Orwell estuary. The station serves a particularly busy section of coastline with Harwich being a very busy ferry terminal. Across the estuary is the Port of Felixstowe which is the United Kingdom's busiest container port.
St Davids Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station. It was opened in 1869 and to date has been involved in saving over 360 lives at sea in more than 420 launches. The station operates both an all-weather (ALB) and an inshore (ILB) lifeboat.
Eyemouth Lifeboat Station is located at the harbour town of Eyemouth, in the Scottish Borders, Scotland.
Holyhead Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station in the coastal town of Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales. It is one of the three oldest lifeboat stations situated on the North Wales coast, a disused building of which houses the Holyhead Maritime Museum.
Moelfre Lifeboat Station is located in the village of Moelfre, on the north east coast of Anglesey, Wales.
St Peter Port Lifeboat Station is located at St Peter Port, capital of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and main port of the island of Guernsey, a self-governing British Crown Dependency and one of the Channel Islands.
Fleetwood Lifeboat Station is located on The Esplanade at the port of Fleetwood, a Lancashire town at the north end of The Fylde, situated at the mouth of the River Wyre.
Dunmore East Lifeboat Station is located on West Wharf, at the harbour of Dunmore East, County Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland.
Amble Lifeboat Station is located at Radcliffe Quay, Warkworth Harbour, in the town of Amble, at the mouth of the River Coquet, in the county of Northumberland.
Mallaig Lifeboat Station is located at Harbour Road in Mallaig, a harbour town at the top of the north Morar peninsula, on the north-west coast of Scotland.
Alderney Lifeboat Station is located at Braye Harbour, on the island of Alderney, the northernmost of the inhabited Channel Islands. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a British Crown dependency.