# Sheerness Lifeboat Station

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. 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. The RNLI first stationed a lifeboat here in 1969.

## History

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).

## Station honours

The following are awards made at Sheerness
* RNLI Silver Medal
       Charles Henry Bowry, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1980
* RNLI Bronze Medal
       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
* Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE)
       Robin William Castle, Coxswain - 2010
* Freedom of the Borough of Swale
       Robin Castle, Former Coxswain - 2021

## Sheerness Lifeboats
### All-weather lifeboats

| ON | Op. No. | Name | In service | 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 | 2021– | Shannon | Delivered 28 May 2021 |

### Inshore lifeboats

| Op. No. | Name | In service | Class |
| 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 | 2016– | D-class (IB1) |
* ↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
* ↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.
vteNeighbouring Stations to Sheerness :
Gravesend Lifeboat Station
Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat Station
Thames Estuary
South East London
Sheerness Lifeboat Station
Whitstable Lifeboat Station
Kent
Kent
Kent :