Sheerness RNLI welcomes new all-weather boat

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station at Sheerness on the northern coast of Kent recently took delivery of a new all-weather lifeboat.

Acquired at a cost of £2.2 million (US$3 million), Judith Copping Joyce has a length of 13.6 metres, a beam of 4.54 metres, a draught of 0.75 metres, self-righting ability, and two Scania 484kW engines that deliver a speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles. Construction of the boat began in 2019.

The new lifeboat honours the late Judith Copping Joyce, a long-time RNLI donor from Hertfordshire. It will eventually replace The George and Ivy Swanson, which has served with Sheerness RNLI for 26 years and is now being retired.

Sheerness RNLI will continue to operate The George and Ivy Swanson while crews familiarise themselves on the newer vessel.