Sheerness History
1969 The lifeboat Ernest William and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde was sent to Sheerness for evaluation until a satisfactory berth became available.
1970 The all weather Watson class lifeboat was placed on permanent service on 22 April.
1972 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established in July with a D class lifeboat. The ILB launched from a slipway next to the ILB boathouse.
1974 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Crew Member Malcolm E Keen after he entered the sea from the lifeboat to connect a towline to the fishing vessel Gentlemaid. He also helped to connect another towline to the yacht Bosun, which had lost a rudder and had no power in rough seas on 21 August 1973. Six people were rescued.
1976 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Charles Henry Bowry for rescuing the five crew from the yacht Eladnit, which was aground on the West Barrow Bank in gale force winds and a rough sea on 16 August 1975.
1977 A new boathouse was built. The ILB was kept on a trolley and lifted into the water by a davit.
1979 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Charles Henry Bowry for rescuing the two crew from the cabin cruiser Ma Jolie II which had struck an obstruction and lost her propeller on the Cinque Port Marshes in a strong gale and rough seas with heavy snow and poor visibility on 30 December 1978.
1980 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Charles Henry Bowry for rescuing four crew from the radio ship Mi Amigo which was sinking near the Long Sand Bank on the night of 19/20 March. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to each of the five lifeboat crew.
1985 A new berth for the all weather lifeboat was provided at Gun Wharf Steps.
1987 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Helmsman Richard Rogers and Crew Member Brian Spoor when the D class lifeboat rescued two people from the water after their speedboat had capsized in a strong wind and a rough sea on 25 August 1986.
1987 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Robin William Castle when the all weather lifeboat rescued two people from a 16ft boat on the Yantlet Flats in winds in excess of 90 knots. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Second Coxswain Dennis Bailey Jnr and Crew Member Richard Rogers for entering the water to lay an anchor when the lifeboat grounded during this service.
1992 A new launching davit was installed on the quay.
1996 The Waveney class lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced by a Trent class lifeboat, ON-1211 George and Ivy Swanson, on 16 March.
The D class lifeboat, D-513 Seahorse I, was placed on service on 31 October.
2000 Improved crew and shore facilities were completed in May.
2002 Letters of appreciation were sent from the Medical and Survival Committee to the Coxswain and five crew members for the service to an injured crew member onboard the Rix Condor.
2005 The new D class lifeboat Eleanor was placed on service.
Station honours
At Sheerness lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 10
Bronze Medal 3
Silver Medal 1
