Community / Lerwick lifeboat returns to isles after major refit
THE LERWICK lifeboat returned to the isles on Monday after a major refit in the south of England.
The Michael and Jane Vernon arrived back in Lerwick after undergoing extensive works in Poole, Dorset, over recent months.
With five crew aboard she left Poole last Thursday, taking overnight stops to rest and refuel at RNLI lifeboat stations at Dover, Lowestoft, Tynemouth and Peterhead.
Averaging around 20-25 knots on the journey northwards, the crew have covered around 760 nautical miles in five days.
Lerwick lifeboat crew travelled south with the vessel in March, with the lifeboat needing to undergo a major refit to ensure she can continue to save lives at sea for years to come.
During this refit, all systems and equipment have been checked and replaced as necessary.
Both 1,600 horsepower MTU engines and propeller shafts were removed and replaced, new shock-absorbing seats have been fitted, all outside lighting has been changed to LED, the hull and compartments have been repainted and a new satellite phone has been installed.
The cost of the work on Lerwick lifeboat has been met by public donations, fundraising and legacies to the RNLI.
Lerwick coxswain Stephen Manson said of the refit: “It’s been a long trip and we’re pleased to have brought our lifeboat home after this major refit at the RNLI’s specialistfacility.
“The upgrades and work done have given our Severn-class lifeboat a new lease of life, so we can continue to save lives at sea for years to come.”
This was the first time that Michael and Jane Vernon has returned to the south coast of England since being built and launched in 1997 at Cowes in the Isle of Wight.
Lifeboat Fraser Flyer has provided cover in Lerwick in recent months and will soon move on to another RNLI station.
Michael and Jane Vernon is currently the only Gold-medal Severn-class lifeboat in service in the RNLI fleet, after the rescue of the crew of the cargo vessel Green Lily in November 1997.
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