Rother class
The boat was originally part funded by the people of Eastbourne. She came by road to the Lifeboat Museum car park (nr the Wish Tower) in 1979, she was named by HRH the Duke of Kent.
She went on station at Fisherman’s Green almost immediately. Whilst stationed at Eastbourne she was launched 353 times on service and saved 86 lives.
The Duke of Kent, decommissioned after some 16yrs of service, found herself in Scotland privately owned, operating on the river Tay until the owner Mr Lorimer had her hauled and secured on land around 2004. After the sad passing of Mr. Lorimer, his Wife decided it was time to let someone else enjoy the boat.
Allchorn Maritime were told the boat was for sale and as a result, rose to the challenge of bringing her home to Eastbourne! After a few days of many phone calls and emails, a very generous sponsor came forward with a significant donation to add to the funds we had already raised plus the donations from a number of our supporters, thank you. Within three weeks the DUKE OF KENT was back on Eastbourne beach between the RNLI station and our restoration, heritage and education facility at Fishermen’s Green.
The boat arrived back home on the 15th November 2017 taking 3 days by road from Tayport Scotland to Eastbourne and now becomes part of the Allchorn Maritime restoration project, Preservation through Education.
The plan is to restore the boat to its former glory and have her back on the water for Eastbourne events such as the ‘999 Weekend’, ‘Eastbourne Airborne’ etc… Future ideas include offering a lifeboat experience cruises along our fantastic coastline
Builders – William Osborne ltd
Date Built – 1979, Cost – £200,000
Size and Type – 37 ft 6 inch Rother Class
Displacement Loaded – 13.10 Tons
Engines – Twin Ford Mermaids, 52hp Each at 1750 RPM
Main Berthing at EB – Boat Shed, Slipway Launch.
Time at Eastbourne – 14 years 1979 – 1993
Time in Reserve Fleet – 2 years 1993 – 95
We would like to thank the following for all their help with getting the boat back home:-
Mrs Lorimer (former owner), Paul Ursell (sponsor), Ian Simpson and Highlander Boats (Scotland), John Sheppard Transport, Patterson Cranes in Scotland, Coussens Crane hire Bexhill and of course, our invaluable supporters without whom our projects would not be possible.
