For Major Osman Gabriel (right) of Hove, who donated her to the R.N.L.I., the successful selfrighting trials carried out at Littlehampton on 8th September, 1972, on the Pother class life-boat of that name which he witnessed must have been particularly gratifying. The life-boat will serve at Port Erin, Isle of Man. The Rother life-boats differ from the 37 foot Oakley class, from which they are derived, in a number of respects.

Their self-righting capacity comes entirely from the hull design and not the transference of water ballast. They are also designed to be fitted with radar and have a wheelhouse. The Osman Gabriel replaces the Matthew Simpson, a 41 foot Watson, which was built in 1939 through a legacy left by Miss C. F. Simpson, of Lancaster.

She saved over 50 lives in 72 launches..