Just because a lifeboat has not reached her new home and been officially put on station does not stop her being a lifeboat, as these two photographs show.

The Severn class allocated to Harwich on the east coast was taking part in her 40-hour engine trials (part of every lifeboat's working up trials) in the Channel when she became involved in the two services shown here-well away from herfinaPpatch'.

She was in the vicinity when Plymouth's lifeboat was called to the aid of the the fishing vessel Senex Fidelis (top) and also escorted the 24ft yacht Thirst Quencher (below) in gale force winds and foul weather conditions off Rame Head.

Lifeboats on passage report their position to local coastguards as they make their way along the coast and are often called on when an incident occurs as they are already at sea and can respond very quickly..