Sheerness Trent named by HRH The Duke of Kent KG Even the dark clouds and splatters of rain decided to clear and let the sunshine smile on the new Trent class lifeboat at her naming ceremony on Wednesday 11 September.

HRH spoke to the assembled company and then took a trip out to sea. When he spoke he reminded everyone that Sheerness, despite being a relatively 'young' lifeboat station - only 30 years old, had a wonderful record of services, some heroic moments, including the Bronze Medal during the October hurricane of 1987, and now had one of the newest lifeboats in the RNLI's fleet.

Mrs Diane Berry, daughter of the nephew of the donors, said that George and Ivy Swanson, who had lived by the sea in Bournemouth for many years, and appreciated its dangers, would be so proud to know that there was a lifeboat, bearing their names, which would be ready at a moment's notice to go about the business of saving lives. The lifeboat was duly named George and Ivy Swanson, and her christening was heralded by a blast from the hooters of the boats nearby. Departing guests were given a bottle of special beer, so that they could go home and drink a further toast to the new Sheerness lifeboat and her crew..