RNLI Sheerness lifeboat

11/09/2026

🚨Launch 76🚨

Our volunteer crew had a long afternoon at sea on Wednesday after reports of a motorboat aground🛥️

The all-weather lifeboat, Judith Copping Joyce, launched at 3.40pm and, after reaching the casualty vessel, found it drifting. Those onboard confirmed the motorboat still had propulsion but no steering, so our crew helped them to safety.

The lifeboat returned to station at 9.20pm after nearly six hours at sea. Another fantastic effort from our volunteers 💙🛟

09/09/2026

🧡🌊

09/09/2026

💙🛟💙

The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives at sea. But recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about our purpose and our lifesaving work in the Channel.

As a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in some cases, physical abuse. This is unacceptable.

The RNLI’s people represent the very best of society. For over two hundred years they have dedicated themselves to rescuing people they’ve never met before, without judgment, fear or favour.

We are tasked by HM Coastguard to help those in distress, and we'll do so whenever, wherever and whoever they are.

We launched 9,058 times in 2025. Only 109 of those launches were to those in distress in the Channel – 1.2% of our total rescue work. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is then taken into the care of the relevant UK authorities.

To those who stand with the RNLI, thank you. For more than two hundred years, we've saved lives at sea around the UK and Ireland, and that commitment remains unchanged.

07/09/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who supported us at the Queenborough Classic Boat Festival! ⚓️

Our wonderful fundraising volunteers raised £176.43 over the weekend.

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and meet some new supporters too. Thank you to our volunteers for giving up their time and to everyone who stopped by, had a chat and donated. Your support helps our volunteer crew continue saving lives at sea 💙

06/09/2026

🏖️ RNLI lifeguards are preparing to finish their patrols across most beaches in Thanet and Swale today (September 6) after one of their hottest and busiest summers.

Patrols will continue at Margate Main Sands and Viking Bay until September 27.

A huge thank you to every lifeguard who helped keep thousands of beachgoers safe this summer! 🌊👏

05/09/2026

⚓️ This weekend, it’s the Queenborough Classic Boat Festival! ⚓️

Today, our fundraiser Trev is at Queenborough Harbour with his fantastic model boats, while tomorrow our volunteer crew will be bringing along our all-weather lifeboat, Judith Copping Joyce.

Visitors can look around the lifeboat between 11am and 1pm, subject to operational requirements. Come along, meet the crew and see her up close! 🚤🧡

There will also be a range of historic vessels to explore, including MT Kent, X-Pilot: Kent’s Classic Pilot Vessel and a Thames sailing barge, as well as sea shanty performances throughout the weekend.

Sheppey FM will provide the music, the Isle of Sheppey Town Crier will be joining the event and The Little Blue Hut will be serving food and drinks.

📸: Queenborough Classic Boat Festival

For more information click here: https://www.facebook.com/share/182zBbYZKE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/09/2026

Our volunteer crews have now been called out more than 70 times this year as a busy summer draws to a close 🌊

Over the bank holiday weekend, the inshore lifeboat was called to Grain Tower after a man became trapped as the tide came in and was unable to climb down safely.

Working with Coastguard, our crew brought the man and his rescuers safely ashore.

📸: Peter Everett

01/09/2026

Some of our volunteer crew have recently been put through their paces at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset 🌊

They took part in Crew Emergency Procedures, an intensive course covering vital lifesaving skills including sea survival, capsize drills and escaping from a capsized vessel

The college is the RNLI’s national training centre, where lifeboat volunteers and lifesavers from across the UK and Ireland prepare for the challenging situations they may face at sea.

These pictures offer a glimpse of our volunteers in action during the course 🛟

26/08/2026

Our volunteer crew have been out on the water carrying out anchoring exercises aboard our all-weather lifeboat, Judith Copping Joyce! 🚤🌊⚓

Regular training like this gives our crew the chance to practise vital skills and make sure they’re ready for whatever they may face when the pager sounds.

24/08/2026

🏆 A huge congratulations to Trevor! 🏆

We’re incredibly proud to congratulate Trevor on receiving his Excellence in Volunteering Award (EVA) in recognition of an amazing 29 years of going above and beyond with his fundraising for the RNLI ❤️🌊

Nearly three decades of dedication and support is an incredible achievement, and we can’t thank Trevor enough for everything he has done to help save lives at sea.

Very well deserved, Trevor. Congratulations from everyone at Sheerness RNLI! 👏🚤