Dover Lifeboat crew welcome back a special lady

After six months away from her home port, the volunteer crew of the Dover Lifeboat have welcomed back their own boat, City Of London II, after a major £1 million refit.

Since leaving Dover for a boatyard on the Isle of Wight in July the 17 metre Severn class lifeboat has been completely re-engined with twin MTU engines replacing the aging and original Caterpillar engines. The new engines have improved horsepower meaning a top speed of 25 knots and increased fuel economy. The fitting of these new engines will also extend the working life of the boat with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for another 20 years.

Dover's Lifeboat Operations Manager, Roy Couzens, said: "It is a testament to the people of Dover and the wider community who support the RNLI by raising money in large and small amounts that this refit was possible and the work of saving lives at sea by the Dover Lifeboat can continue."

During the refit, the station operated a Severn class lifeboat from the RNLI's relief fleet and the lifeboat's mechanics were extensively trained in the working and operation of the new engines.

The City Of London II has been on station as Dover Lifeboat since 1997.