RNLB Sarah & James Season

1986 - 1988

Sarah & James Season on the day she replaced the Rother class lifeboat, RNLB The Davys Family

This 47' Watson lifeboat had been built in 1960 but had an estimated four years station life left.

Compared with the Rother she was heavier, was more suitable for towing, was powered with twin Gardner 60 hp diesel engines and had a speed of 9 1/2 knots as against 8 knots. All members of the crew were enthusiastically in favour of the exchange and it was unanimously agreed that ON 953 Watson lifeboat Sarah Jane and James Season should be accepted to replace the Davy's Family.

The Sarah Jane and James Season arrived at Shoreham on 14 July 1986 and fitted in the Boathouse thereby establishing that the Station could operate a 47' lifeboat a fact well known locally but not previously accepted by the Instilution.

The crew were extremely satisfied with the boat which despite its age was superior in seakeeping qualities and equipment to its predecessor. The fact that the crew went to sea in this boat on the morning after the great hurricane of November 1987 is evidence of the confidence they had in her.