The removal of two portable offices and a container, which have been Walmer lifeboat crew’s temporary home for the last nine months, signify major renovation works are now nearing completion.

The work has provided the crew, operations team and station volunteers with a larger more up-to-date facilities, along with an improved layout to the boat hall.

The current station, last modified 21 years ago for the arrival of the Atlantic 21 lifeboat, has served the crew and volunteers well.

But the time was right to improve the training facilities for those who risk their lives to save others.

Station operations manager, Denis Brophy, said: “We are delighted to be finally moving back into our newly modernised boathouse. The crew will benefit enormously from the new larger and better equipped training room and improved layout.”

Meanwhile the second D Class inflatable vessel to be donated in memory of Duggie Rodbard has been delivered to Walmer Lifeboat Station.

The outgoing D Class lifeboat was donated by Mr and Mrs Farley who were friends of Duggie in 2006.

Now its replacement, the Duggie Rodbard II (D794), has been given by Val Rodbard in memory of her husband.

It is an updated version of the previous D class - one of the workhorses of the RNLI fleet. It is also known as the Inshore Boat 1 (IB1).

It has improved speed and manoeuvrability, with a top speed of 25 knots.

Walmer RNLI lifeboat operations manager, Denis Brophy, said: “Everyone is delighted and privileged to receive this new lifeboat. We are all extremely grateful to Mrs Rodbard, for her generosity and continued support.”

Duggie Rodbard made its last service call on Sunday, April 17, 2016.

While at Walmer it launched 110 times, saving 6 lives and rescuing 54 people.

• The naming ceremony and dedication for the new boat will take place on Sunday, October 2, 2016.
The boat will be accepted on behalf of the RNLI by Admiral Lord Boyce Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and a service of dedication will be performed by the Station Chaplain Seth Cooper.
The official opening of the refurbished lifeboat station will take place straight after the naming ceremony and a joint celebration of the two events will take place immediately afterwards.