A new faster and more durable lifeboat has arrived on Romney Marsh to help volunteers continue to save lives at sea.

Originally due to arrive in March, the Atlantic 85 was delivered to Littlestone Lifeboat Station earlier this month from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, where it was built.

The boat is named after Jean McIvor, who left the RNLI a generous legacy of £600,000 which paid for the new boat and will help run the station.

Mrs McIvor, from Middlesex, died in October 2017 and was a radar operator for the Women's Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

She was also the River Thames Punting Champion from 1947-50.

The new Atlantic 85 will eventually take over operational duties from Littlestone's existing lifeboat, the Atlantic 75 Fred Clarke.

There are two types of B class lifeboat - the Atlantic 75 and the Atlantic 85, named after Atlantic College in Wales where these rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs) were first developed.

The 75 and 85 represent the lengths of the lifeboats, nearly 7.5m and 8.5m respectively.

The new 85 goes three knots faster than the 75 it replaces - 35 knots compared with 32 knots - and can stay at sea for longer - three hours compared to two and a half hours.

It also has upgraded electronics including radar and ultra high frequency direction finding equipment.

Introduced into the fleet in 2005, the Atlantic 85 is the third generation of B-class lifeboat and is gradually replacing the Atlantic 75.

The volunteer crew are currently busy getting acquainted with the new boat and training has been ongoing day and night at the station.

Lifeboat operations manager Matt Crittenden said: "Monday, December 7 brought with it something I was not sure we would see this year, our fabulous new lifeboat.

"It was late in the day and she and her delivery driver Tim stayed tucked up for the night at the station.

"To be honest I have had days where I thought we would never see her, but on the Tuesday morning myself and a skeleton crew attended to see her off loaded.

"I can say at 54 years old I rarely get excited but this felt truly spectacular.

"Our Atlantic 75 has served faithfully for over 20 years and we will be sad to see her go but what we have now is Stars Wars in comparison.

"The conversion from old to new is going to take some time and especially in the current climate.

"The crews have bent over backwards this year to make what we do work and continue to do so.

"The process of conversion to the Atlantic 85 is a timely procedure but has started with training of both our core bubble duty crews being spread out over several weeks.

"We are hoping to have her fully search and rescue capable and on service early in the new year.

"I cannot begin to express our thanks as a crew and station for the new lifeboat which was so kindly funded by its namesake Jean McIvor .

"It will soon be ready to join the RNLI's fleet of lifeboats and along with her volunteer crews be ready to save lives at sea."

A naming ceremony will be arranged for 2021.

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