Sheppey's new Shannon-class lifeboat the Judith Copping Joyce has been formerly named in a ceremony at Queenborough.

The state-of-the art £2.2 million RNLI craft was originally delivered to Sheerness in March 2021 but the naming ceremony had to be delayed because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Thanks to its water jets, which have replaced conventional propellers, the vessel was able to get close enough to Crundalls Wharf on Saturday's high tide at noon for Mrs Copping Joyce's widower Anthony to officially name her. A bottle of champagne was then cracked over her bows.

Mrs Copping Joyce was a keen fundraiser for the RNLI and left all her estate to the rescue organisation when she died.

Judy, as she was known, was born and brought up in Grimsby which, at the time, was home to the world's largest fishing fleet which often relied on the brave volunteer crews of the RNLI to rescue them.

Judy later moved to London to become a window display designer for the famous Dickens and Jones department store in Regent Street. But she never forgot the RNLI and left it a generous legacy in her will.

Anthony said: "On behalf of Judy, I am privileged to be here for the naming ceremony. Although in latter years she became a little reclusive, she never gave up, tirelessly fundraising in Barnet market. It is a fitting tribute that her legacy has been applied to this magnificent new Shannon lifeboat. She would have loved to have been here."

He handed over the keys to Ryan Hall who was just six weeks into his new role as RNLI's head of region. He thanked all crews and fundraisers and singled out Judy who was "happy to shake her bucket hard so we can go to sea if safety" before handing the keys to Nigel Budden, the lifeboat operations manager at the Sheerness station.

He said: "This is a very proud day for all the quiz-masters, sky-divers and everyone who has raised money for the RNLI. Already this year, we have launched 70 times and saved two lives. We look forward to writing a new chapter in the history of the RNLI."

The service was conducted by the Rev Colin Johnson and introduced by Cllr Cameron Beart who chairs the Sheerness Lifeboat management group.

Among those present were retired coxswain Robin Castle. One of his last duties had been to sail the lifeboat to Sheppey from Poole in Dorset where it had been built. It was greeted by Trent-class George and Ivy Swanson, which it has replaced after 26 years of service, the D-class inshore lifeboat Buster and a water salute by one of the dock's Svitzer tugs.

He described it as "an absolutely awesome boat" with "amazing capabilities".

It carries the identifier 13-38 as it is 13 metres long and is the 38th Shannon to be built.

The self-righting vessel features a fibre-composite reinforced hull and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 25 knots (30mph) powered by two Scania 650hp engines.

All crew had to undergo intense training to learn new techniques. It is controlled by a series of computer terminals.

Work began building the 18-tonne boat in 2019. It is the smallest and lightest of the current range of all-weather boats and has a range of 250 nautical miles. It also features shock-absorbing seats and an anti-slam hull.

RNLI spokesman Vic Booth said: "She will transform the way Sheerness RNLI volunteers are able to save lives at sea. It is ideally suited for offshore searches or rescues in shallower waters such as the creeks and channels of the Medway."

It was designed in-house by the RNLI. The first Shannon was delivered to Dungeness in 2014.

The first RNLI lifeboat stationed on Sheppey was the Ernest William and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde in 1969. Today Sheerness is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in the country, regularly launching more than 100 times a year.