Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI’s flagship vessel, the George and Francis Phelon, returned to its home station on Saturday, April 11.

The boat was originally delivered in 2023, with hundreds of people celebrating its arrival, but it had to leave again in 2024 after the lack of suitable mooring at the existing RNLI station, where the facilities were deemed inadequate.

While a new berth at the old pilot station was found and fitted out, the George and Frances Phelon was first stored at a marina in Oulton Broad before going on service at Falmouth and then at Kilkeel Lifeboat Station in Northern Ireland.

The George and Francis Phelon RNLI lifeboat returns to Great Yarmouth and Gorleston station on April 11. (Image: Ronald Lovick)

It later returned to the RNLI headquarters in Poole for a full re-fit before coming back to Great Yarmouth and Gorleston.

A small group of people was at the end of Gorleston pier to welcome the lifeboat home for the second time.

The boat is now moored at a new site at the former pilot station, further down the river, which the RNLI has recently obtained from the Great Yarmouth Port Authority.

A small crowd gathered to welcome the George and Francis Phelon as it returned to Great Yarmouth and Gorleston station on April 11. (Image: Ronald Lovick)

Lifeboat operations manager Lindsey Wigmore said: “We are delighted to have the Shannon back. It’s a great boat which really will help us manage better in shallow waters, such as the sandbanks off the Norfolk coast.”

RNLI head of region Rebecca Felton said: “This is wonderful news for the people of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston and we look forward to the George and Frances Phelon being able to help keep the Norfolk coast safe."

The George and Frances Phelon is the first legacy boat for the RNLI and is named after a couple from Bradford who donated a substantial amount of money to the RNLI.

© Eastern Daily Press