An RNLI station is offering people the chance to view a special lifeboat with the tributes of loved ones on its hull.

The Shannon-class relief vessel, called Eric's Legend (13-40), is part of the charity’s heartfelt campaign.

It will be available to view tomorrow (Wednesday, April 30) at Queenborough All Tide Landing on Sheppey between 6.30pm and 8pm.

This visit is particularly poignant, as Eric’s Legend is only temporarily at the station while its own lifeboat – Judith Copping Joyce – undergoes scheduled maintenance at Ramsgate.

RNLI relief boats travel around the coast, providing vital cover for stations to ensure there is no interruption to lifesaving operations.

Since entering service in 2021, Eric’s Legend has provided cover at Fleetwood, Swanage, Workington, Dungeness and Lowestoft.

The boat has been sent out 36 times and helped 100 people, as well as training volunteer crew.

Eric's Legend is part of the RNLI’s “Launch a Memory” initiative, where supporters make a donation to have the name of a loved one added to the hull of a lifeboat.

It means that each person becomes a lasting part of the crew’s lifesaving missions – remembered and honoured with every launch.

It’s not often that a vessel like this, which carries the tributes of so many, is available for the public to view locally.

An RNLI spokeswoman said: “Several families who have loved ones commemorated on Eric’s Legend have already been in touch and we are pleased to offer this opportunity for them – and the wider community – to come and see this very special lifeboat.

“We invite everyone to join us at Queenborough All Tide Landing on Wednesday evening to view Eric’s Legend and to share in the pride, remembrance and community spirit that the vessel represents.”