A HISTORIC vessel that saved more than a hundred lives while serving a charity will return to its home port.
The famous ex-Penlee RNLI lifeboat was built in 1930 and came to Harwich in 2013 when veteran Harwich sailor Rod Shaw bought the vessel to restore it.
Sadly, the boat was vandalised in September 2020 after Mr Shaw poured hundreds of hours into restoring it and adding £5,000 in costs to the project.
This year Mr Shaw sold the vessel to boat and car enthusiast Tyla Edward.
He said: “The interior was damaged and was too far gone for Rod to fix back up.
“So, to be a friend, I offered him a small sum of money to take it off his hands to salvage some parts and hopefully find a new owner.
“I hope it will be fully restored and going back to its original home in Cornwall.”
The boat is recorded on the National Register of Heritage Boats and has had an outstanding career, with notable war service.
During the Second World War, the former Watson Class Penlee Lifeboat W&S was called out to various casualties including the Canadian warship HMCS Teme off Cape Cornwall and the German U-boat U-1209 aground at Wolf Rock in the hope of finding an enigma machine.
It also holds the record of being the longest-serving lifeboat on a single lifeboat station and heroically rescued the crew aboard the HMS Warspite which ran aground on its way to the scrapyard on the River Clyde.
When the ex-Penlee lifeboat was eventually changed, its replacement, the Solomon Browne, was tragically lost with all its crew when trying to rescue the crew of the Union Star vessel on December 19, 1981, which is now known as the Penlee Disaster.
Tyla is hoping to find a new buyer soon, who will help restore the boat to its former glory.
Chris Pullar came all the way from Sussex after seeing the advert online and has been determined to restore the boat to its former glory.
He said: "I would like to see her sailing again in 2031 for her 100th birthday.
"I think that can be achieved.
"I want to return this boat back to its community, where it belongs and I'll do whatever it takes to restore her."
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