The morning of 26th came all too quickly as the boats were still being worked on until midnight the night before, Abbey Transport turned up on time and the Horace Clarkson was all loaded up by 9am and got to Wells with no problems

The crane lift (as always a bit stressful) went fine, 11 tons of boat hanging from 4 pieces of chain high up in the air is always rather worrying!!

The crane and lorry then back to the yard and loaded up Ernest Tom and then back to Wells again within 2 hrs, the lift again ok, by now several onlookers on the quay and quite a bit of cheering and clapping as she hit the water, and YES they both still floated!!

Several of the old crew including 3 of her coxswains soon scrambled on board and yes the old sea rescue stories came pouring out !! it was a great moment! i think they would have gone on all night! what great characters.

Both boats are now having the final finishing touches before going to sea again!
Looks like Wells is the safest harbour in the area at the moment with 3 big lifeboats and an  inshore one !!