[4] The system worked by the lifeboat taking on one and half tons of sea water at launching in to a tank built into the base of the hull.

If the lifeboat then reached a crucial point of capsize the ballast water would transfer through valves to a righting tank built into the port side.

The lifeboat was fitted with Decca 060 radar and all she carried Pye Westminster VHF and an Ajax MF radio telephones.

The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows performed a total of 127 service launches during here 29 years at Sheringham[1] becoming the longest serving Oakley class lifeboat in the RNLI's fleet.

[2] Over the period that The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was stationed at Sheringham she had a total of five coxswains who were as follows: One notable rescue was carried out on 15 August 1961.

Just as the boat left the carriage the mast holding the haul-off rope snapped and it was only by skilful handling by coxwain Henry 'Downtide' West[2] that tragedy was averted.

Three lifeboatmen were put aboard the Lucy to help transfer the boat owner's unconscious wife and young son to The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows.