[1] Since 1992, the station has been inshore operations only – currently with an Atlantic 85 rigid inflatable – offshore lifeboats are to the east at Cromer and the west at Wells-next-the-sea.

The thinking behind this decision was that the RNLI's lifeboat would bring a different option to the life saving capacities of the town's private operation.

Public funds were raised to add the first floor, reached by an outside staircase, which was also used as a reading room where fishermen could rest and be educated in their free time.

The route from the boat hall led past the area known as The Mo,[7] across the promenade and onto a long timber constructed slipway.

The old boathouse (The Oddfellows Hall)[8] on Lifeboat Plain was then given over to several uses, eventually standing idle and neglected until it was refurbished at a cost of £2.5 million[8] to bring it back to us as a building for the community in 2007.

She was equipped with a dipping lug mainsail, mizzen sail and had fittings for a rudder at either end to avoid turning her in heavy seas.

Uniquely Sheringham has had in the past two lifeboat services running at the same time, one private and the other operated by the RNLI.

The Henry Ramey Upcher launched to over 50 services and she worked closely with the lifeboats, William Bennett and J.C. Madge of the RNLI.

Duncan was 36 feet long and 9 foot 4 inches wide and was self-righting by virtue of her heavy iron keel and high end boxes.

This boat cost £500 13s 10d and was funded from the legacy of Mr William Bennett, a wealthy tea merchant, of Regent's Park, London.

She was considerably heavier than the Duncan and the narrow access from the boathouse to the slipway made the William Bennett a very difficult boat to launch.

During the 18 years that William Bennett was stationed at Sheringham, the lifeboat only made 4 successful service launches, saving 11 lives.