A new lifeboat has turned up in Weymouth harbour.

Normally, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution boat Ernest and Mable is stationed at Weymouth, but for several weeks there will be a replacement boat in the harbour. 

This is due to extended maintenance being carried out on the usual vessel in Poole.

In the meantime, The Duke of Kent, one of the RNLI's relief boats will be hand for lifeboat crews to use.

The replacement vessel is of the same Severn class all-weather lifeboat and will join the Jack & Phyl Cleare, a B class Atlantic 85 which is also stationed in Weymouth.

A spokesperson for Weymouth Lifeboat said: "For the observant out there, yes, we currently have a different boat at the end of the jetty.

RNLB The Duke of Kent (17-43), one of the RNLI’s relief boats, is on station for the next few weeks while our station boat Ernest and Mable (17-32) is in Poole for extended maintenance.

"Being the same class of vessel means that we can continue to provide the same level of cover as usual."

Weymouth is one of our busiest lifeboat stations on England’s south coast and is situated at Lifeboat House, Nothe Parade, The Quay.