'Rotary Service' was one of only two Thames Class lifeboats built. Built of steel, this lifeboat was 50 foot long and powered by twin General Motors diesel engines. Before arriving at Dover, the boat had served temporarily at Falmouth. She replaced the Waveney class lifeboat 'Faithful Forester'.

'Rotary Service' was mainly funded by an appeal by Rotary International, Great Britain and named on 30th October 1979 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

During her time at Dover, 'Rotary Service' was involved in many service calls including the 1987 Hurricane. She left Dover in 1997. Her last service call, a search after wreckage was spotted, was on 2nd March 1997 and actually involved her replacement 'City of London II', which was passing en route to a special event on the River Thames.

Rotary Service is now in private hands, known as 'Treffry' and working as a Pilot boat in Castletownbere, Ireland. Until 2006 she had been performing a similar job at Fowey in Cornwall.

On exercise off Samphire Hoe. From the collection of Mr D. Smith

Alongside in the Tug Haven © Trevor Boston

'Treffry' during the RNLI's 17th Anniversary Celebrations in 1999. © Trevor Boston