Previous names
- Greater London II
Details
Construction
Dimensions
History
GALLICHAN (ON 921) was built as a Watson class lifeboat by Groves & Gutteridge of Cowes, Isle of Wight in 1955 and is a vessel of mahogany double diagonal construction. She was originally named GREATER LONDON II (CIVIL SERVICE No. 30).
She served at Southend-on-Sea in Essex with between 1955 and 1976, then at Beaumaris, Anglesey, until 1989. In total, she was launched more than 279 times, saving 160 lives.
Sold out of service in 1991, she was converted to a family cruiser, and renamed GALLICHAN after coxswain David Gallichan, who was awarded the bronze medal in recognition of the courage, judgement and seamanship during a rescue in December 1981. The forecabin was converted to four berths.
She was based in Barcelona from 2002 and returned to the UK in 2015. Under current ownership she has been based in Portland, Dorset, and used for cruising the south coast. Mechanically and exterior fittings are largely as sold out of service. She is powered by twin Ford Watermota Sea Lion 70 HP diesel engines.
Update, July 2026: Vessel for sale.
Key dates
-
1955
Built by Groves & Gutteridge, Isle of Wight
-
1955/1991
Served as Lifeboat at Southend and Beaumaris
-
2002/2015
Based in Barcelona
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