The lifeboat was out of action for 16 weeks

The Lincolnshire Poacher had been at Souters Boat Yard on the Isle of Wight, having a complete overhaul.

It set sail from Cowes on Wednesday and arrived back in Skegness at around 1500BST on Saturday.

Coxswain John Irving said: "She's been completely stripped down to the bare metal and everything has been updated to the latest equipment."

He added, "She's back in station and ready for action".

The work to the Lincolnshire Poacher included stripping down the 12m (39 foot) boat and removing both engines.

The Mersey-class lifeboat has also been re-galvanised, painted, had new windows installed and new propellers fitted.

While it was being re-fitted, the Poacher was replaced by an identical relief boat called the Fisherman's Friend.