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Anstruther RNLI to commemorate 10,000 loved ones on the hull of a new lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

Through the ‘Launch a Memory’ campaign, members of the public and supporters of the charity will be able to commemorate a loved one by making a suggested donation of £50 online and submitting that person’s name.

The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, which will be used to enhance the service in Anstruther – one of the UK’s busiest waterways, is the fourth such lifeboat to be part of the RNLI’s ‘Launch a Memory’ fundraising campaign and the second to be based in Scotland.

Anstruther’s volunteer crews have been rescuing people off the east coast of Fife for over 160 years. Coxswain, Mechanic at Anstruther, Michael Bruce, is pleased the volunteer crew at Anstruther will have the chance to launch the new Shannon class lifeboat alongside their new station in 2023 with the people’s memories by their side. He says:

‘The Shannon class lifeboat will vastly improve our speed and range of operations, almost halving response times. To have the decal filled with the names of remembered loved ones and supporters is a massive honour, especially with the construction of our new station.’

Since 1865, Anstruther’s lifeboat crews have launched more than 1,000 times, saved over 250 lives and received five medals of gallantry.

You can Sign up to Launch a Memory by visiting: https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/donate-in-memory/launch-a-memory

There is a suggested donation of £50. Every donation contributes to powering the RNLI charity in its lifesaving work around the UK and Ireland.

Notes to editors

Anstruther lifeboat station has been operating since 1865. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/anstruther-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Claire Thomson, RNLI Media Engagement Placement Scotland, 07929673286, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789The names of the 10,000 people being remembered will be featured within the RNLI letters and numbers on the lifeboat, or decal, displayed on the vessel’s hull.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.