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Wells-next-the-Sea RNLI's new lifeboat station is entering its second year

Lifeboats News Release

Wells-next-the-Sea RNLI’s new lifeboat station is just entering its second year of service. It is home to a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat the Duke of Edinburgh and a D class inshore lifeboat, Peter Wilcox.

Photo of the Wells RNLI Shannon class lifeboat and the front of the boathouse

RNLI/Jess Curtis

Duke of Edinburgh Shannon class all weather lifeboat at Wells RNLI

The Duke of Edinburgh lifeboat is a Launch a Memory lifeboat. It has 15,000 loved one's names on the port, starboard and wheelhouse roof panels. Each panel depicts different names. It raised over one million pounds for the Wells Shannon class lifeboat.*

Wells RNLI's Launch a Memory lifeboat has brought thousands of visitors to the station. Many of these have their loved one's names on the lifeboat.

It is a very emotional experience to find their loved one's name depicted on one of the panels.

There are three benches outside the lifeboat station, each depicting one of the three panels. It is an absolute honour to help people locate the name and to thank them for their kind donation in doing this.

Adele Meakin, from Wells RNLI explained: 'I have two roles in the RNLI. I am a shop volunteer and a trainee Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer. It is from volunteering in the shop that I can appreciate the emotion and love that people have both for the RNLI and particularly the brave volunteer crew members at all the lifeboat stations.

'In the shop, there is a visitors' book for people to write a message. It has proved to be very popular and shows the extent of the love our visitors have for the RNLI and the brave volunteer crew who venture out in all weathers, any time of the day or night.

'Here are just a few examples of the lovely messages we have received in the visitors' book:

‘In memory of my loving Dad, helping to keep everyone safe’

‘Fantastic - one day we hope to be part of a brilliant team’

You are heroes, be proud and keep saving lives’

‘Wonderful new Shannon. Thank you to RNLI for all your brave work on the sea’

‘Lovely to see my dad’s name on the boat, on Father's Day too. He will be so proud. I’m full of emotion today'.

The station shop is well-stocked, and visitors can view the Shannon class lifeboat from the upstairs viewing gallery. The shop is usually open from Friday to Monday, 10am until 4pm, depending on volunteers to run it. Tours of the lifeboat station are also available, booking is through Eventbrite and have proved to be in great demand.

Adele continued: 'If you could spare a few hours a month and become a valued volunteer, please do get in touch. 97% of the RNLI are volunteers. Without people like you, we could not operate. Just a few hours a week would really help make a difference. For more information, please visit RNLI.org.'

The station also holds open days throughout the year, where the lifeboats are out on the north apron of the station, for visitors to see the lifeboats up close and talk to some of the volunteer crew. This is always dependant on callouts. Please check the Wells RNLI facebook page for the next planned Open Day.

Notes to editors

*For a small donation, suggested £50, anyone can have their loved one's names on a lifeboat that is currently being manufactured. Anyone’s name could be put on a lifeboat, living or passed. It is giving people the chance to celebrate the life of someone on the side of a lifeboat, whilst also helping to raise funds for the RNLI. For the current Launch a Memory initiative, Eric’s legend, please visit the RNLI web page and search for the Launch a Memory campaign.

*Wells-next-the-Sea lifeboat station is located at Beach Road, Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk, NR23 1DR Tel: 01328 710230.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Adele Meakin , RNLI volunteer trainee Lifeboat Press Officer on 07989 901733 or email [email protected] or Clare Hopps Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641 or [email protected] or contact the Press office on 01202 336789.


Photo of the Wells RNLI new boathouse with blue sky and people walking past

RNLI/Ray West

Wells RNLI new boathouse

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, Twitter 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.