‘There’s more love at Wells RNLI than anywhere else I know’
Volunteers, residents, tourists and four-legged friends are among those that love Wells RNLI. People travel from all over the world to view the station's Launch a Memory lifeboat and show appreciation to the community’s commitment to saving lives at sea for more than one-and-a-half centuries.
The Shannon class lifeboat is testament to the community's love of the RNLI. The Wells’ lifeboat was partly funded by the local community, by several legacies to the RNLI’s general funds as well as our corporate partner The Lifeboat Fund. Overall, the campaign raised over a million pounds.
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 name carries a story of love and happy memories. Local businesses, groups and individuals support the lifesaving work of the charity and with their generosity the RNLI is able to saves lives at sea 365-days-a-year.
Launch a memory supporter, Mary Broadbridge Thompson, shared: ‘Over the years when on holiday around the coast my husband Ray always popped in to see the RNLI Lifeboats, he had dreams being crew, but we lived too far away. Ray died very suddenly in January 2021.
'A friend told me about the new Launch a Memory Shannon class lifeboat to be based at Wells-next-the-sea. As Ray and I had holidayed there several times it felt like a wonderful way to remember him.
'I think launch a memory is the single most comforting thing since I was widowed, the thought that my Ray is there on the wheelhouse roof, looking after the crew along with all the others named every time the boat launches, fills me with love and pride. It gave me purpose and launched my own passion in the RNLI. I have Ray's name on Lois Ivan at Whitby, Eric's Legend relief boat and the current Exmouth boat but RNLI 13-46 Duke of Edinburgh is the one that lives in my heart.’
One of the many local business owners that regularly supports Wells RNLI, Marcus French, explained: ‘We are pleased to support our local lifeboat station it is manned by local volunteers who give their time and energy willing to help people in danger and keep our community safe.’
Shop Volunteer, Adele Meakin, said: 'I had my late husband’s name put on Wells RNLI's Launch a Memory Lifeboat, I felt an affection for the lifeboat and all who would sail on her. I love being in the shop and helping people find their loved one’s names on the lifeboat, it’s so emotional.’
Wells RNLI volunteer press officer, Jess Curtis, said: ‘There’s more love in our lifeboat station than anywhere else I know. I’ve never felt more part of a family and a community than I have since I joined the RNLI. We’re a family, one crew and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
'Valentines is a good opportunity to thank all the families, friends and loved ones that we have helped or just had the pleasure of meeting. To all our lifeboat family that support and enable us to launch whenever we are needed.'
RNLI media contact For more information please telephone Jess Curtis , RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07860200790 or [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Notes to editors
Wells RNLI has a D-Class Inshore Lifeboat Peter Wilcox and a Shannon Class all-weather lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh. The boathouse and the all-weather lifeboat were new in 2022. The Duke of Edinburgh lifeboat was the first UK Launch a Memory lifeboat, which has 15,000 names printed on the decals. This helped to raise much needed funds for the RNLI and attracts thousands of visitors to the station.
Guided tours of Wells RNLI can be booked using the following Link or Via Wells Lifeboat Website
Wells Lifeboat and Station Tour Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
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.
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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.