Launch a Memory
We’re sorry, there’s no more space for names of loved ones on the side of the Whitby lifeboat. Do check back in the coming months to see when and where we’ll be launching the next Launch a Memory lifeboat.
Remembering a loved one
The decal on the fifth Launch a Memory lifeboat – heading to Whitby in Yorkshire – is now full up.
Keep an eye on this page for news on the timings and location of the next Launch a Memory lifeboat.
For other ways to support us by remembering a loved one, please visit our donate in memory pages.
How does Launch a Memory work?
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1
Add your loved one's name
Make a donation and celebrate the life of your loved one by adding their name to a new lifeboat -
2
Keep an eye on your inbox
We'll email you confirmation once you've submitted your name, and then send regular updates as the lifeboat is built and gets ready to launch -
3
Leave a dedication
Share your stories, pictures and thoughts on our special dedication page, using the link in our confirmation email -
4
Print your certificate
Within 8 weeks of signing up, we’ll email you a personalised, printable PDF certificate in memory of your loved one
What it means to launch a loved one's memory
Watch the video and hear what it means to have a loved one on a lifeboat from those who have Launched a Memory. Because you aren’t just adding a name. You are adding a new chapter to your loved one’s story.
Where possible, there will be also be an event where you can see your loved one’s name on the side of a lifeboat up close.
Watch a Shannon being built
Did you know that you can watch RNLI lifeboats, like the Shannon, being built? Book a tour at our All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, and see behind the scenes at our lifeboat-building factory.
Tours take place on Mondays at 11.00am and Wednesdays at 2.30pm. They last around 90 minutes and cost just £7.50 per person.
You can book your place today by phoning our College Reception Team on 0300 300 7654 or emailing [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Here are some answers to the top questions about Launch a Memory. See our full FAQs.You are welcome to add more than one name to the lifeboat, however due to the way the system is set up you will need to do more than one transaction. For example, if you wanted to add two names you would need to go through the transaction process twice. We are unable to accept joint names e.g. ‘The Smiths’, ‘John and Joan Smith’.
In general, names will be arranged in the order we receive them from supporters. However, the names will be arranged in a way that best fits the shape of the decal. This means that, unfortunately, we can't guarantee that names will appear next to each other.
When the lifeboat arrives at Whitby station in 2023, there is the possibility that supporters will be able to visit the lifeboat and the lifeboat station, but this is yet to be confirmed. If you have any questions about our station, or your lifeboat, please contact [email protected]. As you can imagine, our volunteer crew at Whitby have a lot to juggle alongside being on call 24 hours a day - so we’d be really grateful if you could avoid contacting the station directly.
When the boat is being built in our All-Weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) building in Poole, it might be possible to see the lifeboat as part of the ALC tours during the later build stage, however we cannot guarantee this.
Your loved one’s name will appear alongside thousands of other dearly missed loved ones inside a decal making up the letters and numbers on the lifeboat.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept:
- Joint name submissions – e.g. The Smiths or John and Joan Smith
- Submissions that have additional information such as numbers and locations – e.g. John Smith Plymouth 1952
- Group names – e.g. Poole RNLI Swimmers
Updates on our previous Launch a Memory lifeboats
Read about the latest updates on the Anstruther Launch a Memory lifeboat.
Anstruther updates
Read about the latest updates on the Clifden Launch a Memory lifeboat.
Clifden updates
Read the latest updates on the Invergordon Launch a Memory lifeboat.
Invergordon updates
Bereavement support
If you are struggling and need support, please contact your GP or reach out to a support organisation such as:
Samaritans Ireland or Samaritans UK - call 116 123, 24 hours a day
Cruse Bereavement Support - call 0808 808 1677
Mind - call 0300 123 3393 (10am - 6pm Monday-Friday)
In the UK, text SHOUT to 85258 (24 hours)
In Ireland, text HELLO to 50808 (24 hours)
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now. If you’re in the UK and you need help urgently with your mental health, but it’s not an emergency, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.