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Eric's Legend lifeboat 13-40 in the dark, lit by floodlights, with crew members aboard

Your Launch a Memory lifeboat 13-40 updates

Welcome to your updates page, where you can keep track of lifeboat 13-40 Eric’s Legend.

On this page

  1. Being a relief lifeboat
  2. Track your lifeboat
  3. Midnight caller
  4. 13-40 Eric's Legend mementos
  5. Make the most of Launch a Memory
Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Eric’s Legend at sea, heading straight towards the camera. White surf surrounds the lifeboat as it powers through the sea. It’s a bright sunny day.

Stephen Duncombe

Saving lives around the UK

As part of the RNLI relief fleet, your Launch a Memory lifeboat 13-40 Eric’s Legend gets to save lives all around the UK. It provides lifesaving cover when other Shannon class lifeboats need scheduled or emergency maintenance so that our crews can continue to be there, 24/7, for anyone who needs them. Since entering service in 2021, Eric’s Legend has been stationed at Fleetwood, Swanage, Workington, Dungeness, Lowestoft, Exmouth and Amble, launching 46 times and helping 107 people. 

And it’s not just rescues that a relief lifeboat supports. Eric’s Legend keeps busy training volunteer crew too. It has helped many lifeboat volunteers learn and master the skills vital to bringing themselves and others home safely.

RNLI Shannon class lifeboat Eric’s Legend at sea against a slate-grey sky

Track your lifeboat

To help you learn more about your Launch a Memory lifeboat and its operations, we’ve created an easy-to-use tracker which uses the tracking data from the lifeboat’s Automatic Identification System (AIS). Currently, you can see the exact location of Eric’s Legend, track any movement in the previous 24 hours, and view additional information such as the lifeboat’s speed and the sea conditions.

Please note: this application is a work-in-progress and we are constantly looking at ways to improve and develop it. If you have any ideas or spot any bugs, please let us know via the survey tool within the tracker. The tracker is best viewed on a mobile phone but can also be viewed via tablet or desktop devices.

Track Eric's Legend
The silhouette of an RNLI Shannon class lifeboat at sea in the fading light.

RNLI/Matt Pownall-Jones

The Shannon’s top speed of 25 knots means it can swiftly arrive on scene.

Midnight caller

When, just after midnight, an emergency distress signal was activated 15 miles off the Suffolk coast, the volunteer crew of your Launch a Memory lifeboat Eric's Legend was tasked with heading to the location. Halfway towards the source of the emergency signal, Eric's Legend was stood down – HM Coastguard had made contact with the vessel in question and was satisfied that no-one was in danger. The emergency device had somehow been activated accidentally, but RNLI crews would always rather be safe than sorry.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CALL OUT
A mug and pin badges depicting an orange lifeboat are displayed on blue background

13-40 Eric's Legend mementos

This special range of Launch a Memory mementos for your lifeboat 13-40 Eric’s Legend is available from the online RNLI Shop. Whether you buy a souvenir to treasure or give one as a gift, these mementos act as a constant reminder that your loved one is beside an RNLI lifeboat crew every time they launch on service or on a training exercise.

When purchasing a memento from our shop, don't forget to check the box marked 'YES – email me with news and offers' to make sure you keep hearing from us!

Browse the 13-40 Eric's Legend range

read more about the rescue
Eric's Legend Shannon class Launch A Memory lifeboat cruises alongside Exmouth’s Shannon class lifeboat on calm seas
History made in Exmouth

July saw a special moment for Launch a Memory supporters as your lifeboat Eric’s Legend launched as relief cover for Exmouth’s lifeboat. This was the first time one Launch a Memory boat has provided cover for another.

 

When the alarm was raised about a disabled yacht, Exmouth lifeboat crew launched both their D class inshore lifeboat and Eric’s Legend. The inshore crew assessed the situation before helping to secure a towline to the Shannon class vessel. Safely secured, the lifeboats began escorting the yacht to safety in Starcross Harbour.

Read More
Farewell to Freddie Cooper
Aldeburgh's lifeboat is escorted by Eric's Legend on it's final launch from Aldeburgh beach to Lowestoft Lifeboat station. The crew on the Aldeburgh lifeboat deck are waving goodbye.
Farewell to Freddie Cooper
On Sunday 27 October, your Launch a Memory lifeboat travelled further down the Suffolk coast to Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station to be part of a very special community event. Volunteers and supporters gathered to say farewell to Aldeburgh’s Mersey class lifeboat Freddie Cooper, which helped 351 people and saved 35 lives in its remarkable 31-year service. After a short service of thanks, Freddie Cooper launched for the final time from Aldeburgh Beach and was escorted to Lowestoft Lifeboat Station by a flotilla made up of Southwold’s Atlantic 85, Aldeburgh’s Atlantic 85 and D class inshore lifeboats, and your Launch a Memory lifeboat Eric’s Legend.
Read More
Launch a Memory event 
Launch a Memory event 
It was an absolute honour and a privilege to host many of you at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, so you could see your lifeboat 13-40 Eric’s Legend and your loved one’s name upon it. The event weekends on 6–7 and 13–14 April 2024 were joyous occasions, and it was truly heartwarming to hear the stories you shared.

If you couldn't make the event, don't worry! We made sure to capture all the excitement in a short video. It's a delightful recap of the unforgettable moments we experienced together.

View video

Get the most from Launch a Memory

Image of the search to find a loved one's name on the Eric’s Legend 13-40 Lifeboat
Find your loved one's name

Use our online tool to find the precise location of your loved one’s name in the letters and numbers of your Launch a Memory lifeboat 13-40 Eric’s Legend.

 

Contact us at [email protected] if you require assistance.

 

Use our online name finder
Eric's Legend decal photo
Order 13-40 Eric's Legend photo prints and wall art

You can now buy a lifesaving printed keepsake to commemorate the special person you’ve remembered or celebrated on Shannon class lifeboat 13-40 Eric’s Legend.


Design-wise, you can choose the individual letter or number that your loved one’s name is in or the full lifeboat decal.

Browse the collection
Collage of images from dedications
Leave a dedication

Many people have shared heart-warming stories about why they chose to include the name of someone they miss on lifeboat 13-40 Eric’s Legend - as well as celebrating their or their loved one’s connection to the RNLI.

Add a dedication
Three crew members standing on the slipway at Largs
Create a tribute fund for your loved one

An RNLI Forever by the Sea tribute fund is an online space for you to share treasured stories and photos of your loved one with family and friends. If you want to, you can also use it to help raise funds for the RNLI in their memory.

Share your memories and raise funds