Many people have shared heart-warming stories about why they chose to include the name of someone they miss on the lifeboat – as well as celebrating their or their loved one’s connection to the RNLI.
Add a dedication
Your Launch a Memory Lifeboat 13-40 updates
Updates on the new Shannon class Lifeboat 13-40 ‘Eric’s Legend’, the sixth Launch a Memory lifeboat to carry thousands of loved ones’ names.
Relief Lifeboat 13-40 'Eric's Legend'
Eric’s Legend has been on service as an RNLI relief lifeboat since 2021 and has already provided cover at five different lifeboat stations, helping 97 people in need.
And it’s not just rescues that a relief lifeboat supports. Eric’s Legend has been busy training volunteer crew too. Because of a relief lifeboat’s nomadic existence, moving between stations as needed, helping to train more lifesavers than your average Shannon class all-weather lifeboat (ALB). Eric’s Legend has trained many crews learn and master the skills vital to bringing themselves and others home safely from sea.
Alice's story
"Eric’s Legend has already stepped in here at Swanage on two occasions. I was part of the crew that went to the rescue of five people cut off by the tide one evening in July last year. When we arrived on scene, three of the people had managed to climb to safety on what had become an island, but two people were chest-deep in water that was rapidly rising with the incoming tide, as they tried to reach the mainland.
I dread to think what may have happened if we – our all-weather lifeboat crew aboard Eric’s Legend, and our inshore lifeboat crew – hadn’t been there.”
- Alice Haw, Volunteer crew member, Swanage Lifeboat Station
Climb aboard a Shannon class lifeboat
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with the newest lifeboat in the RNLI's fleet? Well now's your chance! On this virtual tour, you can explore the engine room, wander around the wheelhouse and even travel to the upper deck to take the wheel, and guide your crew from the lookout.
PS. You will be redirected to a non-RNLI webpage for the tour.
Get the most from Launch a Memory
Forever by the Sea 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