Your Launch a Memory Exmouth updates
Welcome to your updates page for Exmouth’s lifeboat. Here you can keep track of the boat, learn about the all-weather Shannon class and much more.
Guidance on station visits and contact
As Exmouth is a working lifeboat station, we kindly ask that you don’t contact the station directly with Launch a Memory queries or turn up hoping to see the lifeboat, as it may be out on operational duties.
If you have any queries about Launch a Memory, please read our FAQs, or email [email protected] or call our Supporter Experience Team on 0300 300 9905.
Any opportunities to see the lifeboat in the future will be communicated to supporters via email, and this updates page.
What's next: Your campaign milestones
April 2025 will see the campaign close (unless capacity is reached first) and it will be the last chance to check and confirm name spellings too*, before the decal is designed in May 2025. Names will be applied to the lifeboat in June, and a link to an online name finder tool shared to help locate your special name. There will be an event in Poole, Dorset, in early summer 2025 for supporters to see the Exmouth lifeboat up close (tickets are limited) and after this the lifeboat will return to Exmouth with potential opportunities to book visits to see it at the station. Updates on visit opportunities and bookings will be shared on this page.
*This email will be sent to donors who made the original submission only. If someone applied on your behalf, use your certificate to verify details and contact us by the end of April for any corrections.
Remembering the one we lost
On Christmas Day 1956, Volunteer Crew Member Will Carder made the ultimate sacrifice after being swept overboard by a 6m-wave in a ferocious south-easterly gale. It was the first and last time an Exmouth lifeboat volunteer was lost to the sea in the town’s 222-year lifesaving history.
As a tribute to Will, who was the landlord of local pub The Volunteer, Whitbread had a new pub sign painted depicting Exmouth’s lifeboat Maria Noble and a portrait of Will. When the pub was later demolished, the sign was moved to the lifeboat station, where it proudly hangs today, right next to your Launch a Memory lifeboat.
Will’s memory will also live on through the Shannon when his name is added to the lifeboat later this year, alongside your loved one(s).
Exmouth’s retail range now available
We’ve developed a range of high-quality, affordable mementos that are available to purchase now, so that you can keep your loved one’s memory next to you, as well as on the lifeboat beside the 13-03 lifeboat crews when they launch to save lives at sea.
Exeter artist creates a drawing of Exmouth lifeboat
This piece of artwork called 'SHANNON ON THE BEACH' was created by Nick Langdon, which depicts the Exmouth Lifeboat 13-03 having just landed upon Exmouth Beach, and awaiting The Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) in order to be returned back to the Station boathouse. You can purchase this piece of art via the RNLI Photo Store, where you can choose from an array of different products to print the artwork on to. The money raised will go towards saving lives at sea.
Celebration certificates
If you have gifted Launch a Memory for a loved one to celebrate their birthday, anniversary or other special occasion, please email [email protected] once you have made your submission to receive your celebration certificate.
By default, certificates are processed for in memory so you will receive one of these automatically - but celebration certificates for those still with us are available upon request following the steps above.
Meet Riley: Exmouth's very own station dog.
This handsome chap is Riley, one of our crew's beloved dog. He likes to be close to the action and is always interested in what’s going on. And he loves the water – the team have a job to keep him out of it!
He’s also a bit of a therapy dog. When the crew get called out to some tough shouts, Riley is always at the other end to lend a listening ear and provides the crew with the comfort they need.
Riley’s name will be added to the lifeboat, alongside all the other beloved pets through Launch a Memory, so he’ll be in good company.
Exmouth lifeboat rescue stories
Get the most from Launch a Memory
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.
take your tour today
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
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
Celebrate and remember your loved one by adding their name to a lifeboat. They’ll be there, beside the crew, every time they launch to the rescue.
Add a name to a lifeboat