Frequently asked questions
Can I come to the bell ringing ceremony?
Unfortunately the bell ringing ceremony is a short 5-10 minute ceremony principally for RNLI staff and volunteers including representatives from the Invergordon station. It is located at a working factory and we are unable to safely accommodate large numbers of people, for health and safety reasons. We will however be filming all aspects of the ceremony and sharing with all Launch a Memory supporters.
I want to see my loved one's name on the boat. How can I see it?
We are in the process of collating all your loved ones names and will be creating the digital artwork from 18 November. This is then sent to our supplier to produce and print the special decals, which will be completed mid-December. The decals will then be added to the Shannon Lifeboat in mid-January and shortly after this, we will be able to share an online version of the decal to the Launch a Memory Supporter Hub, so that you can search for your loved ones’ names. We will also be sharing news and photographs of the Launch a Memory lifeboat via email, on social media, on the Supporter Hub, and in our supporter publication, Lifeboat magazine. You can sign up to become a Lifeboat magazine member. Once the lifeboat is in Invergordon it will be moored at the end of a locked pontoon which unfortunately means you would not be able to get close enough to the lifeboat to read the names on the decal.
Will there be an opportunity to see the boat when it arrives at Invergordon lifeboat station or can I go to the naming ceremony?
Due to the large number of names that will be appearing on the decal, it is not possible for people who have chosen to Launch a Memory to attend the naming ceremony of the lifeboat. When the lifeboat arrives at the station in 2020, it will be berthed at the end of a locked pontoon, so visibility of the boat may be restricted. It is unlikely that you will be able to get close enough to the lifeboat to read the names on the decal, and some of the decal may be submerged in water, due to where it sits on the hull of the boat. We also cannot guarantee that the lifeboat will be visible to view at any time as it may be involved in a rescue, training, maintenance or other activity. However, there will be opportunities to see photographs and videos of the boat through our social media channels, on the Supporter Hub and in supporter publications, including Lifeboat magazine.
How much has been raised and how many names have been submitted as part of Launch a Memory?
We are still to receive a final figure, but we have raised over £380,000 and have received over 9,500 name submissions.
When does the boat arrive in Invergordon?
The boat is scheduled to arrive at Invergordon Lifeboat Station in Summer 2020, but the exact date is yet to be confirmed. We will be updating the supporter updates page when we know more details, including a live feed of the boat’s progress from our All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole to the station in Invergordon.
How can I see the lifeboat?
The boat is currently in our All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) building in Poole and will be until 19 January. Tours of this building can be booked through the RNLI College and are subject to availability since they are run by our volunteers. Please note that the decal with all the names of loved ones sent in to Launch a Memory will not be applied until after 19 January. Please also note visibility of the boat is partially obstructed by the bays due to the nature of it being a working factory. To find out more about the tours and for images inside the building please see the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre page.
During the Shannon Lifeboat’s sea trials we have secured two weekends when the boat will be moored up on a pontoon outside the back of the College restaurant should supporters wish to see the boat in Poole. The weekends are 22-23 February and 29 February-1 March. Please note, access to the pontoon is restricted and so the names will not be visible to the public.
The boat is scheduled to arrive at Invergordon Lifeboat Station in Summer 2020, but the exact date is yet to be confirmed. We cannot guarantee that the lifeboat will be visible to view at any time as it may be involved in a rescue, training, maintenance, be submerged in water or taking part in other activities. We will update the Supporter Hub with any opportunities to visit the station and see the lifeboat with the special decal on it. Unfortunately, we are unable to take requests to visit the station ahead of the boat going on service.