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Frequently asked questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Launch a Memory.
Adding a loved one's name
You can include up to 10 names in a single form submission, and feel free to submit the form as many times as you'd like.
To make the process even smoother, we currently cannot accept joint names like 'The Smiths' or 'John and Joan Smith'. Please add each name separately.
To produce the decals containing the names, we input all names into software that helps to arrange them within the shapes of the centre console and engine cover panels. Names are flowed in sequentially in the order they are submitted. Some names are then manually moved around to ensure there are no empty gaps, allowing us to maximise space and give everyone an opportunity to add a name to the lifeboat.
Due to the intricacies of this process, it is difficult to accommodate requests to keep names together. We really appreciate your support and understanding.
On the Thames Launch a Memory lifeboat, the names will be displayed within special panels on the side or top of the centre console, or on the side of the engine cover, as shown in the examples below. Unfortunately, due to the various locations, we cannot accept specific location requests.
We can accept:
- More than one name per form submission. The online form allows up to 10 individual names to be added in one submission.
- Middle names - for example 'John David Smith'.
- Titles - for example 'Captain John Smith'.
We are unable to accept:
- Joint names - for example 'The Smiths', 'John and Joan Smith' or 'John & Joan Smith'. If your submission includes joint names, we'll get in touch to arrange an alternative solution.
- Names that include special characters - for example 'John Smith!'
- Submissions that have additional information such as numbers and locations - for example 'John Smith Thames 1952'.
- The name of a group or company - for example 'Thames RNLI Swimmers'.
Although Launch a Memory was created for supporters to remember loved ones no longer with us, we now have lots of supporters who also add the names of people still with us. We have had supporters add someone's name for a birthday present, anniversary and even a wedding gift!
You are welcome to add:
- the name of a loved one you miss and wish to remember
- the name of a special family member or friend who is still with us
- your name
- the names of a couple for an anniversary or wedding gift. Please add as two separate names (you will receive two separate certificates).
- the name of a beloved pet.
Your certificate
If you are donating as a gift for a living loved one, once you have submitted your name, you'll be given the opportunity to request a gift version of the certificate by emailing [email protected].
We appreciate your willingness to donate! However, we are currently unable to accept online donations from individuals who are not in the UK or Ireland.
Instead, you can make your donation and add a name by contacting our Launch a Memory Team on +44 1202 336395.
As well as your loved one's name on the lifeboat, you'll receive:
- a personalised digital certificate, one per name submitted, to print and proudly display
- regular email updates (every 6-8 weeks)
- a link to an online name finder
- access to a retail range specifically for your Launch a Memory lifeboat
- a link to a special Thames lifeboat dedications page.
We have a suggested donation to add a name of £75/€75. This has been based on careful consideration of the resources and costs required, including looking at the average donation amount received during previous campaigns, and surveying previous Launch a Memory donors.
Unfortunately not. You are responsible for checking the name before submitting it to ensure that it is spelled correctly, contains the correct details, and is submitted as you wish the name to appear on the lifeboat.
We cannot accommodate name changes, such as replacing the name submitted with someone else's name, or changes to names based on preferences such as nicknames or new marital names. This is because there are so many names to manage and arrange and why it is so important to check the name you add at the point of submission.
Please take the time to verify all details to avoid any potential discrepancies and disappointment.
One final email will be sent for you to check the name before the decals containing the names are created.
After adding a loved one's name
You should receive your confirmation email to the email address you provided to us within 24 hours, although usually you'll receive it within a few hours. Your certificate will be sent in a separate email.
If you haven’t received a confirmation email within 24 hours and have checked your junk/spam, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling our Launch a Memory Team on 0300 300 9905 (from the UK), 01 511 9871 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 336395 (from any other country).
You will only receive a certificate if you provided us with your email address when submitting your loved one's name. The certificate email will arrive separately to the confirmation email.
We aim to send out all certificates within 72 hours of the submission. We send certificates by email, as PDF attachments, when submissions are completed through the online form. These often end up in spam/junk folders.
If you have not received your certificate after 72 hours and have checked your junk/spam, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or phoning our Launch a Memory Team on 0300 300 9905 (from the UK), 0151 198 71 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 336395 (from any other country).
We hope to have replicas of the lifeboat panels on display at the three Thames lifeboat stations so that you can see your loved one’s name up close, although we can’t guarantee this at this stage.
If you gave us your email address when sharing your loved one’s name, we will let you know about any updates - including the opportunity to see your loved one's name within online versions of the lifeboat panels.
Once you've made your donation and submitted your chosen name/s and the campaign has closed, we'll keep you informed about the possibility of attending an event in Poole, Dorset, to visit the lifeboat. This is yet to be confirmed and is subject to availability.
We will also let you know about any opportunities to see the lifeboat in London in the future too. We kindly ask that you don't contact the stations directly about Launch a Memory or arrive hoping to see the lifeboat.
If you have any questions about your lifeboat, please contact [email protected].
Unfortunately not. We anticipate there will be more supporters wishing to attend a viewing event than we can cater for, so we must limit the number of tickets available. If we could give tickets to all of you, we would. But to be able to run the event successfully and safely, we are bound by venue capacity and health and safety considerations.
When tickets go on sale, they will be available for timed slots on a first come, first served basis. You may buy up to four tickets, per name submitted, up to a maximum of 12 tickets. There are so many supporters, like you, who want to see the lifeboat that we think a maximum of four tickets per name is reasonable, and we hope you do too.
There may be other opportunities to see your loved one’s name on the lifeboat in the future, although we can’t make any promises because it depends on various factors.
Thank you for your support and understanding. You’ll find more information about Launch a Memory viewing events in our Terms and Conditions.
Yes. If you have gifted Launch a Memory to a loved one and they would also like to receive the email updates, or if your family members or friends would like to receive Launch a Memory email updates, we can add them to our mailing list.
All they have to do is email the Launch a Memory Team at [email protected] or call 0300 300 9905 (from the UK), 01 511 9871 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 336395 (from any other country).
A member of the Launch a Memory Team will collect the relevant details and communication preferences so they can receive campaign updates, event information, and other Launch a Memory news.
Thames Launch a Memory
At present, the campaign will run until summer 2027, to allow us to collect as many names as possible.
The names will be added in summer 2027 and, rest assured, all supporters will receive updates by email as the campaign progresses.
For the latest news and further details, you can also visit the Thames updates page.
Please note, dates are subject to change. Thank you for your support!
The Thames Launch a Memory lifeboat will serve Wandsworth Riverside, Tower and Gravesend lifeboat stations.
Lifeboats on the River Thames move between the stations depending on operational need.
In September 2026, Chiswick Lifeboat Station relocated further downstream to provide better facilities for the crew.
Teddington Lifeboat Station, which is located further upstream, provides vital lifesaving cover between three locks - Molesey, Teddington and Richmond. To safely navigate the waters between these locks, the station has a smaller, agile D class lifeboat instead of an E class.
The Thames lifeboat stations are working lifeboat stations; we kindly ask that you don’t contact them directly or turn up hoping to see the lifeboat. The lifeboats on the River Thames move between the stations or may be out on operational duties.
If you have any queries about Launch a Memory, please read our FAQs, email [email protected] or call our Launch a Memory Team on 0300 300 9905 (from the UK), 01 511 9871 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 336395 (from any other country).
Any opportunities to see the lifeboat in the future will be communicated to supporters by email, and on the Thames Launch a Memory updates page.
Your Launch a Memory donation will be used to help save lives wherever the need is greatest. From educating children about water safety, to the equipment that lifeguards use to save lives. From the lifeboats that provide beacons of hope to people in distress, to the training that brings their volunteer crews safely home. So whether it’s at at sea or on the River Thames, you can be proud of the lives your donation to Launch a Memory is helping to save.
Other Launch a Memory lifeboats
We have web pages dedicated to every Launch a Memory lifeboat - Invergordon, Clifden, Wells, Anstruther, Whitby, Eric's Legend 13-40, Exmouth, Swanage and the Thames.