Your Launch a Memory Wells updates
Thank you for remembering your loved one by adding their name to the Wells lifeboat. Welcome to your updates page, where you can keep track of the lifeboat’s progress.
Book your Lifeboat and Station Tour now!
Starting in January 2023, the Wells volunteer guides will be showing supporters around the lifeboat station on 50 minute tours. These are free but limited to 12 people at a time so must be booked in advance.
Welcome home Duke of Edinburgh!
Over the weekend of 8th October, our Wells all-weather Shannon class arrived bathed in sunlight to an emotional welcome from volunteers and the local Wells community after a week-long voyage from our All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. It was a poignant day, as this special lifeboat carries the names of nearly 15,000 loved ones who will be celebrated and remembered every time the crew heads out to save lives at sea. Watch the video to see the arrival of the lifeboat.
Getting up close with the lifeboat
We recently had the privilege of welcoming you to come to see the Wells lifeboat at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. This was a very special event and we were honoured to meet many of you and hear the stories you shared of your loved ones.
For those unable to attend, we recorded a short video of the event which is available to watch now. Launch a Memory is a very special campaign, with extra special supporters and we look forward to your lifeboat arriving on station later this year.
The Wells’ lifeboat has been partly funded by the local community, by several legacies to the RNLI’s general funds as well as our corporate partner The Lifeboat Fund. Overall, the campaign raised an incredible £1,082,701.53 including gift aid!
Wells water safety
In recent years, approximately 1 out of every 2 people rescued by Wells Lifeboat crew were beach visitors cut off by the tide.
It is important to check the weather and tide times before setting off on your journey and make sure someone knows where you are going and when you’ll be back. To stay safe, ensure you return to dry sand/land at least 4 hours before high tide. During the summer, a warning siren will sound on Wells beach as a reminder to return immediately to dry sand/land.
If you're walking on the beach, when the tide is out, you could end up unaware of the water in the channel creeping in beside you. If the area is completely surrounded by water call the Coastguard IMMEDIATELY on 999.
Download a tide app like TidesNearMe or MyTideTimes or view the tide times online.
Wells-next-the-Sea lifeboat keepsakes
You can now purchase a lifesaving keepsake to commemorate the special person you’ve remembered on the Wells Shannon class lifeboat. From mugs to cushions through to photo frames, these keepsakes are a great way to keep the memory of the person you miss close to home.
Design-wise, you can choose the individual letter or number that your loved one’s names is in or the full lifeboat decal. Browse the collection of keepsakes.
30% of the profit of sales will go into the RNLI general funds. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee you will see your loved one’s name in every image or product as the writing may be too small. But their name will be in there, along with the names of others who are fondly remembered every day – and whose memory launches to the rescue every time Wells lifeboat crew are needed at sea.
Find your loved one’s name
Using our online tool you can find where your loved one’s name is printed in the letter and numbers of Wells’ lifeboat, which will save lives at sea for years to come.
Simply click on the link below, type in your loved one’s name and hit search. The image will zoom in allowing you to see their name, as well as which side of the boat it’s on. When you’re done, you can share this page with family and friends!
Please note: Our search function is very sensitive. In order to find your loved one’s name, you must enter is exactly as you submitted it. For example, John Smith, John A Smith, John Andrew Smith, or John ‘Smithy’ Smith.
If you need help finding your loved one’s name, or you have any other queries, please email us at [email protected].
Your Wells retail range
We’ve developed a range of high-quality, affordable keepsakes 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 Wells lifeboat crew when they launch to save lives at sea. Browse the entire range of products below.
Leave a dedication
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 celebrate theirs or their loved one’s connection to the RNLI.
To help share your stories, or to pay tribute to your loved one, we’ve created a web page with our partner MuchLoved. It’s a very special community filled with supporters like you. You can use it to honour the person you miss in the most fitting way for you and your family.
Forever by the sea
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.
Light virtual candles to commemorate meaningful dates, organise events or share thoughts, photos and even videos of your loved ones. For more information, please visit our page.