Whitby's Shannon class lifeboat Lois Ivan cruises along the water at sunset

Your Launch a Memory Whitby updates

Welcome to your updates page, where you can keep track of the Whitby lifeboat.

Whitby Lifeboat Station tours

The volunteer Visits Team at Whitby would be delighted to offer a pre-booked tour of the station. Please do not contact the station by phone direct, all enquiries be should be through [email protected]. Please note that as the team are volunteers, they may not always be able to accommodate your booking.

Please remember that this is a working lifeboat station and there will be times when the lifeboat is not available to view, subject to operational requirements. Your loved one’s name is not only on the side of your Launch a Memory lifeboat at Whitby. It's also taking pride of place on the permanent billboards outside the station.

An image of the new signage displaying a replica of the Whitby lifeboat decal

See your loved one's name outside the station

Your loved one’s name is not only on the side of your Launch a Memory lifeboat at Whitby. It's also taking pride of place on the permanent billboards outside the station.

The two billboards feature full-size replicas of the lifeboat’s decal RNLI 13-49, and all the precious names within it, from both its starboard (right-hand) and port (left-hand) sides. And if you need help finding a name, you can scan the handy QR codes with a mobile phone, which will take you to our online name finder tool.

RNLI Whitby crew members Luke Pentith and Max Burnett standing in front of Whitby’s Shannon class lifeboat.

New year, new recruits

The new year started with good news for Whitby RNLI volunteers Luke Pentith and Max Burnett, who both became qualified crew members. The pair went afloat in your all-weather, Shannon class lifeboat Lois Ivan and had their training put to the test by RNLI Trainer and Assessor Matt Blanchard. Station Manager Barry Brown said: ‘It’s our priority to make sure that our volunteers are trained to the highest standard in order to keep themselves and others safe at sea.'

Learn more

Whitby’s range of high-quality, affordable products resting on a backdrop of pebbles and a coiled rope. Mementos that show the Whitby illustration of the boat and number

Whitby mementos

Get 25% off this special range of Launch a Memory mementos for your Whitby lifeboat when you purchase them from the RNLI shop in Whitby.

Please note, Whitby mugs are the only product available online from RNLI Shop*. When purchasing a memento from our online shop, don't forget to check the box marked 'YES – email me with news and offers' to make sure you keep hearing from us!

*While stocks last.

Browse the Whitby range

Previous updates

Whitby’s Shannon class Launch a Memory lifeboat cruising through Whitby Harbour

A flag weekend to remember

The start of August saw the community in Whitby come together to support the lifesavers onboard your Launch a Memory lifeboat for a weekend of flag day fundraising. The celebrations featured bucket collections, market stalls, raffles and a supercar display. The highlight of the celebrations was the lifeboat demonstration, which saw your Shannon class lifeboat and the station’s B class showing off the impressive manoeuvrability and speed of the craft that bears your loved one’s name. A grand total of £10,962 was raised in support of Whitby lifeboat crew, generosity that will help the volunteers be ready and able to use your lifeboat to launch to the rescue.

Whitby’s Shannon class Launch a Memory lifeboat sits moored in the harbour next to a gangway, with the harbour, sea wall, and busy quay

Fish, chips, and a broken-down yacht

Whitby lifeboat crew were called into action onboard your Launch a Memory lifeboat when reports came in of a broken-down yacht in nearby Scarborough. The crew launched their lifeboat and made their way 5 miles down the coast to locate the casualty vessel. A tow was secured and your lifeboat towed the casualty back to Scarborough Harbour. The lifeboat crew had time to stop and refuel on some fish and chips before making the journey back to Whitby where they soon were ready to launch again whenever needed.

Whitby RNLI volunteers with the Henry Freeman sculpture, artist Emma Stothard and Lesley Jackson, a descendant of Henry, at Khyber Pass. A grassy bank and cliffs are in the background.

Whitby's new Henry Freeman sculpture

When thinking of ways to commemorate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary in 2024, Whitby Station Mechanic Richard Dowson had an idea of creating a sculpture for the local community and visitors to enjoy.

The result is this incredible wire sculpture of Whitby lifeboat legend Henry Freeman, which stands proudly on Khyber Pass. It was created by local artist Emma Stothard and generously funded by Lesley Jackson (née Freeman) – a descendant of Henry.

Welcome home Lois-Ivan!

On Sunday 11 June 2023, your Launch a Memory lifeboat arrived at Whitby after a 3½-day voyage from our All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset. Upon its arrival, the lifeboat and all the names it carries were bathed in glorious sunshine, making its emotional welcome from volunteers and the local Whitby community even more poignant. You can watch your lifeboat’s arrival in this video. Regrettably, we couldn't promote the event or encourage visiting the station due to capacity limitations for supporters.

After 3 months of intensive training on the new Shannon, it was time to say goodbye to the station’s faithful Trent.

View video

Launch a Memory event

It was an absolute honour and a privilege to host many of you at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, so you could see your Whitby lifeboat and your loved one’s name upon it. The event weekends on 20–21 May and 3–4 June 2023 were joyous occasions, and it was truly heartwarming to hear the stories you shared.

If you couldn't make the event, don't worry! We made sure to capture all the excitement in a short video. It's a delightful recap of the unforgettable moments we experienced together.

View video

Get the most from Launch a Memory

Image of the search to find a loved one's name on the Whitby Lifeboat

Find your loved one's name

Use our online tool to locate the precise location of your loved one's name on the letters and numbers of Whitby’s lifeboat.

Start search

A side view of the Launch a Memory decal on the Whitby Shannon class lifeboat

Launch a Memory photo prints and wall art

You can now purchase a lifesaving printed keepsake to commemorate the special person you've remembered on the Whitby Shannon class lifeboat.

Design-wise, you can choose the individual letter or number that your loved one's name is in or the full lifeboat decal.

Browse the Launch a Memory Whitby prints

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 celebrating their or their loved one’s connection to the RNLI.

Add a dedication

3 male RNLI crew members stand next to a body of water

Create a tribute fund for your loved one

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