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Exmouth's Shannon class lifeboat cruises along the sea at sunset on calm seas and partly clouded skies

Your legacy lifeboat updates

Welcome to your updates page for the Kilkeel legacy lifeboat. Here you can keep track of the boat’s progress, learn about the all-weather Shannon class and much more.
Kilkeel Lifeboat Station in Co Down

Mark Speight

Kilkeel Lifeboat Station

Your legacy lifeboat will be stationed at Kilkeel in Co Down, Northern Ireland. Established in 1986, the lifeboat station covers an area with one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK. The station originally had a D class lifeboat, before an Atlantic 21 B class lifeboat was placed on service there in 1992. The crew at Kilkeel currently operate an Atlantic 85 B class lifeboat Frank William Walton.

The all-weather capabilities of the Shannon class legacy lifeboat will ensure the crew can launch into any conditions, allowing them to brave the roughest seas to save lives.

A worker applies the RNLI decal sticker with legacy names included onto the hull of a Shannon class lifeboat

Legacies help save lives

The RNLI is dedicated to saving lives at sea but, as an independent charity, relies on the generosity of the public and the commitment of thousands of volunteers.

Gifts in Wills help to provide the kit and training that protect RNLI volunteer crews at sea, and 6 in every 10 lifeboat launches are only possible due to the extraordinary kindness of supporters leaving a gift to the RNLI in their Will.

How the Shannon came to the rescue in 2024

604 LAUNCHES

1,440 TOTAL HOURS THE SHANNON FLEET WAS ON SERVICE

703 PEOPLE HELPED AROUND THE UK AND IRELAND

42% OF ALL SHANNON LAUNCHES WERE IN DARKNESS

Exmouth's Shannon class lifeboat cruises along calm seas as the sun sets behind the coastline

Leave a dedication

We would love to hear the heart-warming stories about your loved one whose name will be on the side of the Kilkeel legacy lifeboat - and celebrate their connection to the RNLI.

To help share your stories and 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.