Frequently asked questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Launch a Memory.
These FAQs are in addition and subject to the Launch a Memory T&Cs. If any contradiction exists between the contents of these FAQs and the contents of the Launch a Memory T&Cs, then the contents of the T&Cs shall take priority.
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.
In general, names will be arranged in the order we receive them from supporters, but they’ll also be arranged in a way that best fits the shape of the decal.
If you’d like to request that names within your submission are kept together, please email us at [email protected], and we will do our best to accommodate this – but this is not guaranteed.
The name will appear within the decal that forms the letters and numbers on the lifeboat, either on the side of the lifeboat or wheelhouse (top of the lifeboat).
We can accept:
- More than one name per form submission. The online form allows up to 10 names to be added in one submission.
- Middle names – e.g. 'John David Smith'
- Titles – e.g. 'Captain John Smith'
We are unable to accept:
- Joint names – e.g. 'The Smiths' or '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 – e.g. 'John Smith!'
- Submissions that have additional information such as numbers and locations – e.g. 'John Smith Plymouth 1952'
- The name of a group or company – e.g. 'Plymouth RNLI Swimmers'
Absolutely. Although Launch a Memory is aimed at those with a loved one who is no longer with us, we have lots of supporters who add the name of someone who is still with us. We have had supporters add someone's name for a birthday present, anniversary and even a wedding gift!
Feel free to add:
- Your name
- A living family member or friend that you hold dearly
- 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.
If you are donating to celebrate a loved one, once you have submitted your name(s), you'll be given the opportunity to request a celebratory certificate via our Launch a Memory inbox. Please email [email protected] to request.
We appreciate your willingness to donate! However, we are currently unable to accept online donations from individuals located outside the UK and Ireland.
To make your donation and add your name, please contact our Supporter Experience team on 0300 300 9905.
As well as your loved one's name on the lifeboat, you'll receive:
- A personalised digital certificate, per name submitted, to print and proudly display
- Regular email updates
- A link to an online 'name finder'
- Access to a retail range specifically for your Launch a Memory lifeboat
- A link to a special Exmouth lifeboat dedications page
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 decal of the lifeboat. Once the submission is made, changes cannot be accommodated, so it's crucial to review the information thoroughly before finalising the entry. Please take the time to verify all details to avoid any potential discrepancies on the lifeboat decal.
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.
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 phone our Supporter Experience team on 0300 300 9905 (UK) / 01 511 9871 (Ireland) / (+)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 48 hours of the submission. We send these certificates out by email, as a PDF attachment when this is completed through the online form. These often end up in spam/junk folders.
If you still have not received your certificate after 48 hours, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or phone our Supporter Experience team on 0300 300 9905 (UK) / 01 511 9871 (Ireland) / (+)44 1202 336395 (from any other country).
Yes, you can! If you've gifted Launch a Memory for a loved one to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or another special occasion, you can request a celebration certificate.
Here's how:
- Complete your Launch a Memory submission.
- Email [email protected] and let us know you'd like a celebration certificate.
By default, certificates are issued as in memory certificates (in memory of those who have passed). However, the celebration certificate is a newer option designed for gifting to loved ones who are still with us.
While both styles look the same, the celebration certificate has slightly different wording and tone, making it suitable for these occasions.
The numbers and letters that will be made up of your loved one's names are called the 'decals'. We are hopeful to have onsite decal replicas that will allow you to see your loved one’s name 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 search and see your loved one's name on an online version of the decal.
Once you've made your donation and submitted your chosen name(s) and the campaign closes, we'll keep you informed about the possibility of attending an event in Poole to visit the lifeboat. But this is yet to be confirmed and subject to availability.
We will also let you know about any opportunities to see the lifeboat In Exmouth in the future too. We kindly ask that you don't contact the station 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, no. We anticipate there will be more supporters wishing to attend a viewing event than we can cater for, so we have to 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 the window for ticket applications opens, tickets will be available for timed slots on a first come, first served basis. You may apply for up to two tickets, per name submitted, up to a maximum of 8 tickets. There are so many supporters, like you, who want to see the lifeboat that we think a maximum of two tickets per name is reasonable, and we hope you do to.
There may be other opportunities to see your loved one’s name on the lifeboat in future, although we can’t make any promises about that 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 T&Cs.
Exmouth Launch a Memory
The campaign will run until spring to allow us to collect as many names as possible.
The names will be added in Summer 2025, and rest assured, all supporters will receive updates via email as the campaign progresses.
For the latest news and further details, you can also visit the Exmouth Updates pageThank you for your support!
Exmouth is a working lifeboat station; we kindly ask that you don’t contact the station directly or turn up hoping to see the lifeboat.
If you have any queries about Launch a Memory, please read our FAQs, email [email protected] or call our Supporter Experience Team on 0300 300 9905. Any opportunities to see the lifeboat in the future will be communicated to supporters via email, and the Launch a Memory Exmouth 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 Exmouth or Eyemouth, you can be proud of the lives your donation to Launch a Memory is helping to save.
The Shannon lifeboat at Exmouth is an essential lifesaver, having saved 11 lives, aided 128 individuals, spent 350 hours at sea, and launched 167 times. The unwavering support of our community is deeply appreciated in making this possible.
*correct as of Feb 2024
Other Launch a Memory lifeboats
The selection of LAM boats is determined through a process involving the asset allocation team, which considers operational requirements. Consequently, when the lifespan of an ILB or ALB nears its conclusion, a thorough evaluation is conducted by the team. This evaluation entails multiple iterations with asset allocation, considering factors such as the operational demands of various locations.
Whilst we cannot guarantee anything yet, we anticipate the upcoming Launch a Memory boat arriving next year. Stay tuned for forthcoming announcements.
We have webpages dedicated to the updates of each of the previous Launch a Memory lifeboats - Invergordon, Clifden, Wells, Anstruther, Whitby and Eric's Legend 13-40.