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.
To produce the decals, we input all names into software that helps to arrange them in the shape of the letters and numbers. 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. If there are too many gaps there is a chance the lifeboat's decal won't appear as clearly as it should.
Due to the intricacies of the shapes of the numbers and lettering, and requirement to move names around, it is difficult to accommodate requests to keep names together. We really appreciate your support and understanding.
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). Names added today will appear on the sides.
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 - e.g. 'John David Smith'
- Titles - e.g. 'Captain John Smith'
- Special characters commonly used in names, such as accented letters (i.e. 'Zoë', 'José'), and apostrophes and quotation marks (I.e. 'John O’Connor', 'Jane 'Janey' 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 symbols that are not typically part of names, e.g. 'Johnny!'
- Submissions that have additional information such as numbers and locations - e.g. 'John Smith Swanage 1952'
- The name of a group or company - e.g. 'Swanage 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.
Celebration Certificates
If you are donating in celebration of someone special rather than in remembrance, 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 who are not in the UK or Ireland.
Instead, you can make your donation and add a name by contacting our Supporter Experience 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 Swanage lifeboat dedications page
We have decided to increase the suggested donation to add a name to £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.
The costs of running our lifesaving service are rising. Essentials like fuel, energy and kit are becoming significantly more expensive - meaning every pound or euro donated now buys less than it did before. This increase will help to cover the growing costs of funding our lifesaving service.
We understand that everyone is experiencing increases in the cost of living and we are immensely grateful to our supporters, who already do so much for the RNLI and who have continued to support the RNLI through challenging times. Without their support, our lifesavers could not rescue the thousands of people who need our help each year. It's important to note that the suggested donation amount is not mandatory or binding. You have the freedom to contribute any amount you feel comfortable with and can afford.
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.
One final email will be sent for you to check the name before it's added to the decal. 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. This is why it is so important to check the name at the point of submission.
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 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 72 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 72 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).
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, Dorset 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 Swanage 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 buy 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.
Swanage Launch a Memory
At present, the campaign will run until Spring 2026, to allow us to collect as many names as possible.
The names will be added in Summer 2026, 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 Swanage updates page.
Thank you for your support!
*Please note, dates are subject to change
Swanage 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 by email, and on the Launch a Memory Swanage 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. You can be proud of the lives your donation to Launch a Memory is helping to save.
The Shannon class lifeboat has been an essential lifesaver in Swanage since it arrived at the station in 2016. During its first 9 years of service, it has launched 337 times, saved 18 lives, aided 435 people, and spent 686 hours at sea. The unwavering support of our community is deeply appreciated in making this possible.
Statistics correct April 2025.
Other Launch a Memory lifeboats
Possible Launch a Memory lifeboat stations are presented by our Operations Team, which then go through an analysis to select the next Launch a Memory lifeboat. This analysis includes a review of the lifeboat, station, location accessibility, station tours and visit opportunities, and operational considerations.
Whilst we cannot guarantee anything yet, we anticipate the upcoming Launch a Memory boat arriving 2026. 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.