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.

Watch highlights from the legacy lifeboat event

You can now watch highlights from the legacy lifeboat event in a special video.

Thank you so much to everyone who came to the event – we loved meeting you and hearing the stories you shared about your loved ones. If you couldn’t make it, we really hope this video makes you feel part of the magic.

Please note: This video contains stories about loved ones whose names are on the lifeboat, some of which people may find upsetting.

A close-up shot of the side of Kilkeel’s new Shannon class lifeboat Bobby Cameron. The name of the boat ‘RNLB Bobby Cameron’ is printed on the side of the lifeboat.

Lifesaving keepsakes

You can now buy lifesaving keepsakes in memory of your special person whose name appears on the Kilkeel legacy lifeboat. These keepsakes are a lovely way to keep the memory of the person you miss close to home.

Design-wise, you can choose a photo print that features the individual letter or number that your loved one's name is in, or the full lifeboat decal. You can find the location of your loved one’s name on the lifeboat by using our name finder tool.

Every purchase will help save lives at sea because 30% of the profit will be donated to the RNLI and used wherever the need is greatest. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee you will see your loved one's name in every image or product as the writing may be too small – as a guide, names on individual letter products with an image size of A4 (210x297mm) or above should be legible.

Buy Kilkeel keepsakes

The Kilkeel crew are standing in a line in front of their new Shannon class lifeboat Bobby Cameron 13-57. They are at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, for the lifeboat’s bell ringing ceremony.

Your legacy lifeboat's name

The name of your legacy lifeboat is Bobby Cameron. Bobby’s sister Margaret has lovingly dedicated this new Shannon class lifeboat to her brother to honour his memory.

As well as paying tribute to Bobby, this legacy lifeboat will honour those who have left a gift in their Will to the RNLI. We’ll be proud to display your loved one’s name alongside the names of many others on this special lifeboat.

Kilkeel’s new Shannon class was officially welcomed into the RNLI fleet at its bell ringing ceremony in July. It took place at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, where the lifeboat was built by a talented team of engineers and technicians. The ceremony was a wonderful opportunity for the volunteers to celebrate their new lifeboat and see it on the water for the very first time.

The Kilkeel legacy lifeboat name finder tool webpage. The background of the webpage includes a photo of the lifeboat on the water, as well as the lifeboat’s number (13-57) in large font. There is a search bar that supporters can use to type in their loved one’s name so they can find where it appears on the lifeboat.

Find your loved one's name

To make it quicker and easier for you to find your loved one’s name on the day, you can use our online name finder tool before the event. Simply type in your loved one’s full name and you’ll be able to see which letter or number of the lifeboat’s decal their name is in, and which side of the lifeboat their name is on.

Please note: The name must be entered exactly as shown on your legacy lifeboat certificate, unless we have agreed changes with you directly. For example, John Smith, John A Smith, John Andrew Smith or John ‘Smithy’ Smith.

If you need help with finding your loved one’s name, please email us at [email protected]. There will also be printed banners of the lifeboat’s decal at the event – and we’ll be there to help you too!

Use the name finder tool

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.

More about your lifeboat's home

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.

Learn more about leaving a gift in your 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.

Add a dedication