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Launch a Memory

NOVEMBER viewing dates

Each Saturday and Sunday, 11.00am to 3.00pm

Exmouth RNLI’s Shannon Class lifeboat, R and J Welburn, has returned home with its new decals proudly displayed—ready to be viewed by our valued LAM supporters.

We aim to keep the lifeboat in the boathouse as much as possible. This helps us carry out maintenance more efficiently, since all the necessary tools are on site and the hull stays clean and free from marine growth—keeping the boat in top condition.

However, there may be times when the boat is moored in the Marina or on the wet mooring, just outside the Marina. This can happen for a few reasons, such as when the tractor (used to launch the boat) is undergoing scheduled maintenance, or if we know we won’t have the right crew available to launch from the boathouse during a certain period.

We’ll do our best to keep this page updated whenever the boat is planned to be out of the boathouse. Please note, though, that emergency call-outs (known as “shouts”) can happen at any time, and we can’t always predict them!

To find out where R and J Welburn is, at any time, click here and use option 3.

We know many people will be eager to see the lifeboat newly returned to Exmouth and proudly displaying the names of loved ones. There are three ways to visit:

• Drop-in viewing – 10.30am to 3.30pm daily from Saturday 26 July until the end of August, subject to operational requirements. No booking required – enjoy limited access to the boathall, where you can view the lifeboat’s decals and find your loved one’s name. An RNLI volunteer will be on hand to help you with the location of your loved one’s name and answer any questions.
• VIP station tour experience – limited availability. For a more exclusive and in-depth visit, pre-book our strictly limited VIP guided tour. You’ll get full access to the station, a behind-the-scenes look at the RNLI’s lifesaving work, and an up-close view of the lifeboat. Book your VIP tour via Eventbrite
• You can also book a more limited tour of the station. See ‘Schools, Groups, Individuals’ below

There is a large sign at the lifeboat station of the wheelhouse roof displaying the names making up the ‘RNLI 13-03’. We will be putting up more permanent displays of the port and starboard decals once we obtain permission.

Exmouth is a busy operational lifeboat station so please be aware that the lifeboat may not be at the lifeboat station when you visit due to operational requirements.

The RNLI’s Launch a Memory campaign offers a lasting tribute to commemorate a loved one or celebrate someone still among us by having their name on an RNLI lifeboat. R and J Welburn, Exmouth’s Shannon-class lifeboat, is the latest Launch a Memory lifeboat. The appeal has raised over £1.08million for the RNLI, which will fund essential equipment and training required for the crews to continue saving lives at sea.

To find the location of a name on the lifeboat, please go to www.launchamemory.rnli.org.uk/exmouth

Schools, Groups, Individuals

All Tours MUST be pre-booked. Before making travel arrangements please wait for the Lifeboat Visits Officer to confirm your booking. This could take up to a week.

A group of dedicated volunteers provide free tours of the Lifeboat Station. These last about 30-45 minutes and take place on weekends, as follows:

SUMMER (April-October). 10:30am to 3:30pm

WINTER (November-March). 11:00am to 3:00pm

Additionally, Tour Guides will be on duty on weekdays at the same times during School Holidays as defined by Devon County Coucil. All tours are subject to Tour Guide availability and a schedule of tours is available in the Shop which is open 10am-5pm during the summer (April – October) and 11am to 4pm in the winter. There are three basic sections to the tour:

• Inshore Lifeboat
• All Weather Lifeboat
• Shannon Launch and Revovery System

The tour guides will take up to 15 people per tour guide on each tour.

• Children aged 0 to 4 years must have an adult for every 2 children.
• Children aged 4 to 7 years must have an adult for every 6 children.
• Children aged 8 to 11 years must have an adult for every 10 children
• Children aged 12 years and above must have an adult for every 15 children

We do not take any responsibility in supervising children.

If you would like to book a tour you can access the booking form by clicking here

Dedicated Group Tours for Schools and other Groups

We offer pre-arranged tours to schools, organisations, social groups and even large groups of family and friends during the week or at weekends, subject to operational requirements and volunteer availability throughout the year. Child/adult ratios must be in line with the safeguarding guidelines shown above.

The minimum number in any group is 6. Schools and groups with more than 6 children please see the Guidelines for schools

Please submit a visitors’ booking form, even at the start of any provisional enquiry.

This makes it much easier to establish what your needs are from the start and that you understand our terms and conditions. Upon receipt of a completed form, we will then contact you to discuss your proposed requirements.

The form is available here

After completing the on-line form click the box ‘Submit‘ and it will automatically be sent to visits@exmouthlifeboat.org.uk.

We have a high demand for Tours in the summer, so please book well in advance.

Please Note: For all visits, parking is available at the large council managed Foxholes car park opposite the Lifeboat Station – parking by the Lifeboat Station is for RNLI personnel only.