Swanage lifeboat memory boards
The new boards will duplicate the names on the lifeboat.
Swanage lifeboat’s team is hoping to reward fund-raisers with new information boards being proposed for the town station.
They will display the names of those who gave to a campaign which has already topped 10,000 names for inclusion on the Swanage RNLI, George Thomas Lacy.
The Swanage vessel was the eight of the Shannon class lifeboats in the RNLI fleet to join the campaign – additional names will be added to a third decal on the roof of the lifeboat’s wheelhouse.
Everyone who supports the campaign will receive a personalised digital certificate for each name, email updates about the lifeboat and an opportunity to purchase a ticket to see the Swanage lifeboat at a special event at the all-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole later this month.
The event, for Launch a Memory Swanage supporters only – will take place on 11,12,13 September, and 18,19, 20 September 2026. The day will include light refreshments and a visit to the RNLI College.
The RNLI has just applied for planning permission for the new boards, Purbeck stone walls and an air source heat pump.
The RNLI say the additions will improve the area outside the Peveril Point Road frontage – while promoting its fund-raising memory board campaign.
The application to Dorset Council says the organisation will replace sections of existing metal guard rail and add an air source heat pump at the rear of the building.
According to the supporting planning documents, the decals are too small to be easily read on the lifeboat itself, so the RNLI wants to create replica signs where visitors and supporters can view the names more easily at the station.
The RNLI says the boards will be safer fixed to the new walls rather than the existing railings because of their size at the exposed, windy location.
The application also proposes installing an air source heat pump at the back of the lifeboat station, outside an existing external store. The new unit would be more than 10 metres from the nearest residential building.
A planning agent, acting for the RNLI, says the external changes are minimal and in keeping with the existing building, while improving the appearance of the hardstanding outside the station entrance. The agent says the heat pump would improve internal comfort for RNLI crew, while the new signage would benefit visitors by encouraging interaction and awareness of the RNLI operation in Swanage.