The Trust…

the youth training vessel 50-001 undergoing trials prior to purchase in 2014. travelling towards the camera. Black & White.

The 50001 Youth Training Trust, is a Lowestoft based charity founded in 2014. Originally called the Thames Class Lifeboat Trust, the trust owns the historic Lowestoft built ex RNLI Thames class lifeboat “Rotary Service” (50-001) and aims to preserve and operate her as a youth training vessel.

The trust is built upon a core group of dedicated volunteers of all ages and from varying different backgrounds, but each with a passion for education, the maritime sector and the preservation of maritime heritage.

Working alongside other voluntary organisations and/or directly with the end user, the trust aims to offer the chance for young & disadvantaged individuals to come on board as a volunteer crew member, or to undertake short training courses carried out by qualified instructors. Thus empowering them with the qualifications and experience to potentially follow a career in the maritime sector.

3D Scanning an EX-RNLI Lifeboat - Featuring the 50001 Youth Training Trust.

The Trusts Aims

The 50001 Youth Training Trust exists in order to:

Advance in life and help develop young people aged between 12-25yrs from ‘vulnerable’ backgrounds within the uk through:

  • Provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life.
  • Providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate within society as mature and responsible individuals.

Preserve, operate, maintain and exhibit for the benefit of the public the historic Lowestoft built lifeboat 50-001 in particular but not exclusively by:

  • Acting as a community resource offering maritime and team building training for young people and under privileged individuals.
  • Operating the vessel as a floating museum, In Lowestoft and at events in other ports within the UK and Europe.