My name is Vivien Clowes. In 2024, my husband Steve was lost at sea. Despite the extraordinary efforts of the RNLI, police, and volunteers, Steve was never found. The search was vast and determined, but the technology available — including side-scan sonar — wasn’t strong enough to scan the seabed effectively in the conditions we faced. No one should have to live with the pain of not knowing. That’s why I’m launching this fundraiser — not just in Steve’s memory, but for every family who has waited by the shore, hoping for answers.

The RNLI saves lives at sea every day. But even they don’t always have access to the most advanced underwater search tools — especially those capable of scanning the seabed in deep or complex marine environments. There are technologies that can help: sonar-equipped ROVs, AI-powered underwater scanners, and autonomous mapping systems. These tools exist — but they’re expensive, and not yet widely available to the RNLI.

This fundraiser aims to help change that — by supporting the RNLI’s Innovation Team, who are already working with the University of Cambridge’s IfM Engage to explore and trial life-saving technologies.

Funds raised will support the RNLI Innovation Team in trialling or acquiring seabed scanning technology. They may help fund a pilot project or equipment partnership with the UK Centre for Seabed Mapping (UK CSM) or university researchers. This campaign also aims to raise awareness of the need for better tools in search and recovery at sea, and to honour Steve’s memory by helping others find closure.

This is for the RNLI crews who go out in all weathers, risking their lives to save others. It’s for the families who wait for news. It’s for the future — so that when someone is lost at sea, we have the best possible chance of bringing them home.

Donate what you can — every pound brings us closer to making this vision real. Share this page with your networks, especially those connected to the sea, the RNLI, or marine technology. If you work in marine tech, search and rescue, or media — please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.