Looe RNLI Volunteers Capture History in Special Photo Moment for 200th Anniversary

Looe’s Lifesaving Crew Joins Nationwide RNLI Photographic Event

In a poignant moment of reflection and celebration, volunteers from Looe’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station took part in a unique photographic event marking the charity’s 200th anniversary. The event, titled “One Moment for One Crew,” aimed to create a lasting visual record of the dedicated individuals who continue to play a crucial role in the RNLI’s lifesaving mission.

A Moment Frozen in Time

As part of this nationwide effort, RNLI volunteers and staff across the UK and Ireland were encouraged to capture a photograph of themselves, their crew, or their team at precisely 18:24 on 1 August 2024. This symbolic time reflects the year 1824, when the RNLI was first established.

The Looe lifeboat station’s Albatross boathouse served as the backdrop for this special moment, as the town was already abuzz with a Looe carnival week concert. The volunteers gathered the evening before, lining the slipway with the charity’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II in view, while the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II rested on Little Beach.

The photograph features a diverse group of Looe’s RNLI volunteers, including Lifeboat Operations Manager David Haines and duty launch authority Brian Bowdler, both of whom have been with the station since its re-establishment in 1992. Also captured in the photo are senior helms David Jackman and Toby Bray, who joined the crew in the same year, along with the next generation of lifesavers like Clive Palfrey and his daughter Amber, as well as Matt Jaycock and his nephew Will.

A Historic Coincidence

This carefully timed photograph also carries historical significance. It was taken exactly 94 years after Looe’s original lifeboat station closed on 31 July 1930. Reflecting on this, David Haines commented, “It is great to see our current team lining the slipway, with some of the original 1992/93 crew still volunteering with the station, alongside our latest volunteer crew, all continuing that early lifesaving tradition.”

Honouring the Past and Inspiring the Future

Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director overseeing the 200th anniversary programmes, highlighted the importance of this photographic event, stating that it captures a record of everyone currently involved in the RNLI’s lifesaving work. “During our 200th anniversary year, we have been remembering our past, celebrating the lifesaving service we provide today, and aiming to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters,” said Anjie.

The RNLI’s legacy of saving lives at sea is unparalleled, with over 146,000 lives saved since its inception in 1824. This equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years—a testament to the courage and dedication of its volunteers and staff.

The RNLI’s Lifesaving Legacy

Founded on 4 March 1824 in a London tavern by Sir William Hillary, the RNLI was born out of a need to address the frequent shipwrecks Hillary witnessed while living on the Isle of Man. Over two centuries later, the charity now operates 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland and maintains seasonal lifeguards on 238 beaches.

The Looe RNLI volunteers’ participation in the “One Moment for One Crew” event not only celebrates the charity’s storied past but also serves as an inspiration for future generations who will continue this vital work.

For more information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary and its ongoing programmes, visit RNLI.org/200.

Photo: One Moment One Crew – Looe RNLI volunteers on the slipway, outside the Albatross boathouse – Credit: Polly Stock Photography.