Penlee Lifeboat Station Celebrates RNLI’s 200th Anniversary with Special Photo

On Thursday, 1st August, RNLI volunteers from Penlee Lifeboat Station in Cornwall participated in a unique photographic moment to commemorate the charity’s 200th anniversary year. The event, named “One Moment for One Crew,” aimed to create a photographic record of those involved with the RNLI, marking this significant milestone in the charity’s history.

Capturing the Moment

Founded in 1824, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution asked its volunteers and staff across the UK and Ireland to take a photo of themselves, their crew, or their team at precisely 18:24 on 1 August 2024. The participants included lifeguards on beaches, lifeboat crews at stations, fundraisers at events, and volunteers in museums. These photos were uploaded to an online portal and will be compiled into a montage image, representing the diverse roles within the RNLI.

Cornwall’s Lifesaving Heroes

Representatives from various RNLI communities in Cornwall, including lifeboat crews, lifeguards, fundraisers, shop volunteers, and staff, took part in this historic event. The RNLI has maintained a lifeboat presence in Mount’s Bay for two centuries, with stations at Penzance, Mousehole, and now Newlyn. Among those photographed were Coxswain Patch Harvey and his 2024 crew of volunteers, continuing the life-saving operations performed by Penlee’s predecessors, including those who perished in the tragic loss of the Solomon Browne.

Celebrating 200 Years of Service

The RNLI celebrated its bicentenary on 4 March this year, with this photographic event being one of several organised to mark the occasion. Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, overseeing the anniversary programmes, highlighted the importance of the charity’s people. She stated, “The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for 200 years thanks to its incredible people – the courageous lifeboat crews and lifeguards who put their own lives at risk to save others; the dedicated fundraisers who raise the income to power those rescues; the committed volunteers who give their own time in a range of other roles such as giving out water safety advice or helping to run our retail shops and museums, and the staff who provide vital support to our volunteers.”

Inspiring Future Generations

Anjie Rook further emphasised the goal of the “One Moment for One Crew” event, saying, “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. One Moment for One Crew is very much about celebrating the people of today’s RNLI and, we hope, inspiring those future generations who will take the RNLI into its third century of lifesaving.”

This special photographic moment not only celebrates the RNLI’s rich history but also underscores the ongoing dedication and bravery of its volunteers and staff, ensuring the charity’s lifesaving mission continues for many years to come.

Photo:  Penlee Lifeboat crew from One Moment for One Crew – Credit RNLI/Phil Monckton