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Exmouth RNLI volunteers captured by The Lifeboat Station Project

Lifeboats News Release

On 7 September, Photographer Jack Lowe visited Exmouth lifeboat station to record the 21st century boathouse, Shannon class lifeboat and Crew volunteers with a Victorian camera.

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Jack plans to visit all 237 RNLI lifeboat stations in Britain and Ireland, photographing each station along with the crew and Coxswain/Senior Helm using Wet Plate Collodion, a Victorian process that allows him to record stunning images on glass.

The ambitious project is likely to take three to five years to complete. Jack, who lives in Newcastle upon Tyne, travels in 'Neena' — a decommissioned NHS ambulance purchased on eBay and converted into a mobile darkroom.

The day’s activity was also filmed by the charity to explain the process of making a picture. The RNLI Film and Image team chose Exmouth as a venue with a state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn and a 21st century boathouse to contrast with 19th century photographic techniques.

During the day, Jack and his assistant ‘Hen’ (Ian Henderson) produced four photographs: the boathouse; Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson; identical twin Crew volunteers, Roy and Andy Stott and finally, 22 Crew and operational volunteers who were available on the day. As each picture was made, volunteers were invited into ‘Neena’ to watch a portrait of themselves developing before their eyes.

Jack, grandson of Dad’s Army actor Arthur Lowe said:

‘We had fantastic support and hospitality from the volunteers, it was much appreciated. Hen and I stayed to watch them land on the beach after their fortnightly Shannon exercise that evening – something I’ve always wanted to see ‘in real life’. It was a perfect ending to a seamlessly busy day.’ 

The photographs will ultimately be showcased in an exhibition and book, both of which are set to be fundraisers for the charity that saves lives at sea.


Notes to Editors

  • 50 limited edition prints are available to pre-order on the Devon page of www.lifeboatstationproject.com 
  • The video of the Project is currently being edited and will be available on the RNLI video library soon. Please contact us if you would like the link. 

Photos:

PR140916-1 Ambrotype glass plate of Crew and Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn. 

PR140916-2 RNLI filming reaction of Crew looking at the developed plate

PR140916-3 Jack Lowe in ‘Neena’ developing Exmouth Crew photograph


For more information please telephone Emma Tarling, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or email: [email protected].

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Emma Tarling
Lifeboat Press Officer, Exmouth Lifeboat Station

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