Photographer Jack Lowe focuses on north Wales to continue RNLI project

Jack Lowe is undertaking an ambitious project to visit all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations in the UK and Republic of Ireland, capturing stunning glass images along the way. He has already photographed crew members at seven lifeboat stations in south and west Wales and took his Victorian camera and developing equipment back to another seven stations from Penarth to Aberystwyth in 2016.

Now Jack, grandson of Dad’s Army actor, Arthur Lowe is in north Wales. Jack began his mission at Trearddur-Bay Lifeboat Station over the weekend. He will move on to Holyhead tomorrow (2 April) Moelfre on the 5th and then Beaumaris on Saturday, 6 April.

He is looking forward to photographing the volunteer crew at Conwy on 9 April, Llandudno on 11 April and then finishing off in Rhyl on Sunday, 14 April.

Jack has admired the RNLI since he was a little boy and says the project allows him to ‘follow his heart’.

The talented photographer has been a lifelong supporter of the charity, joining Storm Force (the RNLI’s club for children) at the age of 10 and raising over £6,000 for charity by completing the Great North Run three years in a row. Photography has also been a strong passion of his, ever since he received a Kodak camera from his Grandma when he was nine.

As part of the RNLI Lifeboat Station Project, Jack plans to visit all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations, photographing the breath-taking views from each station along with the crew members. He will be using Wet Plate Collodion, a Victorian process that allows him to record stunning images on glass. The project is in its fifth year and predicted to take approximately eight years to complete.

Jack says: ‘I’ve been looking forward to bringing The Lifeboat Station Project back to Wales for a long time. It’ll be great to experience the warm Welsh welcome once again and to add to the growing collection of photographs documenting the RNLI volunteers in this stunning part of the world.

His unique glass photographs are to be developed in a decommissioned NHS ambulance, which he purchased on eBay and transformed into a mobile darkroom.

Jack added: ’From an early age I knew I wanted to either be a photographer or a lifeboat crew member. This trip has given me the opportunity to fulfil both my dreams. It’s fantastic to see how many people have been so interested and engaged with the project.’

‘Some of the images I have captured so far have been regarded as mesmerizing and have even rendered some crew members to tears!’



You will be able to check the confirmed times of the itinerary by following the link to the Project’s interactive Mission Map: http://lifeboatstationproject.com/stations/

You can also follow Jack’s RNLI photographic mission on Facebook (fb.com/LifeboatStationProject), on Twitter (@ProjectLifeboat) or on the Project’s dedicated site (lifeboatstationproject.com).

Media Contacts

For further information, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager in Wales on 07786 668829 or email [email protected].

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.