Rhyl RNLI volunteer crew have photo taken with vintage camera
Jack Lowe, of 'The Lifeboat Station project, called in to the station on Sunday 14 April 2019.
Jack's idea is to travel to all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland to photograph them, in order to preserve a vital aspect of our island nation’s culture for generations to come. And there’s a twist! Jack works as the Victorians used to, making the photographs on glass from his mobile darkroom — a decommissioned ambulance called Neena. His website is www.lifeboatstationproject.com.
By visiting every RNLI Lifeboat Station in the UK and Republic of Ireland, Jack is creating an unprecedented archive, preserving a vital aspect of our island nation’s culture for future generations. The Project is the first time anyone has tried to create a complete photographic record of every single lifeboat crew, so it will have enormous historic significance.
The photographs will ultimately be showcased in a stunning exhibition and book, both of which are set to be huge fundraisers for the RNLI.
The Lifeboat Station Project is currently scheduled to be completed in 2022. A selection of the work has already been acquired for a National Collection.
Jack started early on the Sunday, preparing the glass plates which were to be used to make the photos. Each shot is prepared with great precision and can take up to an hour to compose, take the shot, and process the result in Neena.
Coxswain martin Jones said 'The volunteer crew at Rhyl were thrilled to hear that Jack was visiting this station as the last one on his present section of the project. Jack is a great supporter of the RNLI, and we are very excited to see the results in the next few weeks. We wish Jack every success on his mission'
The attached photos were taken by Rhyl crew and also Jeff Nagel from Flint, who is following Jack, taking photos of the photographer!
More photos can be found on the station Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/pg/rhyllifeboat/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10157193738177566
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.
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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.