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Both Harwich lifeboats launched prior to commemorative photo

Lifeboats News Release

One Moment for One Crew: RNLI people from Harwich take part in special photo moment to mark the charity’s 200th anniversary year

RNLI/Adam Prescott

Harwich One Crew, One Moment photo
On Thursday 1 August, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) representatives from Harwich participated in a special photo moment – One Moment for One Crew – to create a photographic record of those involved with the lifesaving charity in this, its 200th anniversary year.

The charity, which was founded in 1824, asked its volunteers and staff from around the UK and Ireland to take a photo of themselves, their crew or their team, at as close to 18:24 on 1.8.24 as possible. Whether lifeguards on a beach, lifeboat crew at a station, fundraisers at an event, or volunteers in a museum – all involved with the charity have been encouraged to submit a photo of themselves representing their RNLI role at wherever they may be on this date and time.

Representatives including lifeboat crews, fundraisers, shop volunteers, water safety volunteers and staff from RNLI communities in Harwich have taken part. The photos have been uploaded to an online portal and will be used to create a montage image.

Only a few hours prior to 18:24 both Harwich lifeboats were launched after a yacht called for assistance with 3 people on board, just off Felixstowe. Due to the tide and sea conditions both boats were launched to assist the yacht to Shotley Harbour. The Lifeboat Operations Manager, Adam Prescott said “this perfectly demonstrated the commitment of our volunteer crews to helping those in distress at sea, and the family spirt which exists within not just the lifeboat crew but also all the other volunteers at Harwich” Following the photo, some members of the crew took to the local pub for a well earned drink in the sunshine.

The RNLI celebrated its 200th anniversary on 4 March this, and this photographic moment is one of a range of events and programmes which the charity has organised to mark its bicentenary.

Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, who is overseeing the RNLI’s 200th anniversary programmes, says:

‘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.

‘We have encouraged anyone who has some form of involvement with the RNLI to participate in this special One Moment for One Crew photographic event, to capture a record of everyone who, at this moment in time, is playing some part in the RNLI’s lifesaving work, continuing its legacy and securing its future.

‘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.’

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

Founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the past two centuries. Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on 238 lifeguarded beaches around the UK. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.


Notes to Editors
• The photos included with this are available for download and use.
• For interview requests please contact the RNLI press office on the details below.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact Adam Prescott, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer 07881 286312 [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Communications Manager [email protected]

Or, the RNLI Press Office: [email protected]



RNLI/Adam Prescott

Harwich Lifeboat Crew

RNLI/Adam Prescott

Harwich volunteers from our shop, fundraisers and water safety.

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, Twitter 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.

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