One Moment for One Crew: Exmouth RNLI volunteers mark 200th with special photo
On Thursday 1 August, Exmouth RNLI volunteers 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.
Some 100 Exmouth RNLI representatives including lifeboat crew, lifeguards, fundraisers, shop and visits volunteers, former volunteers and our partners, HM Coastguard, gathered on Exmouth Beach for the group photo taken at 18:24 on 1.8.24, at the same time as thousands of volunteers and staff came together around the UK and Ireland.
A parade of the Exmouth RNLI volunteers then made their way to Exmouth Quay with the inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II, and the bridge was raised for the all-weather lifeboat, R & J Welburn to enter the marina.
A free night of music followed for everyone around the marina. The Exmouth Shanty Men sang at The Beach Pub which lay on a BBQ. Richard James and Adam in the Hat performed from on board Stuart Line Cruises’ Pride of Exmouth to the crowds around the marina.
Steve Hockings Thompson, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Coxswain and Exmouth Marina harbour master said: ‘This has been a great way to bring together Exmouth RNLI volunteers, our partners, HM Coastguard and the local community to mark 200 years of saving lives at sea.
‘We are grateful for our friends at The Beach and Stuart Line Cruises for helping to make this such a success.’
With Exmouth RNLI voluntary crew always on call, whatever the circumstances, the all weather lifeboat was delayed in arriving at the marina as it responded to an incident but was soon stood down as someone swam out and pulled paddle boards back to shore. Then, later, when the party was in full swing, the inshore lifeboat responded to another incident with the all weather lifeboat standing by, involving two missing paddleboarders who managed to get themselves back to the beach safely.
Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, who is overseeing the RNLI’s 200th anniversary programmes, said: ‘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.
‘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.’
Notes to Editors
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. The photos will be uploaded to an online portal and will be used to create a montage image.
Media contacts
For further information contact please contact Alison Hogan, volunteer lifeboat officer at Exmouth Lifeboat Station on 07867 904498 or [email protected] Tom Dale, Regional Communications Manager (South West, Wales & West) 07977 157959 or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 more than 146,000 lives.
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.