RNLI 200 Voices

In an age of selfies, photographer Jack Lowe uses Victorian methods on his quest to capture lifeboat crew from every RNLI lifeboat station. He tells us why For a 200-year-old institution, it’s fitting that photographer Jack Lowe’s Lifeboat Station Project allows us to see the modern work of the RNLI through a historical lens – quite literally. In 2015, Jack set out on a 10-year mission in his mobile darkroom – a converted ambulance he aptly named Neena – to photograph crew members at all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations. Eschewing contemporary methods, he uses a 170-year-old process known as wet collodion – something Jack calls ‘mobile-gearbox photography’. It’s a painstaking, multi-staged task, but the results are worth it. Jack has so far captured lifesavers at 158 lifeboat stations – many volunteers are moved by the photographs, sometimes to tears. In this episode, Jack talks about how old techniques can reveal new perspectives. You can view many of the photographs taken for the Lifeboat Station Project at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Women of the RNLI runs 2 March-1 December 2024. To book tickets, visit: rmg.co.uk Learn more about the Lifeboat Station Project at: lifeboatstationproject.com 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

At the RNLI, we don’t just answer calls for help. Alison Murphy on the privilege of hearing from our supporters Phone the RNLI to ask a question, make a donation or just have a chat, and you’ll speak to Alison or one of her 26-strong team. For more than 20 years, the Supporter Experience Manager has been one of the friendly, compassionate voices answering your calls. From Christmas Day companionship to lunch with royalty, Alison explains why this is no ordinary call-centre job. She shares some of her most memorable conversations with the kind people who power the RNLI – and remembers the greatest test faced by her team in the sudden shock of the Covid-19 lockdown. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

When Dom Jackson went missing while kayaking in 2017, a 5-day search ensued. Since his death, his sister Ellie has called on others to take vital steps to keep themselves safe at sea It wasn’t unusual for Dom to head off on an outdoor adventure - he had an adventurous spirit - but when he failed to return home after a lone kayaking trip, Ellie knew it was serious. Lost at sea, in freezing conditions, his body was found by the RNLI after a massive search, bringing Ellie both despair and relief that he’d been brought home. In this moving episode, Ellie talks about her determination for something positive to come from her brother’s tragic loss. She set up a charity, Plan B, to encourage adventurers to think about what they’d do if the unexpected happens, including raising awareness about Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), which make it easier to be found in an emergency. If Dom had carried one, Ellie says, the outcome could have been different. Ellie is an author and has written a children’s book, Sami’s Beach Rescue, about staying safe while swimming. You can download a free eBook and find her other titles at wildtribeheroes.com Learn more about Ellie's Plan B charity at planbcharity.org 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

To survive for over 4 hours in freezing waters, two friends turn their thoughts to home Benny Thomson remembers 25 November 2012 as the day that changed his life forever. It would set him on a new career path, and on a course to volunteer beside his rescuers at Broughty Ferry RNLI. On an ill-fated jet ski trip, lifelong friends Benny and Gavin found themselves in the ‘washing machine’ waters of Abertay Sands. In this emotional episode, Benny shares what went through their minds as hope of rescue faded with the light. Hear how the pair fought the odds to stay afloat, remembering their loved ones waiting at home – and find out why a sweet rhyme will always stay with them. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Hallmark Productions Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

After the Penlee lifeboat disaster, the RNLI’s collection boxes overflowed with donations. Val Nixon MBE fought through ice and snow to help keep up with the outpouring of generosity The winter of 1981 was one of the coldest on record. Snow and ice meant the RNLI closed the north-east office early for Christmas. But, on the morning after the Penlee disaster on 19 December, Val Nixon managed to get through the severe weather to open the office and help. Even though they were hundreds of miles from where the disaster happened, Val recalls how generous supporters in the area wanted to fundraise in any way they could. She talks about the tremendous kindness people showed to the RNLI after that disaster – one of many incredible fundraising initiatives she’s been part of in her lifelong career with the charity. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The late John Sharp’s gift to the RNLI honours his remarkable family history in helping to save lives at sea When John Sharp passed away in 2019, he left a generous gift to the Charities Aid Foundation and wrote a letter to his brother, Anthony, with a list of charities to consider as beneficiaries – one of which was the RNLI. Anthony shares how, in his retirement, John had researched the Sharp family tree, which revealed that his ancestor (also named John Sharp) had commissioned one of Lionel Lukin’s patented ‘unimmergible boats’ in 1786. This helped the local community on the north-east coast to be better equipped to face the extreme dangers of helping shipwrecked sailors at sea. With this fascinating family history in mind, Anthony talks about how the family settled on the RNLI as the charity to benefit from John’s legacy. He also reveals the exciting news that in 2024, a new Shannon class lifeboat, funded by John’s estate and carrying the name John Sharp, will be launched. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The RNLI’s Artwork Manager reveals the painstaking work that goes into colourising the charity’s archive photos, and reveals the stories behind three of them Extraordinary stories from ordinary people deserve to be remembered. And 200 Voices is one way in which the RNLI is ensuring that these stories are not forgotten. But it’s not the only way. David Constant leads the RNLI's Artwork team - who usually lay out the charity's communications and campaigns and prepare them for print. But with a big anniversary on the horizon, he faced a new kind of task. Over 2 centuries, the RNLI has amassed quite a photographic collection. In this episode, David shares the stories behind some of these archive images and explains the careful process that goes into colourising them as part of the charity’s bicentenary activity. View the lovingly restored images discussed in this episode at RNLI.org/BirthdayPhotos A photographic exhibition celebrating the vital role that women have played in saving lives at sea runs 2 March–1 December 2024 at the National Maritime Museum, London. Women of the RNLI showcases images captured using Victorian glass-plate technology, and is the work of Jack Lowe. To listen to Jack Lowe's 200 Voices interview, search episode 192: Talking Pictures 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200