Isle of Wight RNLI Photography Competition launches for charity’s bicentenary
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution on the Isle of Wight is calling on Islanders and tourists to help the charity celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea by sending photographs of lifeboats or lifeboat stations along the coast this Easter.
The Isle of Wight RNLI Lifeboat Board launched its Bicentenary Photography Competition earlier this year and with categories for people of all ages it’s a chance for all the family to get snapping during the holidays next week or dig out their favourite RNLI images to be in with a chance of winning an A3 print and a bespoke tour around a lifeboat station.
Dr Roger Matthews, Bicentenary Co-ordinator for the IOW Lifeboat Board, said: ‘The competition is a chance to commemorate our brave crews past and present, celebrate the world-class lifesaving organisation we are today, and 146,000 lives saved, and inspire the crew, supporters and volunteers of tomorrow.
‘We know many of our supporters enjoy taking photographs and hope they will submit their favourite images to be showcased later in the year.’
There are plenty of opportunities to capture photographs from now until the deadline on 31st July 2024.
The Isle of Wight’s three stations are at Bembridge, Yarmouth and Cowes.
Collectively they have taken part in a total 5,501 launches and saved 1,731 lives since they opened.*
The theme of the competition is Island Seas - Splendour and safety. Its aim is to raise awareness of the RNLI and the beauty and the dangers of the coast around the Isle of Wight.
It is open to amateur photographers and there are three age categories: 12 and Under; Aged 13 to 17; and 18s and over.
Entrants can each submit three digital photos via the competition website: https://rnli200iowphotocomp.celebrationpage.org/.
Judging is in August and September by a panel consisting of professional photographers and the Chair of the Island Lifeboat Board.
Winners will be notified by 1st October 2024. Winner awards will be given for entries in the following categories: Best scenic image and Best Action Image.
All winning and commended entries will be professionally printed and displayed on public view at the Quay Arts galleries in Newport, Isle of Wight. Dates to be announced.
For terms and conditions visit: https://www.isleofwightlifeboatboard.org.uk/rnli-200-photo-rules/
The RNLI celebrated its 200th birthday earlier this month. The charity was founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and saw many shipwrecks. The RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history and its volunteer crews and kind donors help it to fulfil its original mission, to save every one no matter where they come from.
Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity including those created at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes which has its own open day and naming of the latest D class Lifeboat D-890 Bill Hall on May 26.
Notes to editors
- Photo Captions:
1. Yarmouth’s Severn Class All Weather Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) during the Round the Island Race. Credit Andrew Parish.
2. The stunning coast of the Isle of Wight captured by Jules Matthews.
- Isle of Wight Lifeboats and links to station web pages:
Bembridge Lifeboat Station: Tamar class All Weather Lifeboat Alfred Albert Williams and D Class Inshore Lifeboat Norman Harvey.
Cowes Lifeboat Station: B Class Inshore Lifeboat Sheena Louise.
Yarmouth Lifeboat Station: Severn Class All Weather Lifeboat Eric and Susan Hiscosk (Wanderer).
- The Isle of Wight Lifeboat Board was formed on 15 December 1859 to raise funds and call for the establishment of the Island’s first RNLI lifeboats at Brook and Brighstone. Now, it is looking forward to creating additional events and activities which will commemorate the rescues of the past, celebrate the work of today’s Lifeboat crews, and importantly, inspire the support and participation needed for the future.
- *Figures are for the existing three lifeboat stations and do not include figures for any closed stations on the Island.
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 142,700 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.