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Lifeboats on Call - part 2 of 1 2

by Mike McNamee Published 01/04/2011

The final exhibition covers four main areas

Fundraising - without this nothing happens, especially as the RNLI are not state supported; they require around £300,000 a day to keep the service operational. A wide range of helpers and organisers contribute to the regular fund-raising events.

Training - without this the crews cannot function effectively as the equipment and skills required are varied and complex. It takes considerable time and training to become an effective crew member. All the crew have to be capable of performing the jobs of the others in the team, to cover for accidents and emergencies while on service. Photographically this was a rich area because access was easier.

Operations - This was the trickiest area to capture on camera as it was restricted to the shore and slipway launches, and vessel recoveries. Safety rules do not allow the lifeboats to take passengers for obvious reasons! The photographers did, however, get some real-life action from the shores of the Mersey as a team made safe a drifting sailing boat in the river.

Station Life - the station is operated by volunteers, who also have families and work life, which provided an opportunity to show just how broad a range the crews are drawn from.

The help of 10- and 11-year-old pupils from the New Brighton Primary School Writing Group was also enlisted - they conducted interviews and investigations, along with written stories and poetry. Education is a vital part of the quest to reduce the number of people blundering into trouble on the local beaches - it probably is also inspiring the 2020 recruits!

The final exhibition consisted of 114 framed images, split into sections as listed above, along with models of the lifeboats, the work of children from the New Brighton Primary School and from students from St Mary's College.

The Sponsors
Although it was run at relatively low cost and the Wallasey APS photographers provided their time free of charge, the costs incurred were met by the three principal sponsors: Atlantic Engineering, CLM Ladder, and the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. To date, the Wirral Borough Council Williamson Museum and the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral have agreed to host the exhibition, but other venues are also being sought. The exhibition is available for display.

If you have an interest contact the RNLI New Brighton Press Officer, Bob Warwick mobile 07847658922

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1st Published 01/04/2011
last update 09/12/2022 14:55:45

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