Exhibited for the first time at the 2008 Collins Stewart London Boat Show, the winner and runners up photographs will give visitors a unique snapshot into the training and rescue work of volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards, as witnessed by them.

Now in its second year, the RNLI Pentax Photographer of the Year competition was developed to document the rescue work of the lifesaving charity. All 233 RNLI lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland are equipped with digital waterproof cameras from Pentax’s Optio WP range to enable appropriate real-time, high quality images of their life-saving activities to be captured. Entries in the 2007 competition were submitted by both RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards, who also have access to digital Pentax cameras.

The charity’s stand (N030B), situated in the North Hall of Excel adjacent to ‘Anchor Watch’, will also have an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat alongside and regular lifejacket clinics by the RNLI’s expert team of sea safety volunteers. A range of nautically inspired gifts will also be on sale to raise funds for the charity.

In addition, recreational sea users – from kayakers, windsurfers and jet skiers to sailors, power and motor boaters – will be given the opportunity to support the 24-hour search and rescue service by joining the RNLI’s membership scheme. In 2006, more than half(*)  of the 8,377 RNLI lifeboat launches were to recreational sea users. During the busiest week of summer 2006(**)  436 lifeboats were launched, of which well over half (266) were to leisure craft. These figures highlight the essential work of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews and the importance of continued public support for the charity that provides a 24-hour lifesaving service.
David Brann, RNLI Fundraising and Communication Director says:

‘As a keen sailor I urge all recreational sea users to find out more about the work of our volunteer lifeboat crews and hope they’ll show their support by becoming RNLI members at this year’s London Boat Show. The RNLI’s team of sea safety volunteers will be on hand running free lifejacket clinics so visitors to our stand can find out everything they ever wanted to know about lifejackets and safety at sea.’

Visitors are also invited to meet RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew, both on the RNLI’s main stand (N030B) and in the marina, where Salcombe’s Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Baltic Exchange will be on the water (berth 041), the first time a Tamar has been in the marina at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show.

Linda Vatcher, RNLI Exhibitions Manager, says:

‘We look forward to welcoming visitors to the RNLI’s stand and to come on board the Tamar all-weather lifeboat in the marina at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show. It’s thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and supporters which enables us to attend this kind of event so that we can continue to raise awareness of the charity that provides a 24-hour lifesaving service.’