Yesterday (August 1), Exmouth RNLI volunteers participated in a special photo moment – One Moment for One Crew.

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.

The photograph helps create a record of those involved with the lifesaving charity in its 200th anniversary year.

A parade of the Exmouth RNLI volunteers then made their way to Exmouth Quay with the inshore lifeboat, and the bridge was raised for the all-weather lifeboat 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."

The all weather lifeboat was delayed in arriving at the marina as it responded to an incident. 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."