In this episode of WARSHIPS POD host, Iain Ballantyne chats with Jack Lowe, who connects with the sea while working as a documentarist ‘using photography, audio, film, and words to shine a light on the greatness of others’ (as Jack himself puts it).

Jack’s main pursuit in recent times has been The Lifeboat Station Project, which he describes as a mission to ‘photograph all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations on glass.’ 

Since 2014 he has traveled in Neena, an ambulance converted into a mobile darkroom in which he weaves his magic with glass plates.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack had managed to visit 150 of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stations around the coast of the United Kingdom plus Ireland and hopes to resume his photographic odyssey later this year.

In this podcast episode, Iain discusses with Jack how his RNLI work has brought him into contact with an amazing Dunkirk ‘little ship’ that in the summer of 1940 - as the Second World War raged - took part in the Operation Dynamo evacuation of British and allied troops from France. 

Among other topics, Iain and Jack touch on during their lively conversation are movies about the Dunkirk evacuation; interlinked aspects of the RNLI and Royal Navy; H.M. Coast Guard’s SAR helicopters; the enduring seafaring character of Britons, whether in the RNLI or RN, along with things in common of how the two organizations train to tackle their demanding missions. 

• Iain Ballantyne is the Editor of WARSHIPS International Fleet Review magazine. 

For more details on the magazine  http://bit.ly/wifrmag

• To learn more about Jack and his work visit The Lifeboat Station Project here

https://lifeboatstationproject.com

or follow it on Twitter

https://twitter.com/ProjectLifeboat