HOYLAKE RNLI: GUIDED TOUR OF A SHANNON CLASS LIFEBOAT
Recorded 30th March 2022 / Published 28th April 2025
30th March 2022: It’s not every day you get a tour of a lifeboat from two Coxswains! I felt very lucky to have these moments with current Hoylake Coxswain Howie Owen and retired Coxswain Davy Dodd.
CUPPA WITH A COXSWAIN: TONY COWELL, FLEETWOOD RNLI
Recorded 9th April 2022 / Published 15th December 2022
“If you send that mayday out, you know there’s only one ship that’s going to come and save you. While others are turning back, they’ll be coming out.” ~ Tony Cowell’s grandfather on the RNLI
9th April 2022: A chat with Tony Cowell, former Fleetwood RNLI Coxswain and current volunteer crew member. Tony talks me through the maritime history of the area including the formation of the lifeboat station. Also, his continuation of long traditions not only on the Fleetwood lifeboat but also the Wyre Estuary Ferry.
SLIPWAY SOUNDS: HIGH TIDE AT BARROW LIFEBOAT STATION
Recorded 13th April 2022 / Published 4th December 2022
13th April 2022: Before leaving Barrow, my final station on Mission 21, I recorded the gentle high tide sounds of Barrow’s slipway and made them into this soundscape for you.
Read more in this public blog post.
HOYLAKE RNLI: TRACY DAVIES
Recorded 30th March 2022 / Published 25th June 2022
30th March 2022: Tracy Davies, the first female SLARS* tractor driver, offers us an insight into the mindset of what it takes to launch a lifeboat and its crew.
Towards the end, Tracy turns the tables and asks me a few questions too!
* Shannon Launch and Recovery System — the huge mobile slipway for transporting, launching and recovering the RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat.
HOYLAKE RNLI: THE HERITAGE OF HILBRE ISLAND
Recorded 28th March 2022 / Published 23rd June 2022
28th March 2022: A very special visit to a very special place with three very special people.
A day on Hilbre Island with three Hoylake RNLI lifeboat veterans Andy Dodd, Davy Dodd and Chris Williams. We chat as we take a stroll across the island from the bird observatory to the old lifeboat station.
Listen out for Chris’ dog Pepper around and about at ground level too!
Read more in this members-only blog post.
A WINDY DAY AT LYTHAM ST ANNES
Recorded 6th April 2022 / Published 22nd April 2022
6th April 2022: A very windy day at Lytham St Annes RNLI lifeboat station as the volunteer shore crew take the Shannon class out of the boathouse on its mobile slipway to undergo beach trials.
You’ll hear all kinds of things including a cyclist and dog walkers passing by, as well as an aeroplane flying overhead just as the launch tractor passes the microphones — a veritable onslaught of heavy machinery!
You might also notice that the tractor, lifeboat and mobile slipway are so large that they act as a windbreak for a short while, the wind returning as it passes the microphones.
However, the real surprise comes right at the end when I hear something for the first time — the huge tractor and mobile slipway travelling at speed, sounding more akin to a haunting air-raid siren as the hi-tech unit makes its way across the sand.
Read more in this members-only blog post.
“IT MAKES ME FEEL ALIVE, JACK, THAT’S WHAT IT DOES…”
Howie Whyte, Retired Loch Ness RNLI Volunteer
Recorded 28th September 2021 / Published 28th November 2021
28th September 2021: Retired Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat volunteer Howie Whyte introduces me to his Harley Davidson, the motorcycle he would ensure was always ready to whisk him to the lifeboat station when the emergency call came.
Read more in the members-only blog post The Lifeboat Harley.
“WE COULD SEE PASSENGERS HANGING OUT OVER THE HOLE…”
Tony Hawkins, Dover RNLI Retired Coxswain
Recorded 1st October 2018 / Published 22nd July 2021
1st October 2018: Tony Hawkins talking to me about a very unusual call for the Dover lifeboat — the rescue of passengers from the Princess Margaret SRN4 Cross Channel hovercraft following a fatal collision with the harbour wall on 30th March 1985.
Read more in the members-only blog post From Hot Bath to Hovercraft.
STIFFKEY MARSHES
“The large roaring waves formed a frothing white stripe on the horizon, like an army rolling towards us with great purpose and intent...”
Recorded 29th April 2021 / Published 18th May 2021
29th April 2021: Once we’d installed the giant Lucy Lavers poster in Stiffkey, North Norfolk, [click here for the blog post] Jetstream and I made our way to the neighbouring coastal path and marshes to make a soundscape.
We were hoping for a strong evening chorus. However, we soon realised the birds will have been acutely aware that the spring tide would mean the marsh would be barren of any safe roosting spots. As is the way here, the landscape would soon be a seascape.
The natural sounds were still beautiful, of course, with waders and gulls making themselves known. A stiff Arctic wind blew constantly from the north and the sea rumbled ominously some 2 miles in the distance. The large roaring waves formed a frothing white stripe on the horizon, like an army rolling towards us with great purpose and intent.
A third of the way through the recording, listen out for the women passing by for a wild swim in the freezing creek. Their banter stopped when they saw the microphones they apologetically shuffled by wearing silent grins instead. Towards the end, you can hear their whoops of joy and laughter weaving into the chattering of the birds. A proper night out all round.
As always, good quality headphones recommended. I use the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphone when creating my soundscapes.
“NOBODY MAKES AN APPOINTMENT FOR US”
“I was about three months old and the first introduction I had to the lifeboat was being carried in my father’s boiler suit…”
Recorded 16th June 2016 / Published 11th February 2021
This is very much a recording of two parts. The first takes us to the 18 minute mark when I thank Dupre because I think the conversation has reached a natural conclusion.
However, he became a little more relaxed after that point so we kept the tape rolling and learned even more.
You’ll hear Dupre rewind the clock to the very beginning of his career. By the end of the chat, I can’t help but feel that we’ve really learned so much about what it takes to live and breathe the lifeboat life.
You’ll also hear the moments in which the importance of the lifeboat mechanic’s role became galvanised for me, the point from which I decided to include them in the project wherever possible.
“WE MAY NOT COME BACK FROM THIS ONE”
“Is anybody else coming in that could relieve me of this fate?”
Recorded 6th September 2019 / First published 14th September 2019 /
Extended, remastered and republished 23rd January 2021
When he was just 22 years old, Portrush RNLI Deputy Coxswain Mark Mitchell was on board the lifeboat when the iconic photograph below was made by Iain Watson.
30 years on, I spoke to Mark about what it felt like to go to sea in those horrendous conditions.
RUNDLE’S RESCUE
On the pebble-strewn shore at Minehead, RNLI lifeboat volunteer Chris Rundle talks to my friend and project assistant Duncan Davis about an extraordinary rescue he conducted in 1975 for which he received the Institution’s Thanks on Vellum. As you’ll hear, Chris’ account is both modest and humble…
Recorded 1st July 2015 / First published 19th December 2020
DUNBAR DIALOGUE
Jack in conversation with Gary Fairbairn and Gipper Ainslie
(Dunbar RNLI Coxswain and Station Mechanic respectively)
Recorded 21st June 2019 / First published 29th October 2020
PHOTOGRAPHY DAILY #67: THE LSP SPECIAL
Neale James, former national BBC radio presenter and creator of the Photography Daily podcast, has generously allowed me to publish this special edition for my patrons
Published 16th August 2020
JUST YOU, ME AND THE LENS
A fundamental part of my approach to making a portrait
Recorded/Published 25th July 2020
A NEW ENGINE FOR THE SUPERTANKER
Some gentle rambling about lockdown, wellbeing, the Signal app, my strong move in A Social Dilemma, and how I plan to move the project forward
Recorded/Published 24th June 2020
THE ULTRAVIOLET SHADOW
Some illuminating physics for you! As I mention in the recording, I wrote a blog post in 2015 about this scorching summer’s day, so if you’re in the mood for a little more reading click here…
Recorded/Published 19th April 2020
SHINGLE SIESTA
A little extra insight into my visit to Dungeness
Recorded/Published 10th April 2020
“THAT’S THE UNIT, THAT’S WHAT NOBODY ELSE SEES”
Jack in conversation with Plymouth RNLI Coxswain Dave Milford
Recorded 11th March 2020 / First published 28th March 2020
MAKING THE ILFRACOMBE CREW PORTRAIT
A soundscape of the recordings made whilst making one of the project’s cornerstone crew portraits
Recorded 25th June 2015 / First published 2nd May 2020
MAKING THE ILFRACOMBE CREW PORTRAIT [BONUS]
Recorded 25th June 2015 / First published 2nd May 2020
“WE CAN’T ALWAYS BE GOD”
Jack listens to Ian Sheridan, Howth RNLI Lifeboat Mechanic
Recorded 22nd March 2019 / First published 23rd March 2019
“RIGHT, CONNIE, MAKE SOME NOISE!”
All aboard Annie Blaker, the last operational Tyne class RNLI lifeboat
Recorded 26th March 2019 / First published 27th March 2019
Remastered 14th February 2023 to accompany this blog post
“FA YAVS YOU?”
Jack learns some Doric from Fraserburgh RNLI Coxswain Victor Sutherland and his brother David
Recorded 14th June 2018 / First published 16th June 2018