Release Issued by Pentax:

RNLI Photographer of the year

9th January, 2007 - The RNLI announces today at the London Boat Show the results of its inaugural Photographer of the Year competition in association with Pentax. All entries to the competition have been submitted by RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew members who have documented their brave work using Pentax’s waterproof digital cameras – the Optio W series.

Training for rescue operations, both on the water and ashore, is critical to the success of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. To facilitate this, Pentax digital cameras have been issued to record rescues and exercises to assist with future training and promote the value of the work provided by the RNLI’s highly skilled group of volunteers.

The winner of the Shoreworkers Category as taken by Michael Picknett, Senior Helm of the Redcar Lifeboat Station.

The Pentax Optio W series is designed specifically for outdoor and underwater photography. The compact, lightweight camera is waterproof up to a depth of 1.5 metres, without needing a underwater case and is therefore small enough to be slipped into a pocket.

Early trials with the Pentax WP proved so successful, in possibly the toughest environment for a camera to operate in, that by the end of January 2006 all 232 RNLI lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland had either an Optio WP or the updated Optio WPi. Blackpool Lifeboat Station described the camera as being ‘simple and easy to use, producing good results, which are perfect for the purpose’.

Andrew Freemantle, RNLI Chief Executive explains:
‘Photographs and moving images taken on these lifeboat cameras are now instrumental in helping increase awareness of the charity and can be used on the RNLI’s own website and in publications’.

Over 500 charity volunteers entered their photos for the RNLI Photographer of the year competition consisting of five categories including Best Photo of All Weather Lifeboat and Best Photo of Shore Workers. Prizes for the winning crew members are being provided by Pentax and will be presented by Georgie Palmer, BBC South Today weather broadcaster, today at the RNLI stand at the London Boat Show in the ExCel exhibition centre.