Cooooeeeee! Joe and Petunia are back!

…. but this time in a dynamic present-day setting.

The first Joe and Petunia public information film was released in 1968 to tell members of the public that they could reach the Coastguard by calling 999, so this year we are celebrating 50 years of being part of the 999 network. If you’re too young to remember J&P back in their heyday, check them out: 

This Thursday (24 May) we’ll be launching our present-day Joe and Petunia film. It showcases a modern version of the original 60s storyline, complete with dinghy (or dinjy!) sailor and contemporary Petunia.

Of course we couldn’t release a J&P film without the cartoon characters themselves so they both have cameo roles; the 2018 version stars Joe in his cartoon version and Petunia (present-day actor and sixties voice). The dinghy sailor also has a starring role, although only in his 2018 version. All of the modern-day actors are Coastguard or RNLI volunteers or staff and the new film squeezes a Coastguard operations room, a cliff scene with Coastguard and Petunia and an at-sea scene with the Coastguard helicopter, RNLI lifeboat and dinghy sailor into its 40 seconds.

The footage for our new film was shot off the White Cliffs of Dover back in February during the couple of days that it wasn’t pouring it down with rain, blowing a hooley or feet deep in snow. Our coastguard rescue officers and staff did a fantastic job of playing the various roles and our friends at the RNLI provided a lifeboat and full crew to complete the at-sea scene. We’d like to say a special thank you to the Dover Sea Sports Centre who provided us with a boat to use as a filming platform and a loan dinghy.









Popular posts from this blog

Challenging rescue at popular Cornish climbing spot

Teenager rescued after sand hole collapse

Label your kit at the coast