National Coastwatch Institution
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The National Coastwatch Institution is a voluntary organisation and registered charity providing a visual watch along the UK's coasts, not to be confused with HM Coastguard.
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[edit] History
The NCI was set up in 1994 against a background of the closure of many of the UK's smaller Coastguard stations. The Institution originated from a campaign to re-establish a visual coastal watch in Cornwall, after two fishermen lost their lives below a recently closed Coastguard Station. The first NCI coastwatch was thus established at Bass Point, near Lizard, Cornwall.
[edit] Work
The NCI's 1,100 volunteer Watchkeepers keep a visual watch along the coastline, monitoring radio channels, sea conditions, using radar and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. It should be noted that the NCI's visual watch is not permanent. For example, in 2004 the number of hours on watch at NCI Exmouth amounted to 1,536 (there are 8760 hours in a year). All volunteers are provided with training, ensuring all volunteers reach the standards expected by the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency).
The NCI works with HM Coastguard, the MCA, the RNLI and the other emergency services. In 2004 13 incidents reported by the NCI to the MCA ended with a call-out of the RNLI inshore lifeboat.
[edit] Coastguard Stations
In 2005 the Institution maintained 30 stations around the coastline of England and Wales, at the following locations:
Cornwall
- Boscastle
- Charlestown
- Polruan
- Portscatho
- Rame Head
- Stepper Point
- Bass Point
- Cape Cornwall
- Gwennap Head
- St. Ives
- Penzance
- Nare Point
- Exmouth
- Froward Point
- Prawle Point
- Teignmouth
- Peveril Point
- Portland Bill
- St Albans Head
South Coast Region
South East Region
Thames Region
- Felixstowe
- Holehaven
- Southend-on-Sea
East Coast
- Ingoldmells Point
