Caister Coastwatch - NCI

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Caister Coastwatch - NCI

NCI is a registered charity managed by a board of Trustees with a Constitution agreed by the Charities Commission. They remain vigilant at all times.

History of the NCI
The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) is a voluntary organisation set up in 1994 to restore a visual watch along UK shores after many small Coastguard stations closed. In 1994 when two fishermen lost their lives off the Cornish coast below a recently closed Coastguard lookout, local people decided to open and restore the visual watch. When the first station was opened at Bas

s Point on the Lizard, NCI was born. During the next ten years other stations followed and, at the start of 2011, we had 44 operational stations keeping visual watch around the coastline of England and Wales. NCI stations have been set up along the coast from Rossall Point in the North-West, through Wales, to Sunderland in the North-East. Each station has a qualified and highly trained team to watch over its own particular area whether it is a popular seaside town, busy port or shipping area. Accidents will always happen at sea and along the coastline. Wherever there is an NCI station a watchkeeper will be looking out for danger and ensuring your safety on the water. High technology and sophisticated systems such as radar and telecommunications have vastly improved safety at sea, but there is no substitute for a watchful pair of eyes. Accidents do happen and a computer or technology cannot spot a distress flare, an overturned boat, a yacht with problems, a water sports enthusiast in difficulty, or children or adults in trouble, or possible pollution incidents. That is why our lookouts and watchkeepers are an important service provider to all those who use our coastal waters, footpaths and coastline. Work of the NCI
Each Station is manned by a team of fully trained and dedicated volunteers who keep a daylight watch up to 365 days a year. Stations are equipped with telescopes, radar, telephone and weather instrumentation as well as up to date charts. Close contact with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) aims to promote stations to Declared Facility Status in order to become an integral part of the National Search and Rescue Structure. Watchkeepers come from all walks of life and offer a wide range of skills and experience. Full training ensures that volunteers reach the high standard expected by the NCI and MCA. Regular assessments take place at all stations and retraining programmes are held to maintain standards and keep watchkeepers up to date with the latest legislation or improved operational procedures. Watchkeepers are the eyes and ears along the coast, keeping a visual watch, monitoring radio channels, using radar and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. Surveillance work is mainly routine but watchkeepers are trained to act in an emergency, report to the MCA and, if required, co-ordinate with the search and rescue services. A log of all water-based activities is kept during each watch and, when requested, weather conditions can be passed to yachtsmen and fishermen before they put to sea. Also with the new generation of web cams we can identify sea conditions for those who wish to check on the weather or sea state prior to doing any watersport activity, hopefully reducing the need for MCA response and RNLI call-outs. During each watch other activities such as canoeing and diving etc are closely observed, as are bathers, walkers and climbers who use our shoreline. Watchkeepers provide a vital link with all the emergency services and can provide an emergency contact point on land for both sea and shore users.

03/07/2023

03/07/2023

A look into the stories we'll follow in episode one of our new TV series, Coastguard: Every Second Counts

30/06/2023

29/06/2023

Mundesley ILB was tasked last night to assist a yacht which had run aground on Mundesley beach after running out of fuel. Working with Bacton Coastguard, the crew rigged a tow and managed to get the yacht afloat on the incoming tide.

26/06/2023

An inside look at the lifesaving work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Coastguard: Every Second Counts is a brand-new, six part, prime-time television series that starts on Sunday 2 July at 9pm and airs on Channel 5. For over 10 months we let the cameras inside the Maritime and Coastguard Agen...

25/06/2023

Hemsby Broads Rescue was paged by Humber Coastguard yesterday afternoon at 12:24. The Ambulance Service had requested our assistance to help evacuate a female on board a cruiser at Horning who had suffered a medical incident and collapsed, injuring her head in the process.

Once our crew were on scene, we picked up the additional medical staff and transported them to the casualty vessel along with a member of the coastguard team.

With assistance, the casualty could leave her vessel on foot and was transported back across the river to the waiting ambulance. Once we had handed the casualty over to the coastguard team, Hemsby Broads Rescue was stood down, returned to base and prepared for the next shout.

We thank the Ambulance service and the Bacton and Winterton Coast Guard Teams.

25/06/2023

19/06/2023

Looking south from Second avenue car park steps in the Monday evening sun.

19/06/2023

Did you know when a child reaches 15, statistically the water is more likely to claim their life?
And for every drowning that occurs, there are more than 10 near-drownings which can lead to life-changing injuries.

Don’t let it be you. Stay safe this summer.

https://orlo.uk/drowning_prevention_week_mCzYz

11/06/2023

Are you heading down to the beach or the coast this weekend to enjoy the hot weather?

There is a yellow heat-health alert in place for parts of England until 9am on Monday, 12 June.

Please make sure to stay protected and to look out for those who might struggle to keep themselves cool, including children and the elderly.

Apply sunscreen 🧴
Drink plenty of water 💧
Wear sunglasses 🕶️
Spend time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest ☀️

11/06/2023

Today the Crew at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI station fly the flag at half mast to mark the passing of Paul Mitchell who was once a serving member of the stations ILB crew. Paul passed away on Monday at the age of 62.

Paul Mitchell served as Crew alongside his father, Mick Mitchell who was a Senior Helm and his younger brother Ian who was also ILB Crew.

The Mitchell family have been associated with Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI Lifeboat Station for generations.

The Crew wish to pass on their thoughts and condolences to Paul’s family.

11/06/2023

Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Literally. For Jo Schup a solo backpacking hike of over 1,000 miles around Wales, taking nearly three million steps led her to the next one - volunteering with National Coastwatch🚶‍♀️🌊

Roll on six years and she’s now Station Manager National Coastwatch Institution - St Donat's Bay in Wales. The station is in the grounds of UWC Atlantic where there’s a unique programme that unites students from around the world & local community volunteers with the shared aim of helping to save lives on the coast.

Jo still walks to help raise funds for the causes she supports - the station and Mind In The Vale Of Glamorgan. Her 2017 hike sparked a resolve to volunteer with NCI which became reality a few years later when she came back home to Wales during the pandemic.

“I first became aware of NCI when the Porthcawl crew watched me take off my boots and wade across the muddy estuary - they stopped me to explain they had been looking out for me and that it wasn't a safe thing to do. After that I made a point of calling into as many NCI stations along my route as possible, enjoying friendly chats, cups of tea and a welcome sit down. I knew then that if I ever live by the sea I'd like to volunteer with NCI.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/3Ngj2kK

BBC Wales News WalesOnline

03/06/2023

Just in case ⛵️🚤🛶

21/05/2023

15/05/2023

14/05/2023

13/05/2023

10/05/2023

Today is and time to celebrate volunteering. Our volunteer watchkeepers come from all walks of life and they play an essential part in keeping people safe along the coast.

You don’t need maritime experience, only enthusiasm as you’ll receive full training in watchkeeping skills. If you’d like to do something rewarding with plenty of variety, you could be one of our lovely crew❤️

✅ Helping to save lives

✅ Watchkeeping

✅ Helping with fundraising

✅ Making new friends

Find out more and check out your nearest station: http://bit.ly/3nGNABC

📸Nick and Colin from NCI Felixstowe

28/04/2023

It’s a Bank Holiday weekend approaching and the sun may just shine🤞

Whatever your plans, have a safe and wonderful weekend. If your heading onto the water or to the coast remember to:

🌊 Check tides and weather forecast
🚤 Ensure your boat/kayak/boards are in a safe condition, especially if it’s the first time out after the winter.
🏊‍♀️ Remember the water temperature is still cold, suit up and wear your life jacket
🥾 If your walking the coastal paths, plan ahead and remember recent high tides may have left debris and hazards
🗺 Plan ahead
📞 Charge your phone
📱 Download what3words help us locate you quicker

😊 Have a safe weekend

Our team remain on call 24/7 ready to respond!

🆘 In a coastal emergency, on the sea, at the beach, along coastal paths and the Broads ☎️ 999 and ask for the Coastguard

28/04/2023

SOS Radio Week is an annual event that sees Amateur Radio operators throughout the UK and Ireland support RNLI stations through special event stations and fundraising.

24/04/2023

Monday 24th April

Tide Times BST: British Summer Time
Hi/Lo Time Height
Low 05:51 0.76m
High 11:38 2.30m
Low 18:09 0.69m

23/04/2023

It’s , England’s patron saint and according to legend, a slayer of a dangerous dragon which had claimed people’s lives 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🐉

Our volunteer watchkeepers have never reported seeing a dragon during their daily coastal safety watches but they see plenty of other dangers on a regular basis. We alert HM Coastguard if we see anyone in difficulties so help can be sent.

The coast can be as dangerous as a dragon. If you’re at the coast today:

✅ Do check weather conditions and tides

✅ Ensure you have the right kit and equipment

✅ Call your nearest station on VHF CH65 for radio checks

✅ Take a mobile phone or VHF radio. If you see anyone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Whatever you’re doing today, we wish you, our volunteers and supporters a safe and happy day.

23/04/2023

When you volunteer as a Watchkeeper, full training is given at your own pace. The NATO Phonetic Alphabet is one thing you will learn along with many other skills to enable you to contribute to public safety. To join us contact [email protected]

21/04/2023

By the end of November 2023, fishers working on a UK vessel must have a certificate of medical fitness.

How will this affect those with colour blindness and/or some form of corrected vision?

Learn more 👇

http://bit.ly/3ZbPcjN

21/04/2023

April is National Pet Month, so we wanted to share some useful safety tips to for when you and your canine companions are out enjoying the coast:

Dogs are easily distracted by all the exciting sounds and smells on a coastal walk and may run towards the cliff edge, so it is important they are kept on a lead at all times 🐕‍🦺

If they get stuck on a ledge, in mud or swept out to sea, don’t go after them. Most dogs make it back safely, but you might not 🌊

If someone is in danger trying to reach a dog call 999 and ask for the Coastguard 📱

For more information on coastal safety, please visit: https://bit.ly/3m7Oirp

20/04/2023

The view from the office. Why not come and join us?

20/04/2023

Tide Times BST: British Summer Time
Hi/Lo Time Height
Low 03:26 0.28m
High 09:14 2.46m
Low 15:35 0.67m
High 21:09 2.73m

19/04/2023

Good morning all

Tide Times BST: British Summer Time
Hi/Lo Time Height
Low 02:43 0.32m
High 08:37 2.45m
Low 14:55 0.78m
High 20:24 2.65m

Sands are continually moving - peaks and troughs mean water pools are deceptively deep in places - take care!

Watchkeepers are on duty 1000-1700 at the watchstation on Second Avenue.
If you need to contact them the mobile number is 07527 977613 or pop in and say hello.

In the case of emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Enjoy your day
Eyes along the coast

18/04/2023

We have lots of dog friendly beaches along the Lincolnshire coast.

And we want to make sure you and your furry friends are safe when out enjoying a walkies on the beach.

If they get stuck in mud or swept out to sea, don’t go after them. Most dogs can make it back safely, but you might not.

Remember, if you do see someone in danger trying to reach a dog, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

🐕‍🦺

18/04/2023

Hemsby Broads Rescue was paged by Humber Coastguard today at 12:42 to assist a private 14-foot vessel with one person on board that was experiencing engine difficulties and needed assistance to get to a safe mooring near Stokesby.

Broads Rescue quickly located the vessel and took it under tow to the waiting Coastguard teams from Winterton and Gorleston. The Coastguard teams ensured the vessel was secure and offered sage advice to the occupant.

When using the waterways, it is very important that you ensure the vessel you are using is in good repair for safety reasons, and of course, it goes without saying that navigating any waterway without a lifejacket is foolhardy and to be avoided.

Our thanks to the Coastguard and, of course, our Crew for another well-executed operation.

17/04/2023

Tuesday 18th April

Tide Times BST: British Summer Time
Hi/Lo Time Height
Low 01:54 0.41m
High 08:00 2.42m
Low 14:12 0.92m
High 19:36 2.51m

Eyes along the Coast

Address

********
Great Yarmouth
*******

Website

http://www.nci.org.uk/caister

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