Just over two decades ago there were 43 major coastguard stations, 160 lighthouses and 30 lightships around our coastline. All were manned 24 hours a day keeping a safe watch over our busy waters and coastal areas. There were numerous coastguard lookouts too, manned during daylight hours. All this has changed. Automation has taken over, lookouts closed down and major coastguard stations reduced in number leaving a huge void. This is the gap the NCI is aiming to fill; put back the security of knowing that once again there is someone looking out for you.

The good news is that in October 1994 a new charity – NCI – was formed and the first Coastal Surveillance Station (CSS) to open was at Bass Point, Cornwall. To date there are 23 stations with 10 more in the pipeline for 1999 and an ultimate target of 60 early in the millennium. Already, more that 1400 life threatening incidents have been reported to the relevant Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities and many lives saved.

The cause of these incidents are many and the only way to ensure that help is at hand is to reintroduce visual look-outs backed up by modern technology and Radar. Since NCI started, yachtsmen, divers, wind-surfers and coastal workers have all been helped.

There are currently 1400 volunteer watch-keepers, trained to exacting standards in conjunction with HM Coastguard to ensure they have the necessary skills needed to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding between NCI and HMCG. Every NCI CSS is equipped with a minimum of VHF, high power binoculars, telephone, charts, anemometer and, where finances allow, Radar.