On Friday 13th December we welcomed the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor David Shields, to NCI Stone Point in Lepe Country Park. As “Honorary Admiral of the Port” the Lord Mayor’s ancient “Admiralty Jurisdiction” extends all along the Solent from Langstone in the east to Hurst Castle in the west. Despite the slightly inauspicious date there were no incidents out on the water, and the Lord Mayor performed the station’s closing broadcast on the NCI VHF channel 65 at the end of the watch. “A most illuminating and uplifting experience; I learned loads and gained a far greater insight into our busy shipping lanes in Southampton and the valuable contribution of so many agencies – including our wonderful National Coastwatch Institution volunteers.”

Southampton Lord Mayor & Honourary Admiral of the Port Cllr. David Sheilds.