Our volunteers do extraordinary work and Karin from NCI Gwenapp Head is one of them. 

Her lifesaving actions one stormy day in April have been praised by our HM Coastguard colleagues and she has also been awarded the NCI Certificate of Merit, the highest recognition that watchkeepers can achieve for being directly involved in helping to save a life or lives.  The certificate was awarded to Karin by our Royal Patron HRH The Princess Royal during a visit to Cornwall. 

Karin was on watch and became increasingly concerned for the safety of a yacht on passage towards Land’s End. In deteriorating Severe Gale Force 9 weather conditions, the yacht turned back, trying to seek shelter in a local bay. Karin alerted Falmouth Coastguard and was asked to keep monitoring the situation while rescue services were on their way. 

Shortly afterwards, she heard VHF radio call on Channel 16 from the yacht saying that the two people on board were abandoning the vessel. Due to their location, the call could only be heard by NCI Gwennap Head and Karin immediately relayed the details by landline to Falmouth Coastguard. She then extended her five hour watch by a further two and a half hours until the casualties were rescued, maintaining a visual and listening watch and updating HM Coastguard as and when requested. 

The Certificate bears the following citation from HM Coastguard Operations MRCC Falmouth:  

“We believe the prompt actions and support taken by your watchkeeper over the concern for a yacht led to the successful rescue of the two crew and the recovery of the yacht. Had the Ch16 emergency call not been picked up by Karin on watch that day the consequences could have been far worse, with no one being aware of the perilous situation that was developing. Please pass our thanks to Karin for a job well done.” 

Congratulations Karin!