Volunteering with National Coastwatch (NCI) is often compared with being part of a family. For three of our watchkeepers, it’s exactly that!

Brothers Frank, Bernie and Gary are all volunteers, with a shared, lifelong love of the sea. Frank volunteers at NCI Brancaster while Gary and Bernie are stationed at NCI Canvey Island and NCI Swanage respectively. 

All three served with the Royal Navy and joined NCI as soon as they retired. Their connection with the sea and wanting to give back to their communities runs in the family explained Frank. 

“For us the sea is in our blood. Our late father was a highly decorated bomb disposal officer with the Royal Navy and he instilled in us a strong sense of duty and a desire to help look after our communities,” he said. 

Frank discovered NCI when he visited a cafe in Hunstanton, Norfolk and saw an advert for volunteer watchkeepers at nearby NCI Brancaster.  

“It really grabbed my attention, especially as I’d sailed a lot and been a submariner with the Royal Navy. I joined up and qualified as a watchkeeper in August 2023 and of course told my brothers all about it. That was just the start of a new family tradition,” he added. 

Youngest brother Gary was next to follow. After a career in the Royal Navy, he joined the Metropolitan Police, rising to Inspector. When he retired, he joined his nearest station at NCI Canvey Island in 2024 and is an accredited watchkeeper.   

As soon as he moved from Devon to Dorset with his wife, Bernie followed suit and joined the crew at NCI Swanage, qualifying as a watchkeeper in August 2025.

“For all of us, the great thing is that we’re able to continue our love of the sea by doing something really valuable and incredibly rewarding with a great mix of talented people. We all share a wonderful feeling of pride that we’re able to continue to help others and we’re hoping the younger members of our family will continue our tradition,” said Gary.  

If you’re interested in learning new skills, meeting new people and helping to keep people safe along the coast, take a look at our volunteering page for more information. You don’t need to have any maritime experience as full training is provided and you can learn at your own pace.