During 2020 all NCI stations closed for two months at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. On re-opening most stations were single-crewed for the rest of the year.
| Incident No. | Date of Incident | Station Name | Incident Summary | Initiated by | Lifeboat involved | MCA | MCA No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49175 | 22/03/2024 | NCI Newhaven | NCI reported to HMCG a blue barrel in water. CRT tasked, and object found on beach, believed to be a chemical barrel. CRT dealing with object. | NCI | No | Yes | 508107 |
| 49180 | 22/03/2024 | NCI Exmouth | NCI observed a wind surfers sail separated from his board, and drifting out to sea. HMCG requested observation. Person on board paddled to shore, sail not recovered. CG informed. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | n/a |
| 49171 | 19/03/2024 | NCI Rhoscolyn | HMCG called NCI re. report of person possibly in difficulty on island, reported to be waving. Initial scan was negative, Monitoring continued, casualty spotted, a paddle boarder, who appeared fine., CRT contacted paddle board who was not in distress. NFA | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 507772 |
| 49128 | 18/03/2024 | NCI Torbay | HMCG issued Pan Pan re. vessel with mechanical issue. Second vessel responded, NCI contacted vessel to say it had visual. Second vessel took casualty under tow, to harbour. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 507657 |
| 49148 | 18/03/2024 | NCI Torbay | MOP called re. concern for kite surfer, falling frequently. NCI had logged casualty, HMCG informed and asked NCI to monitor. Second MOP also expressed concern. Surfer came close to beach, then , went out to sea again, and returned to beach again, so W/K spoke with him to confirm he was packing up. Affirmative - CG informed. | NCI | No | Yes | 507705 |
| 49157 | 18/03/2024 | NCI Porthcawl | MOP reported to NCI a distressed person running in and out of the water. Scan revealed nothing. HMCG informed. CRT and ILB tasked, after extensive search nothing found. Casualty was last seen, throwing abuse at people and heading to a caravan park. Assets stood down. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 507692 |
| 49168 | 18/03/2024 | NCI Southend | MOP advised NCI of a person with a dog waving vigorously then sitting on mud. HMCG advised, CRT tasked. CRT discovered there was no problem - was waving to relative on beach. NFA | NCI | No | Yes | 507677 |
| 49129 | 17/03/2024 | NCI Fleetwood | NCI observed walkers in danger of being cut off by tide. HMCG informed, CRT tasked to attend. Walkers were encouraged back to shore and given appropriate advice by CRT. | NCI | No | Yes | 507562 |
| 49132 | 17/03/2024 | NCI Calshot Tower | MOP called NCI re. motor vessel lost power. NCI had visual, 2 POB second vessel providing tow. HMCG already aware, ILB tasked. Casualty recovered by LB to beach. NFA | NCI | No | Yes | 507577 |
| 49136 | 17/03/2024 | NCI Shoreham | MOP reported to NCI concern for person on beach. While informing HMCG, casualty jumped from breakwater. 2 fishermen threw life ring, which she held onto. Casualty recovered from water, CG informed., Ambulance attended, ILB had been tasked to assist. Casualty taken by ambulance, Police, CRT and first responders in attendance. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 507589 |
| 49141 | 17/03/2024 | NCI Porthcawl | Police asked NCI to assist in search for person possibly attempting suicide. Visual and camera scan commenced, but visibility poor. HMCG informed. ILB and CRT tasked to assist., Casualty later found inland, CG informed, assets stood down. | Police | Yes | Yes | POL820 |
| 49152 | 17/03/2024 | NCI Teignmouth | MOP reported an unattended swiming bag on coast path. HMCG informed, and NCI asked to contact Police. Police initially advised no action, then attended and bag was gone. | NCI | No | Yes | POL311 |
| 49151 | 16/03/2024 | NCI Teignmouth | NCI observed an object in water. HMCG informed, but no incident raised. Local gig called NCI for radio check and was asked to investigate. Debris identified as fishing pot and marker. CG informed. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 49115 | 14/03/2024 | NCI St Donat's Bay | NCI observed a large object drifting in sea, HMCG advised, monitoring requested. Securite issued - hazard to navigation. NCI monitored until visual lost - large tree appeared to be breaking up. | NCI | No | Yes | 507242 |
| 49116 | 13/03/2024 | NCI Porthcawl | HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of 2 persons clinging to large log off bay. NCI had previously recorded a large floating log. Visual of log established, 2 surfers nearby but nothing else. Camera , link established and it was decided there was nobody clinging to log. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 507181 |
| 49100 | 11/03/2024 | NCI Torbay | Pan Pan from vessel with engine failure, lack of fuel and battery failure. NCI had visual, HMCG informed. Casualty had dinghy with outboard attached, and was at anchor. NCI had called Harbour Master, requesting tow, and Fishing vessel arrived to offer tow. CG and HM informed. Casualty towed to marina. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 506922 |
| 49104 | 11/03/2024 | NCI Stone Point | NCI reported to HMCG a paddle boarder appeared to be struggling. NCI asked to monitor, ILB and CRT tasked. ILB arrived, PB appeared okay, CRT gave advice on future efforts. PB safely arrived at, launching point. PB advised to contact NCI before long trips. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 506927 |
| 49105 | 11/03/2024 | NCI Charlestown | MOP informed NCI of object (buoy like) on rocks. HMCG informed. CG mobile tasked, however object under water by then. Photos sent to MOD. NB. Object subsequently proved to be an inert mine. | NCI | No | Yes | 506932 |
| 49087 | 10/03/2024 | NCI Hengistbury Head | HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of paddle boarder in trouble. NCI established visual, and PB seemed fine, monitoring requested. Casualty reached shore safely. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 506799 |
| 49095 | 10/03/2024 | NCI Exmouth | HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of small boat drifting along sea front. NCI had visual, no POB.Vessel drifted to a stop close to RNLI boat house, ILB tasked to recover, CG informed., NB. this a separate incident to 49096, but teated by HMCG as same incident number. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 506782 |
| 49096 | 10/03/2024 | NCI Exmouth | NCI called HMCG re. small boat, partially submerged drifting past lookout. ILB tasked to recover vessel, and NCI updated ILB re. position. ILB recovered vessel. NB. This is separate incident to 49095, although treated as same HMCG incident number. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 506782 |
| 49099 | 10/03/2024 | NCI Newhaven | NCI received call on Ch65 from boatyard re. yacht drifting without power, or lights, 2 POB.HMCG informed, as vessel not visible to NCI. Pan Pan issued, AWLB tasked, NCI stood down | NCI | Yes | Yes | 506845 |
| 49076 | 09/03/2024 | NCI Gosport | Motor vessel called Harbour re. engine failure, Shipping in area notified. Police launch possibly attending. NCI notified HMCG, who issued call on Ch16. Police launch established tow to safety. | NCI | No | Yes | 506688 |
| 49077 | 08/03/2024 | NCI Shoreham | MOP called NCI re. kite surfer in trouble. HMCG informed. AWLB attended as already in area. NCI stood down. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 506604 |
| 49054 | 06/03/2024 | NCI Torbay | Power boat called NCI on Ch65, anticipating they may run out of fuel before reaching harbour. Harbour Master informed, and monitoring requested. Possible tow arranged, but assistance not needed. | NCI | No | No | n/a |
| 49065 | 06/03/2024 | NCI Nare Point | NCI observed a large object drifting in bay. HMCG informed, photo sent. Observation continued, owner of mussel farm informed. Object monitored until out of sight. | NCI | No | Yes | 506365 |
| 49051 | 04/03/2024 | NCI Felixstowe | HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of paraglider possibly in trouble. Visual established, no apparent problem, CG able to view through webcam. NFA. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 506200 |
| 49034 | 03/03/2024 | NCI Torbay | Harbour Master requested NCI observe jetski doing doughnuts too close to anchored cargo vessel, which had expressed concern. NCI located vessel, heading towards harbour. H M advised, and said, appropriate advice would be given. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 49029 | 02/03/2024 | NCI Exmouth | HMCG called NCI re. yacht aground. NCI reported it was upright, slight list. 2 POB, seen using phone. No obvious distress. ILB tasked, took people ashore, vessel anchored, for recovery later. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 505954 |
| 49023 | 02/03/2024 | NCI Lyme Bay | HMCG asked NCI for visual after report of child stuck in mud. Visual and CCTV negative, CG informed. CRT on scene, ambulance attended, child recovered and waiting for ambulance. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 505972 |
| 49011 | 01/03/2024 | NCI Torbay | HMCG asked NCI for weather update as a person had been recovered from sea and a HELO may be needed. NCI advised that that part of the bay was not visible, however did give weather condition report. , Casualty was recovered and transferred to ambulance, but no further input from NCI. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 505865 |
| 49004 | 29/02/2024 | NCI St Alban's Head | MOP called NCI re person acting suspiciously. NCI informed HMCG and Border Force. No further NCI involvement. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 48969 | 27/02/2024 | NCI Folkestone | NCI observed suspicious activity, involving vehicle, and person erecting mast. HMCG informed, and advised inform Police (Special Branch). Police questioned person, outcome unknown. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 48973 | 27/02/2024 | NCI Filey | NCI monitored 3 MOP on rocks, concerned as tide rising. HMCG informed. ILB tasked, but casualties managed to return to shore. Met by CRT. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 505605 |
| 48963 | 26/02/2024 | NCI Hengistbury Head | MOP reported to NCI a dog over the cliff. W/K went to scene, and called HMCG requesting CRT be tasked. Location given. CRT recovered dog safe and well and returned it to owner. | NCI | No | Yes | 505475 |
| 48964 | 26/02/2024 | NCI Worms Head | 2 MOP observed by NCI about to be cut off by tide. HMCG informed. Casualties attempted to cross, siren deployed. ILB and CRT tasked, and casualties recovered to beach. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 505498 |
| 48968 | 26/02/2024 | NCI Teignmouth | HMCG contacted NCI re. report from MOP of capsized jetski. Search revealed nothing, CG informed. AWLB tasked to look, but nothing found. NFA | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 505477 |
| 48974 | 26/02/2024 | NCI Porthcawl | Police contacted NCI to help search for vulnerable MOP. HMCG informed. Police HELO, ILB, and CRT involved. Nothing found by time station closed. Assets stood down. | Police | Yes | Yes | 505489 |
| 48952 | 25/02/2024 | NCI Folkestone | AWLB reported a large blue barrel in the sea, unable to recover object due to weight. NCI had visual, CG informed. Object seen to wash up on beach, CG informed, CRT tasked to collect. | RNLI | No | Yes | PO1057 |
| 48962 | 25/02/2024 | NCI Exmouth | NCI observed a MOP throwing ball for dog into water. Dog unable to retrieve and swept into main channel. MOP undressed to go in after dog. HMCG informed, however dog returned to shore while on phone. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | n/a |
Currently almost 60 National Coastwatch stations are operational and manned by over 2600 volunteer watchkeepers around the British Isles from Fleetwood in the North West, through Wales, to the South and East of England to Filey in North Yorkshire.
National Coastwatch watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears along the coast, monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. They are trained to deal with emergencies offering a variety of skills and experience, and full training by the National Coastwatch ensures that high standards are met.
The words National Coastwatch Institution and Eyes Along the Coast and the NCI logos are Registered Trademarks of NCI.
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