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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46899 | 05/08/2023 | NCI St Alban's Head | MOP informed NCI they found live ammunition on beach. HMCG informed, Public advised to stay clear, photos sent to CG. Military informed and dealt with it. | NCI | No | Yes | 527194 |
| 46900 | 05/08/2023 | NCI Rhoscolyn | HMCG called NCI re. report of Paddle Boarder in difficulty. NCI established visual, clinging to anchored boat. Offshore wind, ebbing tide. Shore party tried to help - unsuccessful. CRT and ILB tasked, and ILB recovered casualty. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 527202 |
| 46906 | 05/08/2023 | NCI Rhoscolyn | MOP informed NCI her friend had fallen on coast path and damaged her ankle. HMCG informed, CRT tasked, W/K assisted with access. CRT recovered casualty to meet ambulance. | NCI | No | Yes | 527229 |
| 46918 | 04/08/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | NCI observed capsized dinghy in shipping channel, HMCG informed. Pilot vessel tasked, to rendezvous with ILB. Object identified as tender from yacht, which was towed to harbour. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 527040 |
| 46987 | 04/08/2023 | NCI Porthdinllaen | MOP reported to NCI a swimmer was in difficulty. HMCG informed. Man observed scrambling onto rocks, AWLB tasked. NCI told casualty to stay on rocks, AWLB launched Y boat to recover casualty. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 527030 |
| 46883 | 04/08/2023 | NCI Nells Point | HMCG called NCI re. RIB with engine failure. NCI had visual, asked to monitor casualty and LGs on jetski attending. ILB tasked and towed RIB back to safety, met by CRT. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 527020 |
| 46885 | 04/08/2023 | NCI Prawle Point | HMCG called NCI asking for visual of angling charter with engine failure. NCI confirmed, gave position, POB, and nearby vessels. ILB tasked and towed casualty to harbour. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 526970 |
| 46907 | 04/08/2023 | NCI Fleetwood | NCI informed HMCG a yacht appeared to be adrift. ILB tasked, but when arrived, vessel was at anchor with 1 POB. NFA | NCI | Yes | Yes | 527039 |
| 46915 | 04/08/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | 999 call to HMCG re. fishing vessel grounded and sinking in river mouth. Other vessels attached lines to strike vessel. NCI requested to monitor. ILB at scene, but returned to base. Vessel remained on, its side, despite attempts to correct, No casualties. Situation unaltered all next day, and ongoing. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 526966 |
| 46863 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Prawle Point | HMCG called NCI re. RIB washed ashore. RIB not visible to NCI. CRT secured RIB above high water mark. Harbour informed, owner to be contacted. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46873 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Torbay | NCI called by HMCG re. 4 kayakers in distress, reported by MOP. NCI established visual, casualties heading for beach, no apparent distress. kayakers eventually lost to sight, but not in distress. NFA | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 526794 |
| 46874 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Torbay | Yacht called NCI on Ch65 with flat battery. NCI called harbour master, who said he would send assistance. Yacht then reported engine started, so assets stood down. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46877 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Fleetwood | May Day from vessel front of NCI, HMCG tasked ILB and AWLB, line around prop. LBs pumped water from vessel, and towed it back to harbour, NCI monitored situation, and conned LB to position. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 526851 |
| 46878 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Bass Point | HMCG called NCI asking to look for 2 persons on one Paddle Board. NCI established visual, casualties drifting out to sea. CG informed - seemed in distress and no lifejackets. AWLB tasked, recovered, both casualties and board back to LB station. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 526871 |
| 46894 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | NCI observed object in water, HMCG informed. CRT tasked, and concerns due to previous days incident (I/R 46891). Object believed to be floating weed clump. NFA | NCI | No | Yes | 526846 |
| 46849 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Nare Point | NCI opened station and saw a drifting inflatable with outboard. HMCG informed and given details of nearby vessels. Yacht informed CG they were taking dinghy under tow, and considered it to have broken, mooring up river. Yacht towed dinghy to sailing club pontoon. | NCI | No | Yes | 526392 |
| 46862 | 03/08/2023 | NCI Prawle Point | HMCG called NCI re. kayaker reported to be in trouble. NCI had visual, no problem apparent. NCI advised CG of vessels in area, one of which CG asked to investigate. Kayaker proceeded safely onwards. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 526770 |
| 46887 | 02/08/2023 | NCI Rhoscolyn | MOP informed NCI a girl had injured her ankle, possibly broken. HMCG informed, CRT tasked. Casualty kept comfortable by MOP, W/K monitored. CRT had difficulty recovering casualty by foot as no , vehicle access. Ambulance eventually dispatched, and although NCI closed for evening, W/K monitored privately and coordinated rendezvous between ambulance and CRT. | NCI | No | Yes | 526685 |
| 46891 | 02/08/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | NCI were informed of a major search for a MISPER, assistance requested. CRT, ILB, AWLB involved after wheelchair found abandoned. NCI searched with Binos and camera, and reviewed CCTV footage., CG HELO tasked, and FW Aircraft then joined search. All day search continued with no conclusion - casualty not located. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 526601 |
| 46848 | 02/08/2023 | NCI Southend | NCI observed commercial fishing vessel aground on sandbank. HMCG informed, no distress signal heard. Passing vessel confirmed situation. NCI closed down while incident ongoing, waiting for tide.. | NCI | No | Yes | 526339 |
| 46818 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Canvey Island | NCI observed 6 MOP walking in dangerous area. HMCG informed. In danger of being cut off by tide. NCI monitored family, and they walked to safety without assistance. NCI informed them of danger. | NCI | No | Yes | 526416 |
| 46822 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Nells Point | HMCG called NCI re. MOP threatening self harm. CRT tasked. Police and ILB involved. Casualty found and taken into care of Police. Assets stood down. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 526420 |
| 46823 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Nells Point | NCI observed paddle boarder struggling against wind and tide. LGs contacted and requested to use jetski. HMCG contacted as second person swam towards casualty. ILB tasked, and conned to casualty, by NCI. Both casualties recovered and safe. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 526441 |
| 46838 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Lyme Bay | Yacht being monitored by NCI was lost to view and AIS in deteriorating weather. HMCG informed of concern. Eventually sighted, CG informed, who continued to monitor. , Vessel later confirmed to be in harbour, and AIS track showed a gap during the time of concern. | NCI | No | Yes | 526455 |
| 46839 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Exmouth | NCI observed 3 swimmers in mid channel with passenger vessel approaching. NCI unable to contact vessel. LGs advised, swimmers returned to shore. HMCG informed of event. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46842 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Southend | Off duty W/K observed a windsurfer in difficulty when station was closed. SM advised HMCG, and station opened by passing W/K ILB tasked and prepared to launch. CRT tasked. Casualty recovered by ILB., Handed over to CRT, Ambulance not required, as casualty recovered while in care of CRT. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 526435 |
| 46813 | 31/07/2023 | NCI Porthcawl | Police requested NCI assist in search for MISPER. HMCG informed. Extensive search until station closed down revealed nothing. Outcome unknown. | Police | No | Yes | POL230 |
| 46783 | 30/07/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | HMCG called NCI re dinghy in trouble. Visual established, possibly baling. ILB on exercise so tasked and conned on by NCI. Casualty recovered by ILB to beach and met by CRT | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 526102 |
| 46784 | 30/07/2023 | NCI St Ives | NCI observed wind surfer in difficulty, HMCG informed. Lifeguards tasked by CG who monitored casualty until safe. | NCI | No | Yes | 526094 |
| 46790 | 30/07/2023 | NCI Mundesley | NCI observed paddle boarder in difficulty, HMCG informed - already aware from LGs, LB tasked, but LGs swam out and towed casualty to shore. CG informed. All safe. | RNLI | Yes | Yes | 526157 |
| 46828 | 30/07/2023 | NCI Folkestone | HMCG called NCI re report of 2 MOP, possibly under influence of alcohol, taking a dinghy onto sands. W/K confirmed sighting, CRT tasked, and took control of situation. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46779 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Charmouth | HMCG called NCI re. MOP report of 2 Paddle Boarders in difficulty. Visual established, did not appear in trouble. Monitored until reached shore themselves. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 525885 |
| 46989 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Porthdinllaen | NCI observed kayak with no occupants, one man doing lifesaving in water. HMCG informed, as dinghy recovered both casualties and kayak to shore. | NCI | No | Yes | 525952 |
| 46786 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Torbay | NCI observed 2 kayaks struggling against wind. HMCG informed, observation requested. Casualties eventually reached calmer water and reached the beach. CG informed, NFA | NCI | No | Yes | 526617 |
| 46771 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Hengistbury Head | NCI observed 2 kayakers capsized, both in water - no lifejackets. HMCG informed. Casualties regained kayak and tried to paddle to shore, without success. ILB tasked, casualties safely recovered. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 525849 |
| 46774 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Mablethorpe | HMCG asked NCI to search for MISPER, after clothing found. Nothing found. Search continued and Casualty reported found. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 525857 |
| 46776 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Mablethorpe | Water officer called NCI re. lost child. HMCG informed. Child was taken to Lifeguards and on the way reunited with parent. CG informed. | NCI | No | Yes | 525907 |
| 46778 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Nells Point | LGs requested NCI search area after call from MOP re. swimmers in difficulty. Nothing seen, HMCG informed, requested to continue monitoring. Nothing seen before station closed. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46762 | 27/07/2023 | NCI Filey | NCI observed 2 MOP cut off by tide. HMCG informed. CRT and ILB tasked. Both casualties self rescued just as ILB launched. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 525579 |
| 46768 | 27/07/2023 | NCI Hornsea | MOP informed NCI they had spotted possible unexploded ordnance on the beach. HMCG informed, given location and photo. | NCI | No | Yes | 271535 |
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.
General enquiries
0300 111 1202
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0845 460 1202
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Cornwall, PL14 4AB