17th May 2023, HRH The Princess Royal, as Royal Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution, visited the NCI Gosport station which overlooks the entrance to Portsmouth’s busy harbour.
The Princess Royal was received at the station in the Signal Tower of Fort Blockhouse by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mr Nigel Atkinson, who presented the NCI Chairman Mr Clive Pouncey and NCI Gosport Station Manager, Mr Colin Church.
Mr Church escorted Her Royal Highness into the lookout at the top of the Signal Tower and presented the two watchkeepers on duty, Ms Caroline Hildrew and Mr Nick Carter.
Fort Blockhouse is an existing military establishment in Gosport, surrounded on three sides by water, with a long history dating back to 1431. From a commanding position, the National Coastwatch volunteer watchkeepers maintain a daily visual and radio watch of the Portsmouth Harbour entrance as well as the Eastern Solent, reporting any coastal safety-related incidents to HM Coastguard and the King’s Harbour Master, Portsmouth.
NCI Gosport has Declared Facility Status and reports to HM Coastguard. National Coastwatch is a wholly volunteer organisation, with over 2,650 highly trained watchkeepers working from 59 stations around England and Wales. NCI’s prime objective is the protection and preservation of life around our coasts.
After visiting the station, The Princess Royal then attended a reception for NCI watchkeepers and guests at the Hornet Services Sailing Club. She was received by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant before meeting NCI Gosport volunteer watchkeepers, NCI Trustees and representatives of other organisations. These included HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, GAFIRS Lifeboat (independent lifeboat and inshore rescue service) and Fort Blockhouse MoD.
Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque to commemorate the visit and presented NCI long service awards to:
· Five years’ service: Jenny Chilvers, Andrew Smith, Len King
· Ten years’ service: David Burden
Mr Clive Pouncey, NCI chair said: “Her Royal Highness is a committed and enthusiastic supporter of National Coastwatch and we are deeply grateful for her patronage. As a Royal Patron she devotes much time to our cause and we are honoured that this is her third visit to one of our stations this year, having already visited NCI Felixstowe and St Donat’s Bay.”