15th February 2023. Recently, HM Coastguard requested the National Coastwatch Institution station at Porthdinllaen to assist them in a ‘wet winch’ exercise. This involved the Coastguard helicopter lowering a crew member down into the sea, before completing a circuit, and returning to winch a second crew member down to the ‘casualty to affect a rescue. The volunteer watchkeepers  role was to always keep the ‘casualty’ in view; so that, should the helicopter be called away in an emergency, the Watchkeepers could guide a rescue vessel to the person in the water. The exercise was completed successfully and the ‘casualty’ was recovered safely. NCI Porthdinllaen have been fortunate to have recruited a new Watchkeeper who is a professional photographer….hence the great picture.