27th March 2022. The volunteer watchkeepers of the National Coastwatch Institution will soon be keeping a sharp lookout for anybody in need of help off the coast of the Isle of Wight, thanks to a pioneering trial between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and NCI.

It begins next month when our watchkeepers will share facilities with the Coastguard rescue team at Bembridge.

The trial, which is the first of its kind in the UK, will initially be run during the weekends and bank holidays from the beginning of April until the end of September 2022.

A spokesperson said “This is a fantastic initiative that we're so proud to be a part of”.