23 July 2023 is National Coastwatch Day. It’s a great day for you to find out what we do – either by taking a look around our website, on our social media or by visiting your nearest station if you’re at the coast.
For us: It’s a day when we celebrate what we do as a voluntary organisation and asset of HM Coastguard. We keep a visual and listening watch on the coast, looking out for your safety every day.
For you: It’s a chance to get an inside look at what goes on in our stations. There are 59 of them around England and Wales and our volunteers love meeting visitors. You may be interested in volunteering, getting some local coastal safety information on tides and any hazards or just simply satisfying your curiosity – whatever your interest, you’ll be welcome.
OPEN DAYS
Many of our stations are planning special events and open days this Sunday 23 July for you and your family to enjoy, including:
NCI Folkestone, Copt Point, Wear Bay Road, Folkestone, CT19 6BJ
Time: 10.00 - 17.00
Visited by HRH The Princess Royal earlier this week (18 July), it’s your chance to see what she saw too. The event includes, tours of the station viewing the French Coast through some very powerful binoculars, presentations about the station’s amazing history and what NCI do, cupcake/cake and refreshments stand, tombola and dog treats for your four-legged friends.
NCI Lee-on-the-Solent, Beach Car Park, Marine Parade East, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hants, PO13 9LA
Time: 10am to 4pm
It’s all going on here. Sing along to the Shanty Singers, have a guided tour of the station, take part in a throw line challenge, a children’s colouring competition and a treasure hunt. Meet some of our partners – our local Coastguard Rescue Team and GAFIRS lifeboat crew.
NCI Minehead, The Avenue (beach end), Minehead
Time: 10am to 4pm
NCI Minehead is a new team, currently in a mobile unit but this friendly bunch will be outside and ready to welcome you. Meet the new volunteer watchkeepers for Minehead, learn about what they'll do, and how they'll do it. See the 'Original Minehead Metalheads' presentation of our new Station Mascot. Not to mention coastal and water safety information, children's activities and giveaways.
NCI Exmouth, Queens Drive, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2AY
Time: 10am to 4pm
Come along to Coastwatch House on the Exmouth sea front. Get some coastal safety information for the family to help you enjoy great days out at the beach and learn about the local area. Meet some of our friendly watchkeepers and find out what it takes to be one of them or if you’d just like to help us out by supporting us, we welcome that too!
NCI Mablethorpe, Sea View Car Park, Off Quebec Road, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, LN12 1LT
Time: 11am to 3pm
That’s the way to do it! Lots of fun for all with a Punch and Judy show, goodie bags and plenty of coastal safety information so you and your loved ones are all set for summer. If you turn up in the morning, you may even see our Mablethorpe RNLI friends out and about.
NCI Skegness, meet the crews on the Winthorpe Promenade
Time: 10am to 4pm
May the sun shine on Skegeness this Sunday. Rain or shine, nothing stops our watchkeepers from looking out for safety – whether it’s keeping a log of all the vessels in our range or helping keep children safe on the beach. There's lots to entertain and discover about how we look out for you at Skegness.
NCI Nells Point, Barry Island, Barry, CF62 5DW
Time: 11am until 4pm (weather permitting)
Come and take a look from the best view in town! You may not spot TV favourites Gavin and Stacey, but you’ll be able to see what our watchkeepers see and even take a look through some of our high powered binoculars. Meet some of the watchkeepers and get a sneak peek at what really goes on inside the vantage point with panoramic views across to the Somerset and Devon coasts.
Check out your nearest station here and why not follow them on social media too? https://intranet.nci.org.uk/station-map