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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46326 | 27/06/2023 | NCI Hengistbury Head | Motor Cruiser lost engine power while on trials, and dropped anchor. HMCG informed. NCI had visual, 2 POB with lifejackets. Pan Pan issued, and a tug went to assist, NCI stood down. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 520740 |
| 46335 | 26/06/2023 | NCI Gosport | HMVG saked NCI to monitor paddle boarder, reported by vessel. NCI established visual. casualty then lost to sight, but RNLI informed CG they had contact with PB on shore. All safe. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 520566 |
| 46338 | 26/06/2023 | NCI Polruan | MOP informed NCI of RIB with engine problems. HMCG informed, ILB tasked, but given wrong location. NCI corrected information. ILB returned to correct location, but no sign of RIB. NFA | NCI | Yes | Yes | 520590 |
| 46317 | 26/06/2023 | NCI Whitstable | HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of kite surfer in difficulty. Visual established but no sign of distress, CRT confirmed all well, CG informed. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 520555 |
| 46301 | 25/06/2023 | NCI Torbay | NCI received call from ferry to say 3 paddle boarders were in trouble due to offshore wind. NCI had visual, called harbour authority but RIB towed them to beach and safety. | NCI | No | No | n/a |
| 46302 | 25/06/2023 | NCI Brancaster | NCI observed 3 girls being blown out to sea on 2 inflatables.HMCG informed, and asked NCI to monitor. 2 Paddle boarders assisted casualties to beach and safety. NFA | NCI | No | Yes | 520335 |
| 46303 | 25/06/2023 | NCI Torbay | AWLB was returning from a call when it was called by a yacht struggling against wind and tide. LB said they would return after dropping off casualties. NCI had visual and conned LB onto yacht, , which was towed to safety by LB. | RNLI | Yes | Yes | n/a |
| 46304 | 25/06/2023 | NCI Torbay | HMCG called NCI re. report of inflatable blown out to sea, unsure if anyone with it. Search revealed nothing, CG informed. NFA | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 520442 |
| 46306 | 25/06/2023 | NCI Calshot Tower | HMCG requested NCI look for yacht aground at harbour entrance. Not visible. ILB tasked, NCI gave location believed to be correct, not as originally given. LB attended, waited for tide, but vessel had, technical issues so towed to safety of marina. | RNLI | Yes | Yes | 520262 |
| 46312 | 25/06/2023 | NCI Torbay | NCI received call from MOP re. 6 persons on 4 paddle boards, which they had been monitoring. HMCG informed. 2 reached beach, then 1 new PB went out to escort them in. CG informed., Remaining PBs went out of sight, so W/K drove to check they had reached beach, all safe, but cold. Only 2 of 7 were wearing buoyancy aids. | NCI | No | Yes | |
| 46286 | 24/06/2023 | NCI Exmouth | NCI observed yacht at anchor in channel, possible engine failure. HMCG informed. Fishing vessel undertook tow back to mooring. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46294 | 24/06/2023 | NCI Torbay | MOP införmed NCI os a shout for help , visibility zero due to fog. HMCG informed, CRT tasked and spoke to informant. AWLB and ILB tasked and assisted paddle boarders in distress in fog. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 520093 |
| 46297 | 24/06/2023 | NCI Charmouth | HMCG called NCI re. report of inflatable kayak with 2 adults and 2 children on board lost in fog. NCI just had visual, and monitored until they came ashore. All safe, CG informed. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 520028 |
| 46283 | 23/06/2023 | NCI Froward Point | NCI observed RIB being towed by second RIB. Towing RIB then left the first to paddle back to river mouth, no lifejackets. HMCG informed. RIB then moved out of view, and harbour authority asked , for details so they could investigate. Rope cleared from prop. CG then informed the prop had cleared and casualty was making way up river, river officer in attendance. | NCI | No | Yes | 519840 |
| 46277 | 23/06/2023 | NCI Hengistbury Head | HMCG requested NCI join search for injured MOP. Casualty found by CRT, ILB stood down. ambulance recovered casualty. MOP handed belongings of casualty to NCI, CG informed. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 519803 |
| 46278 | 23/06/2023 | NCI Exmouth | Yacht called on VHF to advise it had engine failure and was under tow. Engine resorted, then failed again and tow restarted by fishing vessel. HMCG informed. Casualty towed to mooring. | NCI | No | Yes | 519825 |
| 46282 | 22/06/2023 | NCI Nells Point | NCI observed 2 inflatables, 2 adults and 2 children no lifejackets, being blown onto rocks. Unable to reach beach. HMCG informed, NCI asked to monitor. Casualties climbed over rocks to self rescue, , CG informed. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46284 | 22/06/2023 | NCI Froward Point | NCI observed RIB, 2 POB, no lifejackets, head due south for 2 miles. HMCG informed, NCI asked to monitor. RIB moved from buoy to buoy, CG asked nearby vessel to investigate., No concern reported, CG advised, RIB began to return, NFA. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46262 | 22/06/2023 | NCI Brancaster | NCI observed what was thought to be inflatable with 1 MOP on board. HMCG informed, CRT and ILB tasked, however casualty was a damaged channel buoy on its side. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 519672 |
| 46275 | 22/06/2023 | NCI Rame Head | Vessel called HMCG re. engine failure. CG issued Pan Pan. NCI informed CG they had visual, and gave accurate position. 2 RN RIBs and dive boat attended, and dive boat towed casualty to berth in river., Pan Pan cancelled. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 519669 |
| 46337 | 21/06/2023 | NCI Polruan | Off duty W/K reported to NCI swimmers in navigation channel. NCI tried phoning harbour office, and patrol vessel - no reply. Ferry departed and was well clear of swimmers - NFA | NCI | No | No | n/a |
| 46246 | 21/06/2023 | NCI Hengistbury Head | HMCG called NCI re. call from MOP about clothes on beach with no-one in sight. NCI did search, and saw surfer lying on board. Surfer appeared to be struggling. Sea mist then rolled in, so nothing further could be done due to visibility. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 519424 |
| 46254 | 21/06/2023 | NCI Mablethorpe | NCI observed canoe heading to trawler. Large package handed to trawler. HMCG informed, canoe returned to shore. CRT tasked, investigated, and it was confirmed to be a delivery of food. | NCI | No | Yes | 519442 |
| 46259 | 21/06/2023 | NCI Teignmouth | NCI observed 3 paddle boarders in difficulty, accompanied by 2 snorkelers. Unable to contact lifeguards, so informed HMCG. CG informed LGs who launched jetski. Casualties recovered to beach. | NCI | No | Yes | 519448 |
| 46242 | 20/06/2023 | NCI Newhaven | HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of windsurfer possibly in difficulty. NCI had visual, and would monitor. casualty made way back to beach without problem, CG informed. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 519332 |
| 46243 | 20/06/2023 | NCI Newhaven | Pan Pan from fishing vessel with engine problems. NCI gave HMCG vessel details from AIS. NCI monitored vessel, which managed to return to harbour. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 519342 |
| 46252 | 20/06/2023 | NCI Porthcawl | Police requested NCI assist with search after MOP reported clothing found on beach.HMCG informed. Extensive visual and camera search carried out, nothing found. | Police | No | Yes | POL135 |
| 46236 | 19/06/2023 | NCI Lyme Bay | MOP informed NCI there was a chemical container on beach. HMCG informed, photo supplied. CRT tasked, and removed container | NCI | No | Yes | 519142 |
| 46271 | 18/06/2023 | NCI Portland Bill | Vessel reported engine problems. AWLB tasked by HMCG and towed casualty into harbour. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 518512 |
| 46225 | 18/06/2023 | NCI Brancaster | NCI observed 2 MOP cut off by tide. HMCG informed, CRT tasked. It then transpired that they were sat on a Jetski, which was not visible due to low altitude of lookout. | NCI | No | Yes | 519018 |
| 46227 | 17/06/2023 | NCI Bass Point | MOP reported to NCI an unmanned rowing boat was drifting. HMCG informed, and they already were aware. CRT tasked, but found nothing. NFA | NCI | No | Yes | 518740 |
| 46231 | 17/06/2023 | NCI Nells Point | NCI heard call from HMCG re. paddle boarder reported by MOP to be in difficulty. NCI saw 1 paddle boarder, went for better view, saw 2 paddle boarders, neither in trouble. CRT and ILB tasked., ILB arrived, and told paddle boarders were fine. NFA | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 518881 |
| 46235 | 17/06/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | NCI observed windsurfer in difficulty. HMCH informed. Second WS went to assist. Local rescue craft tasked, but on arrival casualty declined assistance, and managed to get ashore, despite injuries., CRT attended, and casualty still declined assistance, NFA. | NCI | No | Yes | 518762 |
| 46219 | 17/06/2023 | NCI Calshot Tower | NCI observed 2 MOP in 2 kayaks stranded on mud. HMCG informed, ILB had been contacted by day centre, but unable to get near.Fire Brigade tasked, using inflatable mats. CRT also present., Casualties recovered safely to shore. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 518803 |
| 46220 | 17/06/2023 | NCI Porthcawl | HMCG contacted NCI re. report of Jetski in difficulty. Casualty located, 2 POB, CG informed. ILB tasked, took casualties on board and recovered them and jetski to slipway and safety. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 518868 |
| 46223 | 17/06/2023 | NCI Exmouth | HMCG called NCI re. MOP report of vessel, 10 POB, drifting with possible engine failure. NCI did not have visual. During call, CG reported vessel under way. NFA | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46226 | 17/06/2023 | NCI Wells-next-the-Sea | 5 MOP plus 2 dogs observed by NCI, cut off by tide. HMCG informed, ILB tasked and recovered all casualties to safety. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 518812 |
| 46204 | 16/06/2023 | NCI Prawle Point | Pan Pan issued from yacht with fouled prop. HMCG informed NCI did not have visual. AWLB tasked and took casualty under tow. NCI then established visual. Casualty towed to harbour. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 518500 |
| 46206 | 16/06/2023 | NCI Porthcawl | NCI were monitoring child on rocks, causing concern, when they were called by HMCG re. child, reported by MOP. Camera link provided to CG, casualty reached safety of beach. Possible second , child on rocks also reached safety | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 518552 |
| 46210 | 16/06/2023 | NCI Chapel Point | Police requested NCI assist search for missing vulnerable adult. CCTV used, and extensive search of area revealed nothing. Person not located. | Police | No | Yes | 518624 |
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
Media enquiries
0845 460 1202
17 Dean Street, Liskeard,
Cornwall, PL14 4AB