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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46839 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Exmouth | NCI observed 3 swimmers in mid channel with passenger vessel approaching. NCI unable to contact vessel. LGs advised, swimmers returned to shore. HMCG informed of event. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46842 | 01/08/2023 | NCI Southend | Off duty W/K observed a windsurfer in difficulty when station was closed. SM advised HMCG, and station opened by passing W/K ILB tasked and prepared to launch. CRT tasked. Casualty recovered by ILB., Handed over to CRT, Ambulance not required, as casualty recovered while in care of CRT. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 526435 |
| 46813 | 31/07/2023 | NCI Porthcawl | Police requested NCI assist in search for MISPER. HMCG informed. Extensive search until station closed down revealed nothing. Outcome unknown. | Police | No | Yes | POL230 |
| 46783 | 30/07/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | HMCG called NCI re dinghy in trouble. Visual established, possibly baling. ILB on exercise so tasked and conned on by NCI. Casualty recovered by ILB to beach and met by CRT | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 526102 |
| 46784 | 30/07/2023 | NCI St Ives | NCI observed wind surfer in difficulty, HMCG informed. Lifeguards tasked by CG who monitored casualty until safe. | NCI | No | Yes | 526094 |
| 46790 | 30/07/2023 | NCI Mundesley | NCI observed paddle boarder in difficulty, HMCG informed - already aware from LGs, LB tasked, but LGs swam out and towed casualty to shore. CG informed. All safe. | RNLI | Yes | Yes | 526157 |
| 46828 | 30/07/2023 | NCI Folkestone | HMCG called NCI re report of 2 MOP, possibly under influence of alcohol, taking a dinghy onto sands. W/K confirmed sighting, CRT tasked, and took control of situation. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46776 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Mablethorpe | Water officer called NCI re. lost child. HMCG informed. Child was taken to Lifeguards and on the way reunited with parent. CG informed. | NCI | No | Yes | 525907 |
| 46778 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Nells Point | LGs requested NCI search area after call from MOP re. swimmers in difficulty. Nothing seen, HMCG informed, requested to continue monitoring. Nothing seen before station closed. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46779 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Charmouth | HMCG called NCI re. MOP report of 2 Paddle Boarders in difficulty. Visual established, did not appear in trouble. Monitored until reached shore themselves. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 525885 |
| 46989 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Porthdinllaen | NCI observed kayak with no occupants, one man doing lifesaving in water. HMCG informed, as dinghy recovered both casualties and kayak to shore. | NCI | No | Yes | 525952 |
| 46786 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Torbay | NCI observed 2 kayaks struggling against wind. HMCG informed, observation requested. Casualties eventually reached calmer water and reached the beach. CG informed, NFA | NCI | No | Yes | 526617 |
| 46771 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Hengistbury Head | NCI observed 2 kayakers capsized, both in water - no lifejackets. HMCG informed. Casualties regained kayak and tried to paddle to shore, without success. ILB tasked, casualties safely recovered. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 525849 |
| 46774 | 29/07/2023 | NCI Mablethorpe | HMCG asked NCI to search for MISPER, after clothing found. Nothing found. Search continued and Casualty reported found. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 525857 |
| 46777 | 27/07/2023 | NCI Felixstowe | HMCG called NCI re. Paddle Boarder reported to be in trouble by MOP. Visual established, ILB tasked, yacht also attended. Casualty confirmed on land, and hiding. ILB stood down., Regular call, always same Paddle Boarder, CRT approached but refused to engage. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 525559 |
| 46762 | 27/07/2023 | NCI Filey | NCI observed 2 MOP cut off by tide. HMCG informed. CRT and ILB tasked. Both casualties self rescued just as ILB launched. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 525579 |
| 46768 | 27/07/2023 | NCI Hornsea | MOP informed NCI they had spotted possible unexploded ordnance on the beach. HMCG informed, given location and photo. | NCI | No | Yes | 271535 |
| 46754 | 24/07/2023 | NCI Nells Point | NCI observed yacht, 3 POB, aground. HMCG informed, no immediate danger. NCI asked to monitor. Update reported 1 person in water trying to refloat. ILB passing so tasked to check. ILB then returned to , harbour. Casualty tried to move clear, crew baling or paddling. CRT then involved, ILB then tasked, reported crew fine, NCI monitored until station closed. Yacht escorted to safety. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 525206 |
| 46732 | 23/07/2023 | NCI Chapel Point | HMCG called NCI requesting assistance to search for missing person. Nothing seen by NCI or ILB which was also involved in search. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 524928 |
| 46736 | 23/07/2023 | NCI Exmouth | MOP informed NCI of a broken down jet ski. HMCG informed, and asked NCI to locate and advise. Casualty located, having reached the beach safely. CG informed. | NCI | No | Yes | 524985 |
| 46739 | 23/07/2023 | NCI Skegness | HMCG contacted NCI re. MISPER, asked to search. ILB tasked. Nothing seen, search taken over by Police. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 524928 |
| 46740 | 23/07/2023 | NCI Skegness | NCI informed HMCG inflatable kayak, 2 POB struggling against wind to get ashore. NCI monitored for 20 minutes until casualties finally reached shore. CRT attended and gave advice. | NCI | No | Yes | 525021 |
| 46741 | 23/07/2023 | NCI Shoreham | RNLI contacted NCI for weather report, concerned for abandoned kite and board. ILB tasked, and conned onto kite. ILB recovered kite, owner made himself known to RNLI. | RNLI | Yes | Yes | 524993 |
| 46746 | 23/07/2023 | NCI Gosport | Pan Pan from sailing vessel with rigging failure. NCI had visual, HMCG informed. Harbour patrol attended, and casualty escorted to harbour and safety. Pan Pan cancelled. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 524961 |
| 46721 | 21/07/2023 | NCI Porthcawl | MOP approached NCI to help search for missing relative. MISPER details taken, HMCG informed, Police involved. Extensive search revealed nothing and station closed down. Situation ongoing. | NCI | No | Yes | 524704 |
| 46722 | 21/07/2023 | NCI Nells Point | NCI observed MOP crossing to island just before causeway flooded. HMCG informed. MOP moved out of view, causeway flooded, assumed remaining on island until tide receded. | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46729 | 21/07/2023 | NCI Bembridge | NCI overheard Pan Pan from yacht with loss of power. AWLB tasked, NCI gave CG a description of vessel and gave accurate location. Tow commenced by LB Pan Pan cancelled. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 524645 |
| 46701 | 21/07/2023 | NCI Hengistbury Head | PWC called NCI on Ch65 - lost power. NCI called HMCG and Pan Pan declared. NCI established visual. Passing small vessel offered help, and towed to safety of sailing club. | NCI | No | Yes | 524477 |
| 46717 | 20/07/2023 | NCI St Agnes Head | Small fishing vessel called HMCG requesting assistance back to harbour - machinery failure. Vessels asked to assist, yacht towed casualty back to harbour. NCI monitored situation, visually and radio. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 524512 |
| 46726 | 20/07/2023 | NCI Canvey Island | NCI observed a naked man on beach. HMCG informed. NCI asked to monitor. CRT tasked and had a chat with person | NCI | No | Yes | n/a |
| 46715 | 20/07/2023 | NCI Rhoscolyn | HMCG called ILB re. speed boat with engine failure and drifting. NCI overheard, told CG they had visual. NCI conned ILB to casualty via CH65, which towed it to harbour and safety | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 524487 |
| 46676 | 19/07/2023 | NCI Torbay | Yacht informed HMCG they had engine failure, and could not make Dartmouth. NCI advised CG fog was lifting and would supervise vessel. No issues on board. Vessel reached Brixham safely, CG informed | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 524231 |
| 46696 | 19/07/2023 | NCI Nells Point | NCI observed 7 MOP + dog approaching flooded causeway. HMCG informed. CRT and ILB tasked. % casualties + dog manage to wade across, and ILB recover other 2. CRT gave safety advice. | NCI | Yes | Yes | 524380 |
| 46698 | 19/07/2023 | NCI Shoreham | HMCG called NCI re. hydrofoil down in water, reported by fisherman. NCI observed wing foiler then get back up and return to beach. CRT tasked to follow up reports, NCI stood down. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 524350 |
| 46689 | 18/07/2023 | NCI Nare Point | Yacht contacted HMCG with crab pot gear around prop. 1 POB.Vessel nearby offered diver to assist. NCI had visual, gave accurate position and weather. Diver unable to untangle, AWLB tasked, and towed to harbour. | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 524189 |
| 46654 | 17/07/2023 | NCI Bass Point | NCI observed vessel anchored in submarine cable exclusion zone. BT marine informed. BT marine aware and monitoring. NFA | NCI | No | No | n/a |
| 46655 | 17/07/2023 | NCI Hengistbury Head | NCI heard MV loss of power Pan Pan. NCI had visual, HMCG informed. AWLB tasked, and undertook tow to safety of harbour. NFA | MCA/HMCG | Yes | Yes | 524040 |
| 46656 | 17/07/2023 | NCI Torbay | HMCG called NCI re. concern for swimmer reported by MOP. Visual check requested. Nothing seen, and Paddle Boarder on scene showing no concern. NFA | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 524072 |
| 46661 | 17/07/2023 | NCI Cape Cornwall | Pan Pan from yacht with broken fuel line and leak. Close to rocks. No vessels in area to assist. AWLB tasked and towed to harbour and safety. (see I/R 46653 - Gwennap Head) | NCI | Yes | Yes | 524032 |
| 46663 | 17/07/2023 | NCI Cape Cornwall | HMCG called NCI re. paddle boarder in difficulty. Area out of view for NCI. Vessel details which may be in area reported to CG. | MCA/HMCG | No | Yes | 524055 |
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