National Coastwatch Institution

The National Coastwatch Institution is a voluntary organisation and registered charity,[1][2] providing a visual watch along the UK's coasts, and is not to be confused with HM Coastguard.

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) was founded in Cornwall in 1994 following the deaths of two local fishermen whose boat sank within sight of a then recently closed coastguard station at Bass Point.

Although never fully admitted or responsibility accepted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or HM Government, it was speculated within the local community that were the watch keepers' station still staffed then the fishermen in distress would have been spotted and assistance sent[citation needed].

[citation needed] Following the successful launch of NCI Bass Point, other stations quickly followed in Devon, Cornwall, East Anglia, Somerset, Sussex, Essex, Dorset, and South Wales.

In addition, many hundreds of minor incidents were dealt with including informing the coastguard and police of lost, found and missing children, distressed marine wildlife, ordnance on beaches, chemical drums, large carcasses and dangerous debris washed up.

For watchkeepers this includes but is not limited to, understanding VHF Mayday, Pan Pan & Securite and the associated procedures, communication protocols for working with SAR assets, observation techniques, plotting and chart work, understanding of emergency beacons and operation of AIS / radar terminals.