Highlights of 2026
NATIONAL COASTWATCH SIGNS ARMED FORCES COVENANT
National Coastwatch is proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, joining a broad line-up of organisations that have pledged their commitment to and support for the Armed Forces, its veterans and their families.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and with respect.
The Covenant supports serving personnel, service leavers, veterans, and their families, and is fulfilled by the different groups that have committed to making a difference.
Representatives from National Coastwatch, Trustee Frank Moxon and Gillian Woodcock, Head of Digital Marketing & Fundraising –Stations, were present at a ceremonial signing of the Covenant this week (22 June) in Truro at the start of Armed Forces Week. It was organised by Cornwall Council and attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Chair of Cornwall Council, representatives from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Sea Cadets and Air Cadets, armed forces veterans and other Cornish mayors. Music was provided at the ceremony by the Military Wives Choir.
Signing the Covenant: Frank Moxon, National Coastwatch Trustee and Wing Commander Alex Drake, Wessex Air Employer Engagement OfficerNational Coastwatch Trustee Frank Moxon said:
"We are proud that a very significant proportion of our 2,900 volunteers are Armed Forces veterans. As a uniformed service providing a mission-critical role within the UK maritime Search & Rescue community, we offer them relevant volunteering experience and benefit from their unique skills and experience. We are delighted to formalise our strong relationship with them, by signing the Armed Forces Covenant as a further commitment to support those who serve and have served."
High Sheriff Awards for NCI Fleetwood
The crew from NCI Fleetwood have been honoured for their commitment to helping to save lives at the coast at a special ceremony hosted by the outgoing High Sheriff of Lancashire, James Carter.
The event celebrated charities making a significant contribution to communities across the county, with National Coastwatch volunteers praised for their dedication within the search and rescue sector.
Representing the Fleetwood station were Station Manager Stuart Gay, Water Safety Officer Ian Glass and Community Fundraising Officer David Johnson.
Regional media also attended and Stuart told the Blackpool Gazette: “Attending a ceremony like this, along with other organisations and charities recognised by the High Sheriff, made me realise just how much need there is across Lancashire, and no doubt, beyond, and how many people are prepared to step up and use their skills.
“Sometimes people step out of their comfort zone and develop new skills to help those with the greatest need. It is humbling to know that so much good is taking place. It was an honour and a privilege to be invited by the High Sheriff of Lancashire to this event and be recognised for the work the volunteers at NCI do.”
#EyesAlongTheCoast
High Sheriff award for NCI Shoreham
The National Coastwatch (NCI) station at Shoreham has been formally recognised for its outstanding work in the West Sussex community, with a prestigious award from the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Dr Tim Fooks FRCGP.
A special ceremony was held on 12 March during which the High Sheriff presented awards to selected individuals and organisations whose work to benefit others has been shown to be truly outstanding.
Presenting the certificate to NCI Shoreham Station Manager Colin Clay, Dr Tim Fooks congratulated the station’s volunteers and said:
"The work that you do to care for and serve others is both exceptional and inspirational and, during my year in Office, it has been a great privilege for me to have been able to observe and understand what you do and, on occasion, offer my own support.”
Accepting the award on behalf of NCI Shoreham’s 76 members, Station Manager Colin Clay said:
“I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this award for our station and on behalf of all our wonderful volunteers. It came as a complete surprise and it’s a real lift for all our crew who always pull together to keep our daily watches going, raise funds for our station and most of all play vital role in helping to keep people safe along this busy stretch of coastline.”
National Coastwatch in Shoreham has been operational since June 2008. The Station is situated on the west side of Shoreham Harbour entrance, overlooking the shingle beach and the coast between Brighton and Worthing.
VOLUNTEERING AND A SEAFARING CAREER AHEAD FOR CATHERINE
Skills learned from watchkeeper training with National Coastwatch (NCI) can take you far. And in the case of Catherine from Folkestone, those skills form part of a plan that’s set to take her around the world in a seafaring career.
Catherine has embarked on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) training programme, working towards becoming a fully qualified deck officer in 2028. She’s also enrolled as a trainee watchkeeper at her local station near her home in Folkestone to help keep local coastal users safe and to acquire valuable skills for use in her work.
“I called into the station out of curiosity while I was waiting for my RFA training to start. I had no idea what the watchkeepers did and I was given a warm welcome. It was a happy coincidence that made it a win-win. I wanted to do something meaningful, and the bonus is that I’m getting a head start on skills I’ll be using in my career such as chartwork, navigation basics and VHF radio operation,” she said.
Catherine originally studied music and planned a future in the arts but a chance couple of holiday jobs started a chain of events that led her to pursue a different career.
“I worked on the cross-channel ferries and loved that and later, while on holiday from university, I worked on the Thames Clipper boats as a deckhand. Those memories and feelings were so strong that I investigated all types of seafaring opportunities and was lucky enough to be accepted onto the Royal Fleet Auxiliary training programme,” she explained.
Her training is now well under-way, having completed her induction at Dartmouth. Catherine is now on the next phase at Fleetwood Nautical Campus and from there she will complete four to six months at sea for deck officer training. When she returns to her home base, she plans to continue her watchkeeper training at NCI Folkestone and volunteer in her spare time.
Volunteering and watchkeeper training brings so many benefits and opens doors, said Catherine:
“For anyone who wants to expand their skills and horizons, National Coastwatch is brilliant.
The people are lovely and for me the experience of volunteering not only brings valuable life skills plus specific skills to help my career, most importantly I know I’m helping to make a difference. I’d definitely recommend it.”
Stephen Hand, NCI’s Chair said:
“Volunteering with National Coastwatch offers excellent opportunities to learn new technical skills but the greatest advantage is working as part of a strong team of people committed to their mission to help save lives at sea. This experience is a great benefit to career development and we're delighted that Catherine hopes to continue volunteering with us, fitting it around her career commitments."
To find out more about volunteering Volunteering – National Coastwatch
Congratulations to youngest watchkeeper at NCI St Agnes Head
Many congratulations to Tim and all the crew at NCI St Agnes Head on Tim's success at becoming the station's youngest-ever watchkeeper!
Tim is now 18 and he passed his watchkeeper assessment with flying colours and has now received his epaulettes.
St. Agnes Head NCI was approached last year by Tim, a local 17 year old who wanted to know if he could become a Watchkeeper. Tim has an interest in the sea and is currently studying Marine Engineering at college. His aim is to work in the Merchant Navy.
Supported by NCI St Donat's Bay where there is an established cadet programme, NCI St Agnes Head watchkeepers Sally and David obtained the necessary safeguarding checks. They said it was an absolute pleasure to teach Tim, adding that it was made easy thanks to Tim's quick and enquiring mind.