IF YOU LET THE NCI DROWN, SO WILL YOU!

To begin with, I would like to thank you for taking an interest in my blog! I feel strongly about supporting people who provide a voluntary service to help others and this is what the NCI (National Coastwatch Institution) do. Not many people are aware of the NCI and its roles in which it provides for us nationally, and this is where I want to step in. Once you have read my blog, I am hoping that you will understand a bit more about the NCI and the good work they do. Please post a comment below and answer the questions at the end of the blog, thank you.  Firstly, who are the NCI and what do they provide for us? The NCI is a very worthy charity that provides a lookout to all of the coast of England. All of the members cover coast watch towers 365 days a year watching the ocean for any incidents that might occur. They save many lives each year but not many people are aware of this charity, particularly if they live in land. Unlike the MCA (Marine Coastguard Agency) and HMCG (Her Majesty’s Coastguard) the NCI provide their time at no cost as they want you to be safe. All of the volunteers are so committed to the protection and safety of others and they provide a regular service. The volunteers do a number of jobs whilst at the tower, here are only a few;

 

• They call the MCA (Marine Coastguard Agency) and HMCG (Her Majesty’s Coastguard) if they see anyone out at sea in distress

• They also applies to anyone walking along the beach or coastal paths around the sea cliffs

• Watching and logging ships- they can report them if they go missing

• Even when the visibility is reduced, they can use there high-tech equipment such as radars and radios to keep in touch with any vessels

• On top of all this, they can spot sea wildlife, which is quite rare to see (e.g. dolphins) and let animal charities know of their presence

As you can see, the volunteers provide a variety of helpful jobs. The following statistics show how useful their role is…

• Number of incidents - 304
• Number of hours manned - 190,039
• Number of stations - 46
• Number of watch keepers – 2,021
• NCI initiated RNLI lifeboat rescues - 53
• Vessels Identified & Logged – 424,497

 

All at no cost to the nation. 

So, how can you support the NCI? The NCI have many ways in which you can support them. You can donate to the NCI as every aspect of NCI relies upon voluntary contribution. You can help them enormously with a donation to the ‘NCI Development Fund’ this enables new stations to open up as well as providing financial assistance to up and running stations in need of extra help. Also they have an NCI shop where you can buy items at bargain prices in relation to the NCI. The NCI are always looking for volunteers to train as watch keepers, not just for stations that are already up and running but also for the additional stations that are in the process of being opened up around the UK coastline. Also, the NCI hold regular events around the UK which vary from Black Bess borris dancing to new stations being officially opened with singers, dancers and musicians. The NCI do as much for the worthy charity as they can. Thank you so much for taking your time to read my blog! I hope that you can now answer some questions.

Go online and visit the NCI website today: www.nci.org.uk

 

1. Please tell me your hometown & country. (If not the UK.)

 

2. Have you ever heard of this voluntary organisation before this blog?

 

3. Do you now feel more informed about who they are and what jobs they do?

 

4. Would you be prepared to support the NCI tower Torbay in the future, meaning giving donations, supporting there events etc.?

 

5. Would you tell others about this voluntary organisation and the job that they provide?

 

 

The NCI assits in saving boats like this all over England, wouldn’t you like to be a part of that? If so, join the NCI today or become involved with ‘The friends of NCI’ who raise the money to help the NCI.