COASTWATCH - Why YOU Should support it!

Hello, and welcome to our Blog that raises awareness about the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI). We would greatly appreciate it if you could please read our blog and comment on it! We would dearly like it if you would agree & support this cause in the future!

Firstly, who are the NCI? The NCI is a voluntary organisation that helps to keep a watch around the coastline of the UK. This organisation was founded in 1994 when two fishermen lost their lives off the Cornish coast, near a recently closed Coastguard station. This is when the local people decided it was time to reopen and restore the visual watch and save lives that could otherwise have been lost out at sea and around the area. When this station at Bass point was opened, the NCI was created.

The N.C.I does a VERY important job! There are volunteers at the watch towers 365 days a year (even Christmas Day) because they are so committed to the protection and safety of others. They provide a permanent service unlike the lifeguards. The volunteers do a number of jobs whilst at the tower.

These include:

• They call the R.N.L.I or emergency services if they see anyone out at sea in trouble, from yachts to surfers.
• They can also do the same for anyone walking along the beach or coastal paths around sea cliffs.
• Watching and logging ships- they can report them if they go missing.
• Even when the visibility is poor, they can use high-tech equipment such as radar and radios to keep in touch with any vessels.
• On top of all this, they can spot wildlife that is rare to see (e.g. dolphins and basking sharks) and let charities know of their presence.
• Divers, tomb stoners, canoeists, walkers, fishermen... you name it, they spot it!

Overall, anything near the sea or on the sea is made safe by the N.C.I. - the list is endless!

If you visit the beach most days or perhaps just once a year, the National Coastwatch Institution can keep you safe in at least one of the above ways. However, the voluntary group relies completely on public donations and so can only go on securing our coastline if we give donations. There are 37 watchtowers around England and Wales, but as the U.K is an island we have a huge amount of coastline left unguarded and treacherous. So please remember:

IF YOU GIVE A LITTLE, THEY CAN SAVE A LOT

Thank you very much for taking your time to read our blog! We hope that you can now answer a few questions about our chosen organisation;
1. Had you heard of this voluntary organisation before?
2. Do you now feel more informed about whom they are and what job they provide?
3. Would you be prepared to support the NCI in the future, this means giving donations, supporting and signing petitions etc.?
4. Would you tell others about this voluntary organisation and the job that they provide?

Many thanks, Alice & Megan
For more information visit http://www.nci.org.uk/