Review 2018

A busy year, with 11 newly qualified watchkeepers making 70 in total, an increased number of watches and 40 incidents recorded, half initiated by Solent Coastguard.

To celebrate our 20th anniversary year an Open Day was held in May, supported by the RNLI with the ILB alongside for a visit.

Our neighbours in the Exmouth Rowing Club (ERC) nominated Exmouth NCI as their charity of the year and we attended events at their clubhouse. Later in the year Exmouth NCI were delighted to receive a donation from ERC.

Also in May, Exmouth NCI assisted the Exe Sailing Club with safety for the International 14's sailing competition and in July for the International Enterprise dinghy championships.

On 7 June 1998 the Tower opened for use as a lookout station by Exmouth NCI for their role in support of the UK Search and Rescue organisation. 

In July Exmouth NCI had the annual Declared Facility Status (DFS) assessment which was completed to the satisfaction of the Assessor enabling Exmouth NCI to continue to play an important role in the UK Search and Rescue Service for a further year.

A Radio Day was held in August, together with members of the Exmouth Amateur Radio Club. There were about 50 visitors to Coastwatch House, not all to have a go on the radios, and 105 contacts were made with 19 countries, ranging from Europe to North Africa and Russia.

In early October a group of watchkeepers visited the National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham and were given a conducted tour and briefing on the role of the site.

Along with the rest of the country, twelve members of Exmouth NCI commemorated Remembrance Day at a parade in Exmouth. A wreath was laid by the Station Manager.

During the latter months of the year, Bryn, the skipper of the yacht 'Rebecca', embarked members of Exmouth NCI to take a look at the coastline from the sea instead of vice versa from the Tower, giving them a greater appreciation of life at sea in a yacht in differing weather conditions.

And finally, thank you to our sponsors and the local community for their support over the past year. It has been much appreciated by all at Exmouth NCI.