“Recordable Events” are defined as as those which involve NCI Watchkeepers in routinely monitoring a potentially hazardous situation which then resolves itself without the need for intervention by SAR assets.

15 Nov 20 MoP called Tower emergency mobile out of hours to report his kite had been lost out to sea. No identification available on equipment. On advice of NCI, MoP reported loss to Solent CG Operations Centre.

23 Nov Watchkeeper reported to CG smoke visible beyond Dawlish Warren as concerned at possibility of vessel on fire in estuary. Mooring Manager confirmed Dawlish Warren Golf Club burning scrub.

18 Dec Call from HMCG following report of windsurfer with broken mast off Orcombe Point. Reported no visual due to obstructed view and poor visibility. Confirmed other windsurfers in area. Continued to monitor.

2 Jan 21 Following observation of IFV taking avoiding action, telephoned HMCG to report large tree trunk in channel causing potential danger to shipping. HMCG issued Warning to Mariners.

16 Jan Contacted by HMCG for sighting of walkers stranded on mud in Exe Estuary. Confirmed out of range.

16 Jan Contacted by HMCG for sighting of kite surfer reportedly in difficulty off Pole Sands. Confirmed sighting of 3 kite surfers in no apparent difficulty.

27 Jan After failing to contact Harbour Master, advised HMCG of potential hazard to shipping in channel. Later managed to contact HM and update position of hazard.

29 Jan  HMCG broadcast general request for information following Mayday on Teignmouth aerial. Confirmed sighting of RIB in area.

12 Feb Kite without surfer passed Lookout Tower in wind. Surfer and board observed swimming safely towards beach. HMCG informed in case MoP called in.

13 Feb Call from kite surfer to advise separated from, and lost, board. Advised Solent CG and Harbour Master.

9 Mar Following report from MoP of lone paddleboarder heading SW from No 2 buoy, watchkeeper maintained observation until paddleboarder returned safely to beach near RNLI station.

16 Mar MoP called to report four flares found in garage at home. Took details and informed HMCG. Call from CG to advise matter referred to Police as flares found inland. MoP advised accordingly.

31 Mar MoP called to report two jet skiers behaving suspiciously at Orcombe Point. Description matched nearby Lifeguards who agreed to investigate. Informed HMCG who requested continued surveillance using Sideshore CCTV.

10 Apr MoP reported broken glass in area beneath walkway to West of Harbour View Cafe. Contacted Lifeguard but unable to clear and no reply from Beach Safety Officer. Contacted EDDC Streetscene. White van with flashing lights arrived to arrange clearance.

12 Apr Watchkeeper spotted mooring buoy adrift and floating past No 10 buoy on ebb tide. Full details reported to Harbour Master who will retrieve. Buoy not retrieved by end of watch.

22 Apr Watchkeeper reported to Edge sighting of paddleboard drifting 120 yards offshore. No visual on boarder. Edge launched recovery of what was a training board which had been left on the beach on a rising tide.

22 Apr Edge called to advise NCI that they were aware of and recovering kitesurfer adrift. Call received from Solent CG requesting update. Continued observation from Lookout Tower of RIB pickup. 

7 June Call received from RNLI Shop with report of person apparently in water off Pole Sands. Confirmed sighting of individual fishing from kayak. 

9 June Alerted Lifeguards to wing surfer apparently exhausted on Pole sands on incoming tide. Maintained observation until casualty recovered and reached safety. 

17 June Relayed to HMCG call from yacht owner reporting lost Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) on passage from Teignmouth. PLB subsequently located. 

28 June Watchkeeper observed one male with inflatable drifting with outgoing tide, no lifejacket. Contacted Lifeguards who guided casualty to shore. 

13 July Watchkeeper called on Ch 65 from yacht aground at No 3 buoy and waiting for tide. Advised HMCG. Yacht later refloated. HMCG informed. 

17 July Reported to HMCG 6 youths tombstoning off Mamhead Slipway. Youths later left. 

18 July Advised Lifeguards of small infant on inflatable. Lifeguards spoke to family. 

18 July Advised HMCG of two swimmers mid Channel at No 10 buoy. Later ashore on Pole Sands and advised CG accordingly. NFA required. 

25 July MoP telephoned watchkeeper to give details of lost child. Shortly after child was found. 

26 July CG relayed call from MoP re RIB aground on Pole Sands. NCI confirmed 4 POB and in no danger. Unsuccessful attempt to refloat. Later afloat and headed due west. Advused CG. 

30 July MoP phoned reporting dinghy adrift in estuary. Advised Harbour Master accordingly. Dinghy later retrieved.

4 Aug Watchkeepers observed group of paddleboarders heading across estuary to Pole sands on incoming tide. Advised Lifeguards of potential dangers. Monitoring to continue by incoming watch. All later retrieved to safety.

11 Aug Watchkeepers observed yacht with 2 POB drifting easterly on outgoing tide. Yacht beached on Pole Sands and refloated 3 hours later.

3 Sep Watchkeepers observed yacht Mojito grounded near No 3 buoy. IFV Shelley Marie advised HMCG and offered assistance. Yacht then refloated. IFV and yacht advised HMCG accordingly.

3 Sep MoP contacted NCI with concern about a seal off Dawlish. Watchkeepers advised British Divers Marine Life Rescue who stated they will contact MoP.

3 Sep Call on Ch65 from Rowing Club asking if NCI has a visual on overdue rowing boat. Rowing boat sighted by NCI. Advised Rowing Club on Ch65. Shortly after rowing boat arrived back to beach.

11 Sep Call to NCI from speedboat ‘Ocean Spirit’ on Ch65 to advise that emergency beacon had been tripped by accident. No emergency. ‘Ocean Spirit’ to return to Exmouth marina.

13 Sep Call from MoP concerned about safety of dog in flooding tidal estuary. NCI viewed dog on estuary camera. Dog seen safe with owner. MoP informed.

20 Sep Call from MoP with concern for boat adrift near Lympstone slipway. NCI informed Exeter Harbour Authority who will take follow up action.

30 Sep Concern for safety of yacht off Straight Point from MoP. NCI identified yacht on AIS and tracked progress. MoP informed yacht entered Exe channel safely. Yacht later entered Exmouth marina safely.

21 Oct Confirmed to Exeter Harbour Master sighting of 3m log drifting up river in shipping channel causing potential danger to water users.

30 Nov NCI visual on capsized inflatable. Webcam bearing 121 degrees. Reported to Harbour Master. Possible it had come adrift from speedboat recently logged and returned. Continued observation. Speedboat returned but did not locate inflatable and returned to marina. Inflatable drifting to Orcombe Point. Harbour Master informed who will retrieve. Inflatable bearing 108 degrees. MoP retrieved inflatable and brought it to pavement by Lifeboat Station. Harbour Master informed. 

7 Dec Call to NCI from MoP reporting 25ft vessel drifting around Lympstone area. No visual on CCTV. NCI contacted Harbourmaster who will try to make visual, but cannot launch due to weather conditions.

5 Jan 22 Watchkeeper observed No4 Buoy sitting on Pole Sands. Harbour Master called lookout to establish CCTV link. Sideshore CCTV used to locate grounded buoy. Harbour Master informed and used link to view CCTV. Location established. Event left wih Harbour master who will move buoy. Local NTM will be issued.

8 Feb NCI observed kite surfer capsized. Tangled rigging. Drifting East. No signs of distress. Call from MoP reporting same as above. NCI continued observation. Kite surfer safely beached adjacent to Lifeboat station. Call from Solent CG who had received call from MoP re-same event. NCI advised kite surfer on beach and safe. Event observed using CCTV.

23 Feb NCI contacted Harbour Master on landline to report visual sighting of metallic debris on Pole Sands. Size approx 1.5 metre by 1 metre. Bearing 228 degrees and 400 metres from NCI lookout. Harbour Master to inspect asap.

11 Mar NCI received call from MoP reporting a man struggling with a dinghy for an hour. NCI called MoP to advise they would monitor and take any necessary action. Falling tide. Engine later restarted, dinghy arrived safely on shore off Exe Sailing Club.

9 Apr NCI observed stationary yacht near No 3 buoy. Water taxi later called on Ch 65 – informed NCI they had taken yacht in tow due to overheating engine. Yacht returned safely to Exmouth Harbour by water taxi.

14 Apr MoP informed NCI that two lifebelts had been found on the beach at Dawlish Warren. Asked who to return them to. NCI advised to return them to Dawlish Warren or Teignmouth lifeguards. 

20 Apr Radio call from yacht 3 miles south of Fairway buoy, with 3 POB. Engine loss. Intending to sail into Exmouth Channel. NCI maintained watch of safe passage. NCI later received call from yacht as she safely paseed No 10 buoy. No assistance required.

6 May NCI observed mooring buoy adrift. Exmouth Harbour Master informed. Exmouth Harbour Master attempted to inform Exeter Harbour Master. “Jandy” agreed to recover buoy. Mooring buoy recovered and returned to Exmouth marina pontoon.

25 May Call from Life Guard asking if NCI had a visual on canoes in channel near No 8 buoy. Watchkeeper confirmed visual. One person in water being towed by canoe. Advised life guard. Observed all canoeists heading for beach. Self assistance with fellow canoeists to beach.

28 May Call from MoP reporting catamaran at anchor in swimming area by lifeboat station. NCI reported to Harbourmaster. Harbourmaster returned call and will send someone to investigate. Catamaran later left anchored position under own power.