The National Coastguard Watch, known as the NCI, is manned by a team of fully trained and dedicated volunteers. They are trained to deal with emergencies offering a variety of skills and experience, and full training by the NCI ensures that high standards are met.
There are fifty-six stations operational and manned by 2600 volunteers keeping watch around the British Isles from Fleetwood in the North West, through to Wales, to the South and East of England to Horsea, in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the North East.
Overlooking the sea, they are the eyes and ears of our shorelines monitoring radio channels and provide a listening watch in poor visibility. When people get into trouble, they are there to alert HM Coastguard and direct the appropriate rescue services to the casualty.
This includes the kayakers, boats, and jet skis which many holidaymakers make use of while visiting our beaches. They are also there for walkers who get into trouble, many passing by the station and calling in to see what they do. Visitors are always welcome unless there is an incident on and the Watch Manager may ask them to call back.
On Anglesey, off the North Wales coast, there are two such stations. NCI Rhoscolyn and NCI Point Lynas, both overlooking the Irish sea.
MP for Anglesey Virginia Crosbie visited the Rhoscolyn site iand wrote about it on her blog.
Karen J. Mossman 