Rick Purnell writes ….

Eyes along the coast…

Baz Carpenter, a former chairman of Bishopsteignton Probus Club happens to have an interesting retirement pastime as a volunteer with the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) operating from the ‘Look-out booth’ adjacent to the Teign Corinthian Yacht Club on the east seafront of Teignmouth beach. For many years the local council rented this property as a beach hut before being repurposed.  Baz shared his passion with Teignmouth Probus Club members who enjoyed an enlightening talk about the purpose and benefit of the NCI for the safety of all users of the bay within a 5 mile radius including look-out for riptides, swimmers and smugglers besides recording all sightings of any waterborne vessels including paddleboarders together with a record of the weather, wind speed, visibility, temperature and suchlike. The NCI compliments and works closely with the Coast Guard Service, Maritime Agency and RNLI.

The primary activity is looking out for and recording all passing vessels and advising the ‘authorities’ of any unusual or life threatening incidents. Indirectly, members were reminded of many ‘Be water Safe’ emergency actions by reference to the observations and signs and signals the NCI are looking for with people in or on the water close by. The use and call signs of the emergency radio service were also detailed as the emergency bands 61and 67 are also monitored by the watch volunteers.

The Teignmouth station has 65 volunteers who work a daylight watch in pairs, three times a month. The service is always looking for new volunteers who receive all the training needed including the use of modern aids and technologies.

For the UK NCI service, last year some 228,458 commercial and 424,843 leisure vessels were logged. These logs are also called for as evidence by the Coroner’s Office, Police authorities etc in the event of an incident.

The NCI’s good works rely entirely on charity donations and willing volunteers. If you are interested logon to www.nci.org.uk

After the opportunity to ask questions, acting Chairman, Dave Kirk gave the vote of thanks at 11:30 am before retiring to the bar for those who wanted to.