The Isle of Wight’s High Sheriff, Robin Courage MBE, visited the National Coastwatch Institution lookout at West Highdown yesterday (Tuesday), marking the NCI’s busiest year in maintaining a watch over the Solent.
Over the past year the NCI has been involved in over 25 incidents and logged over 8,500 vessel movements – excluding the 1,600 entrants in the annual Round The Island race. The 70 volunteer watchkeepers kept lookout for a total of 6,710 hours and kept the station open for 365 days in all weathers.
In one of his final acts as High Sheriff, Mr Courage presented Peter Dent with his Senior Watchkeepers epaulettes in recognition of his contribution to the success of The Needles NCI station.
The National Coastwatch Institution is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving life at sea and along the coast. Volunteers at The Needles scan the water for kayaks, jet-skis, dinghies, yachts and fishing boats in difficulties and report any problems to Solent Coastguard who go on to coordinate rescues. The team at The Needles also keep a friendly eye on the 300,000 walkers that visit the area each year.
