The volunteer Watchkeepers from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) at Rossall Point, Fleetwood, received the news they’ve been waiting for this week. They will recommence their watchkeeping duties at Rossall Point Observation Tower from Saturday 11^th July.

Coastwatch operations were stopped on the 18^th March, as the coronavirus crisis was beginning to get a grip across the nation. Since then, the tower has remained closed. The Coastwatch volunteers were able to keep in touch with one another, for news updates and to check on each other’s health, through social media. This resilience has ensured they remain at full strength.

Since the end of June, the National Coastwatch Trustees have been putting together a Covid-19 protocol, to enable their 56 watchkeeping stations to reopen. Besides the obvious emphasis on hygiene, they have also put in place a ‘buddy’ system, to allow solo watches, ensuring Watchkeepers are safe throughout the three-hour shift.

Station Manager, Martyn Cripps said ‘This is excellent news. Our priority is always the Watchkeepers safety, but this is great news for both locals and visitors to Fleetwood beaches.

There have been several incidents on Fleetwood beach over the past few months, including both lifeboats from RNLI Fleetwood being called out to nine people, cut off by the incoming tide.

Tony Cowell, Coxswain at RNLI Fleetwood said ‘We welcome our friends from Coastwatch back at the observation tower. They are an asset to the town and help keep an eye on our beaches and the smaller leisure boats that sail out from Fleetwood and Knott End’.

Our NCI Fleetwood station resumed limited lookout operations in July of this year.

National policy for the NCI mandates that we conduct single-manned watches to respect the government restrictions currently in place.  In order to comply with this policy we have implemented a reduced watch period of 3 hours for the watchkeepers.  Accordingly our current manning is from 1100 to 1700 each day split into 2 x 3hour watch periods.

Since returning to duty we have been involved in 5 incidents all of which had the potential to become very serious for the individuals concerned.

For the boating community, please remember we are available on Marine Channel 65 for radio checks and actual weather reports from our station weather equipment.

The newly appointed High Sherrif of Lancashire, the Honourable Ralph Asheton, kindly agreed to present the long service awards to our eligible members this year.

Members receiving the 5 year award were:
Ann Davies, David Croall, Stuart MacGregor, Nicola Allatt and Charles Hill.  Well done to all.

Of note this year, John Lagette completes 10 years Service and has decided to hang up his binoculars.  In his 10 years John has always been keen to help in many areas not least of which was his tenure as the Training Officer.  We wish him well for the future and he is always welcome to visit at any time should he wish to do so.

A small motor launch with 2 persons on board sank suddenly on Sunday 11th Novemeber at approximately 1240.  The vessel position was 241degrees Fleetwood Tower Range 2.3 nm.

A nearby vessel the ‘Pisces’ spotted this and reported to HMCG Holyhead; Fleetwood confirmed this by telephone to HMCG. Pisces very quickly reached the 2 people and got them on board.  The 2 people were subsequently transferred to the Fleetwood Lifeboat for return to shore.

The Pisces crew and one of the rescued persons later visited the tower to thank all concerned.