National Coastwatch Institution (NCI), based at Fleetwood, recently received an important donation from Fleetwood and Cleveleys Lions.
Following a presentation to the Fleetwood based charity organisation, NCI were donated an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The Lion’s local President, Mary Ann Woodman and Paul Keirby, the Lion’s Welfare Chairman, visited the NCI station at Fleetwood, to hand over the gift.
The UPS ensures that vital electrical equipment doesn’t ‘crash’, in the event of a power outage or surge. This would become especially important, if the break in electricity supply came in the middle of an incident. Vital equipment, like VHF radios, weather station and radar, would continue to function.
Steve Martin, the NCI Station Manager at Fleetwood said ‘’ Receiving this type of support from the local community means a lot to the members of the team. This piece of equipment, ensures we’ll be able to give continued coverage when required. We can’t thank the Fleetwood and Cleveleys Lions enough for their very generous donation’’.

Mike Byrne, one of Fleetwood’s watchkeepers, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Coastwatch Institution at their AGM in London in April. This is a great honour for Mike personally, and all of the volunteers at Fleetwood take pleasure in knowing that his appointment will serve to raise awareness nationally of our position as the only station in the north west of England. Mike, a regular sea-farer and day-fisher, said “I am always conscious of the power of the seas, and it is very comforting to know that the Search and Rescue teams have your back in case you run into difficulties.” Of his appointment to the Board of Trustees, Mike said ” I am very honoured to be part of a team that looks out for people and shipping in our area, and I am also looking forward to helping develop and grow NCI nationally.”

7th March 2016. Last Thursday evening, British Marine presented their annual awards for excellence at a black tie dinner at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. At the dinner, the new award of Charity Of The Year was presented to the first ever winners, the National Coastwatch Institution. Presenting the award, Fiona Pankhurst, President of British Marine, was highly complementary about the work of NCI and the service we provide around the coast. Trustee Richard Hews accepted the award on behalf of the Charity.
A spokesperson for British Marine confirmed that the judges made their decision to award NCI Charity of the Year based on how the charity has made a big impact on a low budget, with no paid for employees and, whilst it is like many others, it has a huge reliance on volunteers. The charity is at the heart of the industry, protecting the whole country with its commendable safety programme. It was also noted by the judges how all volunteers will be given full training this year in the use of VHF radio.

NCI is a member of British Marine which is the organisation leading the UK leisure, super yacht and small commercial marine industry. One of their subsidiaries is National Boat Shows, organisers of the London and Southampton Boat Shows.

The photograph shows Richard Hews receiving the award from Fiona Pankhurst (Photograph courtesy of British Marine)

Tuesday March 15th
We were visited today by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mrs Amanda Parker, J.P. – accompanied by her consort. They stayed with us for over an hour, taking a very keen (and obviously genuine) interest in all that we do. They were met by Steve Scholes, Deputy Station Manager, and a number of watchkeepers. The timing was fortuitous in that 2 of the Nautical College students were also present as part of the work experience they are undertaking at the tower. Mrs Parker took time to speak with all of the watchkeepers and the students, and was clearly engaged by everything that she saw and heard about our work at Fleetwood.The High Sheriff left this comment in the visitor book.
“Wonderful work and voluntary commitment. Thank you'”

Thursday 3rd March
A number of our watchkeepers visited Knott end coastguard where they met With a member of the coastguard team (Phil) everyone enjoyed the afternoon being shown around the station and the equipment in use.
A big thanks to all at Knott end from all at NCI Fleetwood.