On the 16th April NCI Fleetwood was visited by the NCI Patron, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

On arrival, Her Royal Highness visited our station and its Operations room.  She took great interest in our area and the stations ability to maintain a good lookout to assist the SAR organisations in conducting rescue operations.

After the station visit, Her Royal Highness honoured our organisation here in Fleetwood by agreeing to present long service awards to four of our volunteers in the Marine Hall.  The award ceremony was attended by many of our members along with dignitaries from the local area and the HIgh Sheriff of Lancashire.

On completion of the awards a plaque to commemorate the visit was unveiled by Her Royal Highness.

Our thanks go to Her Royal Highness for making the day so memorable.  She went to great lengths to ensure she spoke to everyone on the day which made it so enjoyable for all who attended.

Here are photographs from the event:

The Royal Standard flys at the tower for the visit of HRH Princess Anne

HRH meets the Watch on duty

The Awardees and the Unveiling of the Plaque shown below

Our Station was visited in 2023 to make a video for the local community and visitors to the area.

16^th September, 2020

A volunteer Watchkeeper from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) at Rossall Point, Fleetwood, was involved in an incident today, Wednesday (16th September) involving HM Coastguard and Fleetwood RNLI.

A small inflatable rib, with two adults onboard, was seen in difficulty and drifting out on the tide. Brian Johnson, a volunteer with NCI for the past five years and on watch at the time, was soon in contact with HM Coastguard at Holyhead, informing them of the possible incident.

Fleetwood RNLI launched both lifeboats and were directed to the casualties by Brian. Fleetwood RNLI in-shore lifeboat collected both casualties and transferred them to the all-weather lifeboat, before towing the small inflatable back to the shore, where they were met by the Coastguard.

Neither casualties required medical assistance.

Tony Cowell, Coxswain for Fleetwood RNLI said ‘Our friends at Coastwatch were of great assistance today. Not only did they spot the small boat in difficulties, but helped direct us to the scene, quickly. The situation could have ended very differently without their help.’

Channel swim donation for Coastwatchers

When National Coastwatch Fleetwood volunteer Watchkeepers at Rossall Tower were asked to keep a safety check on a local swimmer, whilst training off the beach at Fleetwood, they had little idea the training was for an attempt to swim the English Channel

Emma Truscott, a member of Fleetwood Swimming Club, decided to attempt the 22-mile-long distance swim over three years ago. Training started in earnest and because of Coronavirus restrictions, it was almost cancelled. But in the last minute, she got the green light to attempt the swim.

In a fantastic show of gratitude to the Watchkeepers who looked after her during her training, she decided to raise funds for National Coastwatch Fleetwood, based at Rossall Tower.

Emma’s swim lasted around 10 hours and unfortunately, several miles from France, she had to concede defeat, because of the detrimental effects of salt in her mouth.

Nevertheless, she presented a cheque for £260.91 to Brian Johnson, a volunteer Watchkeeper with National Coastwatch Fleetwood.

Brian Johnson, from NCI Fleetwood said ‘I was watching Emma training one day and realised she was being followed by our local seal ! I decided not to inform her though, in case it scared her. Emma’s a brave lass for even attempting the swim and we are really appreciative of her fundraising on our behalf.’