About National Coastwatch Institution NCI Calshot Tower (QAVS) & NCI Stone Point
National Coastwatch is a registered charity staffed and managed by volunteers whose mission is to help save lives at sea and around the UK coastline. If you, a family member or friend uses the coastal waters or the shoreline – maybe canoeing, fishing, boating or even walking on our beautiful but sometimes treacherous coastline – we are watching and keeping you safe.
National Coastwatch is a critical part of UK Search and Rescue. We work alongside His Majesty’s Coastguard, the RNLI, other Independent Lifeboats and the ‘blue-light’ emergency services to assist in the protection and saving of life at sea and along the coastline of England and Wales.
There are two National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) stations based in the New Forest:
- NCI Calshot Tower (QAVS) on Calshot Spit
- NCI Stone Point in Lepe Country Park
Eyes Along The Coast Contact us on VHF Ch65
Volunteer opportunities with National Coastwatch Institution NCI Calshot Tower (QAVS) & NCI Stone Point
National Coastwatch (NCI) watchkeepers provide eyes and ears along the coast, keeping watch and monitoring radio channels to provide a listening watch.
When people find themselves in trouble, we are here to alert HM Coastguard and help direct the appropriate emergency and rescue services to the casualty. While technology undoubtedly helps, it cannot SPOT a drifting kayak, a paddleboarder too exhausted to make it back to shore or a child on an inflatable toy drifting out to sea.
Training is carried out by experienced watchkeepers both in the station and training sessions. An assessment is carried out when you’re ready, to check that all necessary competencies have been acheived and you feel confident.
Being a National Coastwatch volunteer watchkeeper enables you to give back to your community, help protect local residents and visitors; gives you new skills, friends, a sense of pride in yourself, your colleagues and a great sense of satisfaction should you be involved in an incident.
