National Coastwatch is a 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 a friend uses the coastal waters or the shoreline – maybe kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, boating or even walking on our beautiful but sometimes treacherous coastline – we are watching and keeping you safe.
National Coastwatch is a key part of UK Search and Rescue. We work alongside HM 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.
From the 01/01/25 to the 31/10/25, the National Coastwatch have initiated or supported 862 incidents across our 60 active stations, an increase of 117 or 16% on the same time last year.
Through our diligence and support so far this year, we have initiated or assisted in the rescue of 284 persons and assisted 547 others. That’s a total of 831 people who have benefited from our help and vigilance, with 353 incidents requiring the launching of a lifeboat.
The “Top Five” incidents to date involved issues with 1. Yachts. 2. Tidal Cut-Offs. 3. Paddle Boarders. 4. Vulnerable Persons. 5. Missing Persons.
The NCI, as a charity, has also been running a Water Safety campaign over the last two years, which includes visits to local beaches, seaside events, etc. and giving safety advice.
Back in July 2024 the NCI Board of Trustees agreed that an award, “Certificate of Merit” should be made to Watchkeepers wh,o through their actions, helped to not just rescue but to save a life or lives. Since its creation in July 2024 four awards have been made to 8 NCI Watchkeepers.
In the specific area of South Coast Needles, which includes the New Forest NCI Stations based at Calshot Tower QAVS (Calshot Spit) & Stone Point (Lepe Country Park);
Persons Assisted = 122
Persons Rescued Total = 44
A total of 166!
Want to know more and volunteer? Contact your local stations;
