WHITSTABLE NCI YOUR EYES ALONG THE COAST Howard Farmer is one of a few volunteers who, in the background, keep our shores safer, and try to fill the gaps left when the lookouts were closed. Here he describes, in his own words, the role of the NCI and how you can help…TheWhitstable National Coastwatch Institution station was set up in the early 1990s, out of the ashes of the now defunct coastguard lookout stations that once peppered the shoreline around Britain. Since lookouts were closed and sold off it has been the NCI’s task to set up stations and man them without any funding from the government. Thus the volunteer organisation and Whitstable NCI itself came into being. Two stations currently watch over the area’s coastline, the first of which is based at Tankerton, Whitstable, and the other in Herne Bay.
and beyond. In direct radio communication with Thames Coastguard we work closely alongside the search and rescue teams and the RNLI, monitoring traffic in and out of the harbour and keeping watch over the local fishing fleet, as well as pleasure boats, windsurfers, kite gliders, etc. As the TCG is situated in Walton on the Naze, Essex, and therefore not visible to this side of the Thames, it is up to us to monitor all activity and report any potential problems before they become emergencies. Whitstable NCI also have an Emergency Response Team on call 24 hrs a day should the coastguard need fast local support . We are currently looking to raise £12,000 in order to move to larger, more capable premises. As the NCI is made up from volunteers and is a registered charity we rely on donations, sponsorship and the dedicated work of the watchmen to keep our station manned over the long weekends and bank holidays. We shall be at the next Tankerton slopes fair and will be promoting the importance of having “eyes along the coast”. We look forward to meeting you.
The NCI stations are manned solely by volunteers who have all undergone training in map reading, radio operation and marine navigation. We at Whitstable station are from a varied background and made up of men and woman of all ages. I have been a watchman now for two years, and it increases to become a vital service to all users of the sea around Whitstable. I’ve made many friends and it’s a great chance to get out and enjoy our scenery, as well as meet the public, in what is a very important role. Our aim is to ensure the safety of all traffic and people that use the water and coastline beaches from Sheppey to Long Rock, Swalecliffe, and out to the Wind-farm
We now have a social night every other month that started in May and will next be in July, at the Whitstable Angling Club, at 7.30 pm, so any member of the public who wishes to find out more about the important role we play in marine and coastal safety can come along, meet the team and hopefully will be encouraged to join us as a Watchman. For further details of how to become a member of the National Coastwatch Institution, to be a sponsor, or indeed to make a donation please contact the station secretary Mr John Sykes on 01227 282274 or Mr Howard Farmer on 01227 265043. We are also online under www. nci.org.uk The NCI is a registered charity :1045645 The National Coastwatch Institution... WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU! Howard M N Farmer, Snr Watchman