Stay safe along the coast

Coastal safety is set for an extra boost this summer with the official launch of ‘Stay Safe Along The Coast’ from National Coastwatch. Helped by funding from Trinity House, watchkeepers from 30 National Coastwatch stations have been trained to offer coastal safety information to members of the public.

The National Coastwatch Institution is a voluntary organisation and registered charity providing a visual watch along the UK’s coasts and works closely with RNLI and HM Coastguard.

The charity’s volunteer watchkeepers will be on duty at or near their station at busy times to offer information to help people enjoy their time at the coast safely and avoid accidents. 

They will provide information on local conditions and hazards and will offer practical safety support. This includes wrist bands for children to carry their guardian’s contact details so they can be quickly reunited, waterproof phone pouches and stickers for owner’s contact details for paddleboards and personal watercraft.

From now on, in addition to the 30 stations in phase one, all 59 National Coastwatch stations will support the safety messaging. This will include displaying and sharing information, sharing safety information on social media and getting out and about at the coast to engage with visitors and community groups.  

Stephen Hand, National Coastwatch Chair said,  “We are indebted to Trinity House for its generous funding which has helped to get this important initiative off the ground.” He also thanked Coastwatch volunteers, “For their time, work and great enthusiasm in making National Coastwatch Coastal and Water Safety happen.”