30 March 2009 Two more stations, NCI Worms Head and NCI Nells Point, have achieved Declared Facility Status (DFS) in South Wales. To achieve DFS, a station is subject to an all day assessment which includes a number of exercises designed to prove that it can demonstrate its competency in carrying out the core tasks of “Spotting, Plotting and Reporting” and thereby ensure that the highest standards of watchkeeping are maintained. It is then considered by HM Coastguard as an integral part of the Search and Rescue (SAR) organisation.

Assessment day at Worms Head saw two NCI DFS assessors waiting at the lookout to see the morning watch go through their opening routine, set up the station and report in to Swansea Coastguard. The watch consisted of one male and one female watchkeeper and also present were two liaison officers from MRCC Swansea. Each watchkeeper was interviewed by an assessor and this was followed by practical tests covering chart and map work. Log books, training records and the individual watchkeeper’s manual were also checked correct.

During the course of the watch, there was a simulated exercise based on preventing a stranded male from attempting to cross the flooded causeway to Worms Head Island and his eventual rescue by Horton Inshore Lifeboat. As the day drew to a close, the DFS assessors conferred with the Coastguard Liaison Officers as to their opinion on the Worms Head operation and received a very positive response.

At Nells Point, the assessment followed a similar format and was equally successful. The DFS team, while completing a thorough inspection of station log books, records and training manuals, gave plenty of useful advice and guidance on both watchkeeping and station management. Two officers from Swansea Coastguard, also present during the assessment, again proved very helpful and informative while taking part in a simulated exercise involving the rescue of a man overboard from a small craft two miles off Nells Point.

By the end of September 2009, some 75% of NCI stations are expected to have become listed assets in the SAR network.