16 September 2013  The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) is, for the first time, making a presence at the Southampton Boat Show. Our stand, J016 in the Mayflower Hall, is manned by volunteer watchkeepers from Calshot, Gosport, Lee on the Solent, Needles and Swanage. They are talking to visitors about the activities of NCI watchkeepers and the part they play in the UK Search and Rescue organisation, helping to save lives at sea and around the UK coastline.

Visitors to the stand can also enter a free competition prize draw for a £500 gift voucher sponsored by Force 4 Chandlery in association with NCI. The voucher can be spent at any Force 4 retail outlet and the winner will be announced at 3.00pm on Sunday 22 September.

As NCI approaches its 20th Anniversary in 2014, fifty stations are now operational in England and Wales with more in the pipeline. When it comes to sea safety, there is no substitute for sharp eyes that can spot a flare from a dismasted yacht, a fishing boat with engine failure, a capsized dinghy, a child swept out to sea on an airbed, a swimmer floundering out of their depth or a fisherman on rocks who has failed to spot the advancing tide about to cut him off.

All these and many more are solid reasons why NCI will continue to expand its ability to assist in the protection and preservation of life at sea and along the OK coastline.

Come and talk to us on Stand J016 in the Mayflower Hall and try your hand at our easy to enter competition.

Pictured are some of the volunteers who have manned the stand so far.