Incident Summaries

To return to the main NCI website, please use the back arrow at the top of your screen.

The Total Number of Incidents since we started recording them can be found by selecting '-Year' from the Year filter : 8556
Alternatively select a specific year to see how many Incidents were reported for that Year.

During 2020 all NCI stations closed for two months at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. On re-opening most stations were single-crewed for the rest of the year.


Please note: NCI Canvey Island was previously know as NCI Holehaven and moved location on Monday 18 October 2021. All NCI Canvey Island Incident Summaries before that date will be in respect of NCI Holehaven at its previous location.

Glossary of Terms
FAWGI = False Alarm With Good Intent, MoP = Member of the Public, NFA = No Further Action, HMCG, CG or MCA = Coastguard, MisPer = Missing Person
CRT = Coastguard Rescue Team, CGOC = Coast Guard Operations Centre, ILB/ALB/LB = Lifeboats, MV = Motor Vessel, MB = Motor Boat,
ML = Motor Launch, FV = Fishing Vessel, PB = Power Boat, PWC = Personal Water Craft ("Jet Ski"), RIB = Rigid Inflatable Boat,
VLCC = Very Large Crude Carrier, UKBF = UK Border Force
Incident No. Date of Incident Station Name Incident Summary Initiated by Lifeboat involved MCA MCA No.
52055 30/12/2024 NCI Gosport NCI observed a yacht having difficulty against the tide. Vessel called HMCG, but did not issue May Day or Pan Pan. NCI informed CG they had visual. Motor vessel offered assistance, and set up a tow. , NCI kept CG informed of progress until casualty reached mooring in marina. MCA/HMCG No Yes 549050
52050 29/12/2024 NCI Wells-next-the-Sea NCI were informed of a dog cut off by tide, owner unable to catch it. HMCG informed, ILB tasked as they were in boathouse. When ILB reached casualties, dog was not breathing, CPR was performed, and , Owner and dog were taken to boathouse. Both recovered when warmed up. NCI Yes Yes 548956
52047 28/12/2024 NCI Stone Point Pan Pan issued re. small cabin boat with engine failure. NCI informed CG they had visual, casualty had deployed anchor. Solent Rescue responded, and was conned onto casualty by NCI. , Casualty was towed to harbour, CG informed. MCA/HMCG No Yes 548816
52049 28/12/2024 NCI Wells-next-the-Sea MOP called NCI re. person cut off by tide. HMCG informed.ILB tasked, and recovered casualty to safety. No injuries. NCI Yes Yes 548845
52034 27/12/2024 NCI Hengistbury Head NCI observed a paddle boarder in difficulty, trying to attract attention of fishing vessel. HMCG informed, and while on phone, F.V. went to assist casualty. Crew assisted casualty, with possible foil , problem, and then casualty was observed to return to shore. All safe and CG informed. NCI No Yes 548728
52030 24/12/2024 NCI Teignmouth HMCG called NCI asking if they had seen a fishing vessel which had not returned to harbour. Vessel was identified making its way to harbour, CG informed. MCA/HMCG No Yes n/a
52036 24/12/2024 NCI Lyme Bay HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of a despondent person walking up and down beach. Casualty not visible from lookout, so W/K walked to beach. CRT tasked also. Extensive search by CRT and NCI, revealed nothing so assets stood down. MCA/HMCG No Yes 548461
52024 22/12/2024 NCI Porthcawl HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of adult in water in high seas. Visual scan requested, camera linked to CG. ILB, AWLB, CRT and HELO tasked. Search continued and HELO lowered crewman to rocks., Casualty lifted by HELO to meet ambulance. Sadly casualty was pronounced deceased. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 548262
52021 21/12/2024 NCI Hengistbury Head MOP reported to HMCG that a foil board was adrift, no sign of user. CG called NCI, who had visual. Boarder and equipment separately reached the shore, CG informed MCA/HMCG No Yes 548179
52011 20/12/2024 NCI Mablethorpe HMCG team called at lookout re. incident involving a kayak. NCI found kayak on beach on camera recordings. CG informed. Assets stood down, no person present at kayak. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 548083
52020 20/12/2024 NCI Hengistbury Head HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of windsurfer/paddle boarder in trouble. ILB and CRT tasked, search initiated. Casualty was then found on beach, assets stood down. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 548105
52026 20/12/2024 NCI Froward Point HMCG initiated a search for a reported missing person from a yacht moored in harbour. DSC alert issued. Casualty thought to have gone overboard. ILB tasked, NCI carried out visual search. AWLB, , HELO and CRT also tasked. NCI advised on tidal flow in river. Search continued after dark and closure of NCI lookout, nothing found. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes POL283
52014 19/12/2024 NCI Porthdinllaen HMCG issued a MayDay re. swimmer being washed out to sea. NCI initialled a search, AWLB, HELO tasked. NCI located casualty and gave CG position. HELO recovered casualty and transferred her to , CRT at beach. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 548031
52016 19/12/2024 NCI Lyme Bay MOP reported to NCI a large metal stake sticking out of the sand, while paddling.They had tried to remove it as it was a danger to swimmers. Photo taken at low tide and HMCG informed. Suggestion , to inform local council. NCI No Yes 548032
52005 18/12/2024 NCI Porthcawl HMCG asked NCI to assist in search for missing person, CRT, ILB, Police and HELO tasked. Camera search initiated. but visibility poor. Potential casualty seen, but not person of interest. , A body was then located by a MOP on beach, which was confirmed to match the description of the MISPER. Casualty was confirmed deceased. Assets stood down. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 547918
51991 16/12/2024 NCI Rame Head HMCG issued a MayDay relay concerning a missing diver, position given. NCI initiated a visual search and spotted diver, approximately 1 mile from dive RIB. CG informed of position, ILB and HELO tasked, Research vessel recovered casualty, and transferred him to ILB to be taken to safety. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 547714
51996 16/12/2024 NCI Southend MOP informed NCI Police were dealing with a person wading into the water fully clothed. NCI informed HMCG, who were aware. CRT tasked, and discovered the person was wading out to his boat to, undertake repairs. All was well. Assets stood down MCA/HMCG No Yes 547736
51978 15/12/2024 NCI Porthcawl HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of a wind surfer in trouble, visual and camera search initiated. Casualty observed, and was paddling to shore and safety. CG informed. NFA MCA/HMCG No Yes 547617
51975 14/12/2024 NCI Canvey Island HMCG called NCI re. report from MOP of paddle boarder in trouble. Visual and CCTV search initiated. Casualty observed, and monitored until reached shore safely. CG informed. MCA/HMCG No Yes 547542
51982 13/12/2024 NCI Swanage Police arrived at lookout looking for a vulnerable male, and requested NCI keep a look out, and if sighted, call 999. casualty was then located and taken to a safe place Police No No n/a
51964 12/12/2024 NCI Portland Bill NCI contacted HMCG re. concern for crewman on fishing vessel. CG contacted vessel, and ascertained all was well. NCI No Yes n/a
51957 11/12/2024 NCI Fleetwood NCI observed a MOP on sands in danger of being cut off by tide. HMCG informed, casualty monitored by NCI and CG. Argo tasked, casualty did walk to shore and was met by CRT. NCI Yes Yes 547246
51926 08/12/2024 NCI Penzance HMCG called NCI requesting search for a high risk missing person on coast path. Nothing seen and search ongoing when lookout closed. CRT, ILB, AWLB and HELO involved. Police Yes Yes 546894
51917 07/12/2024 NCI Mablethorpe Police asked NCI to search with a camera for a person, distressed and in water. Nothing seen, NCI asked to monitor. MISPER was later found by Police and taken into custody Police No No POL967
51929 07/12/2024 NCI Exmouth HMCG reported a small boat adrift in estuary. NCI confirmed visual, no POB. ILB tasked to recover vessel and towed it to marina. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 546750
51914 06/12/2024 NCI Porthcawl HMCG contacted NCI re. report of despondent MOP walking into the sea fully clothed, Visual and camera search requested. Nothing seen, CRT and ILB tasked. CG reported casualty out of water, but unstable. Initial contact with informant lost. Nothing found, possible hoax. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 546468
51916 06/12/2024 NCI Folkestone NCI informed HMCG of two plastic containers floating in sea. Photo supplied. CRT tasked to investigate. CRT thought they may be fishing pot markers, but UKBF to be informed. NFA NCI No Yes 546642
51940 06/12/2024 NCI Porthcawl NCI observed a kite surfer, and were contacted by HMCG as they had received a call from a MOP re. same kite surfer. NCI created a camera link, and confirmed he was experienced and not in danger. MCA/HMCG No Yes 545575
51872 30/11/2024 NCI Swanage HMCG received a distress alert from a kayaker. AWLB tasked, NCI asked for visual, but negative due to poor visibility. LB recovered casualty, and was met ashore by CRT and ambulance. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 546024
51876 30/11/2024 NCI Gosport Sailing vessel issued Pan Pan, dragging anchor, assistance required. NCI had been monitoring vessel due to erratic behaviour. Local RIB offered assistance, and took casualty under tow. CG and Harbour, Master informed. MCA/HMCG No Yes 546040
51880 30/11/2024 NCI Mundesley MOP reported to HMCG and police suspected unexploded ordnance on beach, photo supplied. CRT tasked, and met with NCI watch keeper. Object believed to be a hand grenade. Lookout closed at end , of day, site secured, and Bomb Disposal team expected next day. Following morning, object was detonated by R.E. Bomb Disposal. Beach reopened. MCA/HMCG No Yes 546052
51864 29/11/2024 NCI Torbay HMCG called NCI re. call from MOP of windsurfer in difficulty. NCI used camera and they appeared fine. Second person expressed concern due to conditions. Windsurfer then was lost to sight, , CG informed. MCA/HMCG No Yes 545917
51865 29/11/2024 NCI Southend NCI received an undesignated DSC alarm, position reported to HMCG, further detail supplied. Local boatmen asked to check equipment, nothing found. CRT arrived to check position. False Alarm. NCI No Yes 545907
51871 29/11/2024 NCI Porthcawl NCI observed a kite surfer in difficulty. HMCG informed, camera link established. Second kite surfer went to assist, and managed to rescue casualty, NCI and CG monitored rescue. NCI No Yes 545919
51857 28/11/2024 NCI St Donat's Bay Pan Pan from fishing vessel with fouled prop. Vessel anchored, 2 POB, safety equipment on board. AWLB tasked, second vessel offered help. LB took casualty under tow to port. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes n/a
51858 28/11/2024 NCI Hengistbury Head HMCG called NCI re. unattributed EPIRB signal, visual search requested. Nothing seen, ILB, CRT, and HELO tasked to search. Search continued until after lookout closed, and still nothing found. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes 545807
51844 26/11/2024 NCI Wells-next-the-Sea MOP called NCI re. 2 persons and a dog cut off by tide. HMCG informed and tasked ILB. Casualties recovered by LB and returned to shore. All safe. NCI Yes Yes 545602
51852 25/11/2024 NCI Felixstowe CRT called NCI re a floating object in the water. Nothing seen by NCI. CRT stood down soon afterwards. MCA/HMCG No Yes 545511
51834 24/11/2024 NCI Lee-on-the-Solent NCI were called by HMCG re. vulnerable MOP walking out to sea fully dressed. Nothing seen on camera scan, so beach patrol initiated. CRT and Police took over search, and casualty was later , found safe at home. MCA/HMCG No Yes 545411
51825 22/11/2024 NCI Swanage NCI observed a MOP near cliff, looking at view. Then 2 PCSOs arrived to talk to her, and took her to a safe place. NCI offered help, but was refused, so suggested HMCG should be contacted. Before , CG could be informed, PCSOs left area, so CG were not informed, but later became aware of incident. Casualty left area with Police. Police No Yes 545187

© National Coastwatch Institution 2012-2025
Registered Charity No. 1159975