Incident Summaries

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The Total Number of Incidents since we started recording them can be found by selecting '-Year' from the Year filter : 9992
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
50404 14/07/2024 NCI Southend HMCG asked NCI for visual on group potentially cut off by tide. NCI reported no sign of group returning to shore, watch maintained. NCI then reported they had left the area and were out of sight., Later it was confirmed they had returned to shore. Assets stood down. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50407 14/07/2024 NCI Canvey Island HMCG asked NCI for visual of an inflatable kayak, 2 POB reported overdue. Nothing seen, Pan Pan issued. CRT and Hovercraft involved. Persons then located ashore. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50396 14/07/2024 NCI Porthcawl NCI observed 2 Paddle Boarders giving cause for concern. HMCG informed, casualties lost to view. ILB was launching on exercise, and was asked by CG to check on casualties. ILB reported they, were fine, and heading for a different bay. NFA NCI Yes Yes
50397 13/07/2024 NCI Mablethorpe Yacht reported to HMCG it was taking on water. NCI offered assistance as a relay. Pan Pan then issued, followed by MayDay. Several vessels, ILB, and HELO attended, although not tasked by CG. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50395 13/07/2024 NCI Polruan Motor Cruiser called NCI on Ch65 to report engine failure. W/K advised they would call HMCG, with details. Pan Pan issued, and FV offered a tow. NCI had visual, and Harbour Patrol took over tow., Pan Pan cancelled and casualty was returned safely to mooring. NCI No Yes
50376 11/07/2024 NCI Hengistbury Head Fishing vessel called on Ch16 reporting engine failure and requested tow, 2 POB. NCI advised HMCG they had visual. Anchor then dropped. Pan Pan issued, vessel responded but no reply. , A catamaran then undertook tow to safety of harbour. MCA/HMCG No Yes
50387 11/07/2024 NCI Shoreham NCI observed 2 kayaks in harbour. One occupant fell into water and was unable to get back on. harbour was contacted, as there was a fishing vessel approaching, but casualties refused help. HMCG , informed, and prepared to task LB, but casualties managed to self recover. All safe. NCI Yes Yes
50388 11/07/2024 NCI Gosport HMCG called NCI re. 999 call from small FV with failed engine and taking on water. Visual requested, NCI gave accurate position. MayDay relay issued. HM contacted NCI, and details provided. Harbour, Police vessel sent to assist. Local ferry also attended, and eventually casualty taken under tow by ILB. MayDay cancelled. Vessel returned to marina. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50368 10/07/2024 NCI Hengistbury Head NCI had a MOB alert from close to lookout. Search was negative. HMCG informed, 'all ships' alert issued, ILB tasked, CRT joined search but nothing found. Incident closed. NCI Yes Yes
50371 10/07/2024 NCI St Alban's Head Student was reported missing to NCI. Initial search, followed by call to school and HMCG. CRTs tasked, Police informed. Casualty later found safe and well. NCI No Yes
50377 10/07/2024 NCI Shoreham HMCG asked NCI to scan area after call from MOP re. kite surfer in difficulty. NCI reported casualty ashore without board. Board not found after further search. MCA/HMCG No Yes
50349 08/07/2024 NCI Torbay HMCG asked NCI for visual on a yacht which had reported unsure of position. NCI maintained a watch for vessel during shift but not seen. MCA/HMCG No Yes
50350 07/07/2024 NCI Porthcawl HMCG called NCI re. report of 3 MOP possibly cut off by tide. Camera and visual search carried out. ILB and CRT tasked, 3 MOP then seen on cliff top, ILB reported no persons trapped., It appeared that they were climbers, and not in difficulty. Assets stood down. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50315 06/07/2024 NCI Torbay One adult and one child were adrift in offshore wind in inflatable. NCI had visual, and conned AWLB to casualties. Casualties recovered to beach and were met by CRT. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50316 06/07/2024 NCI Torbay HMCG called NCI re. report of 2 MOP on SUP in distress. NCI advised CG they had visual. NCI liaised with AWLB, which recovered casualties - all well. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50339 06/07/2024 NCI Porthcawl NCI observed a surfer, in adverse conditions, being pushed towards rocks. HMCG informed, and attempted to link camera, but unsuccessful. Casualty then on rocks, looking exhausted, CG informed. , Casualty then walked to car park, CG updated. NCI No Yes
50308 04/07/2024 NCI Newhaven NCI observed a sailing vessel at anchor, which went broadside and shipped water. 1 POB with no lifejacket. HMCG advised of concern, but could not contact vessel. CRT tasked, vessel in danger., Person on board attempted to retrieve anchor, AWLB and HELO tasked, vessel drifted towards rocks. and casualty evacuated by HELO winch, believed broken leg, and met ambulance. Vessel confirmed wrecked, on rocks. Casualty taken to hospital by ambulance. NCI Yes Yes
50298 03/07/2024 NCI Teignmouth NCI observed a dinghy in harbour,2 POB, drifting and unable to start engine. NCI contacted LGs who deployed jetski, and attended casualty. Engine was started, HMCG informed, and ILB tasked. , ILB towed casualty back to harbour. NCI Yes Yes
50333 02/07/2024 NCI Stone Point NCI observed a yacht flying French flag run aground at river mouth. Seastart were on scene, and advised NCI they had set an anchor and removed one occupant. 4 remained on board to await tide. , HMCG advised of situation. NCI monitored situation, and HM advised they had returned crew member to vessel, and it would await tide. No damage visible. NCI No Yes
50277 02/07/2024 NCI Nells Point NCI observed 2 MOP in an inflatable kayak, towing a SUP, going with the tide. When they tried to return, NCI expressed concern and rang HMCG, and were asked to monitor. Eventually they were , lost from view, presumed heading ashore, CG informed, NFA NCI No Yes
50278 02/07/2024 NCI Portland Bill Vessel contacted NCI with engine failure and declared Pan Pan, which was relayed to HMCG. AWLB tasked, conned onto vessel by NCI, and towed it to harbour and safety. NCI Yes Yes
50270 02/07/2024 NCI Gorleston NCI observed a MOP threatening to jump from pier. CRT and Police persuaded casualty to return to safe side of fence, and was escorted away by Police. NCI No Yes
50282 02/07/2024 NCI Bass Point Yacht called HMCG re. failed sail drive, no immediate problem. NCI had visual, CG informed - no action required. Vessel made steady progress until watch closed. MCA/HMCG No Yes
50252 01/07/2024 NCI Cromer NCI observed 2 children cut off by tide. W/K waded in and carried one child back to safety, other W/K assisted parent and other child scrambled back safely. NCI No No
50264 01/07/2024 NCI Porthcawl MOP informed NCI there was a dead dolphin in bay. Informant asked for photo and exact location. This was passed to HMCG. CRT tasked, and usual procedures initiated. NCI No Yes
50248 30/06/2024 NCI Portscatho NCI observed a dinghy, 2 POB, with engine trouble. HMCG informed. CG issued a call for any vessel to help and a yacht answered and towed casualty back to safety. NCI No Yes
50256 30/06/2024 NCI Shoreham NCI observed a kite surfer in difficulty. HMCG informed, but NCI lost visual due to weather. ILB tasked, and was conned to casualty, which turned out to be a free diver with large fins, and was fine. NCI Yes Yes
50262 30/06/2024 NCI Porthcawl NCI observed an open water swimmer making slow progress. Local LGs also expressed concern and asked NCI for visual. Jetski then appeared next to swimmer. HMCG then called and were linked, in to CCTV. Casualty then was seen ashore and safe with LGs. NCI No Yes
50230 29/06/2024 NCI Stone Point NCI Stone Point observed ML which had been anchored, drifting with the tide - no persons on deck. Called HMCG who tried to radio vessel. 3 persons appeared on deck and lifted anchor and motored off NCI No Yes
50244 29/06/2024 NCI Mablethorpe LGs reported a missing child. NCI offered help to search. CRT were on the way. Then came a report the missing child had been found, and reunited with parents RNLI No Yes
50230 29/06/2024 NCI Stone Point NCI observed a motor launch drifting with the tide, having been anchored. No-one visible on board. HMCG informed, and tried to contact vessel, then 3 persons appeared on deck. Anchor was then lifted, , and vessel carried on its way. NCI No Yes
50231 28/06/2024 NCI Shoreham HMCG asked NCI for visual on a surfer reported to be in difficulty. Nothing seen, RNLI asked for visual as it was ready to launch, then casualty was seen walking up beach safely. Assets stood down. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50228 28/06/2024 NCI Torbay NCI Torbay observed stationary vessel appeared to be entangled. giving distress signal raising arms. Called HMCG who had already received call and logged 522319. AWLB launched and recovered NCI Yes Yes
50229 28/06/2024 NCI Calshot Tower HMCG called NCI Calshot Tower asking if they could see Vessel after a report of engine failure and broken sail- NCI confirmed position and conned LB on CH65 - LB recovered casualty MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50231 28/06/2024 NCI Shoreham HMCG called NCI Shoreham asking if had eyes on surfer reported in difficulty. Nothing found- continued monitoring. CG advised surfer making his way back to shore. ILB and NCI stood down MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50243 28/06/2024 NCI Porthcawl HMCG tasked ILB to person on rocks - potential suicide. NCI trained camera to site but only fisherman visible. ILB had no sighting, then it was confirmed it was a mistaken identity. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50228 28/06/2024 NCI Torbay NCI observed a stationary vessel, appeared to be fouled. 3 POB gave distress signal with arms, HMCG informed, but had been called by casualty. AWLB tasked, and towed casualty to harbour. NCI Yes Yes
50229 28/06/2024 NCI Calshot Tower HMCG asked if NCI had visual on vessel with engine failure and sail problem. Confirmed by NCI. ILB tasked, and was conned to casualty by NCI, and towed vessel to safety. MCA/HMCG Yes Yes
50215 27/06/2024 NCI Torbay HMCG contacted NCI Torbay following MOP concerned for safety of windsurfer appeared to be in trouble.NCI recognised him as a regular in the bay, and he was on way back to beach. All OK MCA/HMCG No Yes
50218 27/06/2024 NCI Exmouth MOP called NCI Exmouth reporting capsized dinghy - NCI located on CCTV - contacted HMCG- advised to monitor- dinghy righted and mde way to shore NCI No Yes

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