31 December 2009 As the old year rapidly draws to a close, this month has witnessed yet another milestone in the history and development of the National Coastwatch Institution. Bass Point, the first NCI station to open, has celebrated its fifteenth year of watchkeeping since it first became fully operational on 18 December 1994.

When Tony Culmer and Peter Williams, two local fishermen from nearby Cadgwith lost their lives after their boat became swamped, local people decided to restore the visual watch which had previously been abandoned when the old coastguard station was closed down. Singlehanded, they raised enough money to reopen the lookout and NCI was born.

Amongst the first volunteers was Robbie Wilson who is the only one of the original pioneers still keeping watch. At the recent anniversary celebrations held at Mullion Golf Club, he received a special certificate in recognition of his fifteen years service as an NCI watchkeeper.

Since 1994, the success of Bass Point has been inspirational to NCI which now comprises over 40 stations around the coast manned by some 1,700 volunteers coming from all walks of life to fulfil an important role within the search and rescue network  -  providing eyes along the coast.