VIEW FROM THE TOWER!

Visit us on stand D11 on Saturday 18th May from 0900 to 1600. Come and see us and find out about the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI): - The role the NCI plays in promoting water safety. - How to become a watchkeeper at Gosport - What do watchkeepers do.

 HM Coastguard has just released a website packed with safety tips whether you are on the beach or on the water! Follow the link for Family Safety Week -  https://t.co/SmVi6taMUJ

Knowing the local weather conditions before you set off can make all the difference to the enjoyment of a day on the water.  Have you ever wondered what the actual weather is like at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, or Bembridge or the Needles for example? Help is at hand! Your local NCI Stations all along the Solent make regular weather broadcasts on VHF Channel 65 throughout the day to give you up to date information about the actual weather near you. Gosport NCI has published a leaflet detailing the times of all the local NCI broadcasts - look out for it at your local NCI station or marina or listen out on VHF Channel 65. Becoming a watch keeper: If you would like to become a watch keeper, email the station manager at richard.suggitt@nci.org.uk for more information. Making a donation to Gosport NCI: Text NCIGOSPORT to 70450 to donate £5. Social Media Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  Members of the National Coastwatch Institution station at Gosport recently made two presentations to the Chair of the Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service, better known to everyone as GAFIRS. Cold Comfort! The first came as a result of the GAFIRS New Years Day swim; three hardy watchkeepers from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) Gosport station joined hundreds of swimmers for a chilly sponsored dip into the Solent on New Years Day. Although more used to keeping watch over the sea, coasts and other swimmers for those in distress, our watchkeepers bravely launched themselves intothe water and were not at all distressed to raise a substantial amount in personal sponsorship!One part of this was donated to the NCI station, and the other was given to GAFIRS. Heart Felt Thanks! An official ‘Thank You’ certificate was presented by the NCI Gosport Station Manager in recognition of a special training programme run by GAFIRS for the watchkeepers of NCI Gosport. This included First

 As watchkeepers based in Portsmouth harbour entrance, we get the opportunity to see an amazing variety of different vessels......... Traditional Sailing Boats Becoming a watchkeeper: If you would like to become a watchkeeper, email the station manager at richard.suggitt@nci.org.uk for more information. Making a donation to Gosport NCI: Text NCIGOSPORT to 70450 to donate £5. Social Media Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  Alan, former naval officer   Why I became a watchkeeper? I love binoculars round my neck and to see the whole of the eastern Solent in view and that I am making a contribution to water safety.     Becoming a watchkeeper: If you would like to become a watchkeeper, email the station manager at gosport@nci.org.uk for more information. Making a donation to Gosport NCI: Text NCIGOSPORT to 70450 to donate £5. Social Media Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  Mark, amateur sailor and food and beverage business man   Why I became a watchkeeper? I have a love of the sea. I love the location in Fort Blockhouse and the teamwork.     Becoming a watchkeeper: If you would like to become a watchkeeper, email the station manager at gosport@nci.org.uk for more information. Making a donation to Gosport NCI: Text NCIGOSPORT to 70450 to donate £5. Social Media Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Yesterday, watchkeepers from Gosport NCI had a privileged insight into the workings of Portsmouth Harbour Control with a visit hosted by Nick Randall, the King ’ s Harbour Master. Portsmouth, along with Plymouth and Clyde that have a King ’ s Harbour Master (KHM) in recognition of their primary roles as Royal Navy bases.The current job of KHM dates back almost 200 years but its origins can be traced to the beginning of 17th century. The KHM ’ s remit covers 55 square nautical miles of sea, from Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight to the Eastern Solent and Seaview Bay to the South and the approaches to Langstone to the West. The KHM is responsible for all movements in and around the harbour, admiralty pilotage and the safety and security of the port operations.   From their offices in the Semaphore Tower in Portsmouth ’ s historic dockyard complex, Harbour Control operate 24/7 and manage movements in and out one of the busiest ports anywhere - with over 80,000 vessel transits annual