The NCI  Short Range VHF class, recently authorised by NCI HQ, was initiated in style with our first group of Trainee Radio operators. The course, designed around the RYC Short  Range VHF course, was overseen by John Gregory, a member of our Support Team and qualified Radio Amateur. This was after he had attended the NCI briefings along with Station Manager Tony Mee and Deputy Station Manager Pauline Arthey in Norfolk, and having had their course approved.

Team Members Trevor Allsobrook, Ian Hulse, Doug Tyrie, Arch Stevenson, Dr Graham Williams and Mike Pheby were the inital group to sit the two day course over two weekends, held at The Boat Shed in Mablethorpe. The resulting 100% pass rate was outstanding and the team membes will be obtaining their Radio badges from Tony when they arrive from the Quartermaster Store. Two more groups are in the pipeline to take the course , Pauline being the admistrator. The target is to get as many Watchkeepers trained in Radio proceedure; with the onset of the Summer season it will be an aid to the the Team

National Coast watch’s Mablethorpe team, who launched their service to the community of Mablethorpe, Easter 2009, are now relocating to a higher vantage point. In a reprise of their launch the Vicar of Mablethorpe, the Reverend Alison Harvey, will bless and dedicate the new Surveillance Unit located in Sea View Car Park, Mablethorpe.

The Chairman of the National Coastwatch Institution, Mr Jon Gifford, will also be on hand to see the station commissioned. He commented that the Mablethorpe team had seen their unit grow from a Beach Chalet on the Promenade to a fully equipped NCI station in less than twelve months and this is all a credit to the dedicated work of the band of volunteers that make up this hard working team.

The team have watched out over the Sea and Beach at Mablethorpe for a total in excess of 3,000 man hours since opening and have assisted in the identifying and saving 4 people. They have also logged both commercial and leisure craft plying the waters locally. They have also endured the coldest of winters in a decade from an open chalet on the Promenade.

Their Station Manager, Tony Mee, said “I was proud of my team, both in the way they have adapted and overcome adversity with the cold weather, and secondly the way they have supported me in all the Fund Raising efforts to acquire this state of the art unit”. Tony also commented that this new Station would not have come to fruition without the support of businesses and local people of Mablethorpe without whose generous donations and Sponsorship the unit would have been a long time coming.

He also said “On behalf of my team I wish to say a big thank you to all; this type of ship (sponsorship) is one we love to see!”

The local HM Coast Guard were heavily involved with the choice of the new location, as it gives a spectacular overview of Mablethorpe North Beach, a location which is very heavily used by Holiday makers and locals alike. They commented that the station will be an asset they will be happy to support over the coming years.

National Coastwatch Institution nationally are ever expanding, this year seeing the planned opening of another four stations around the coast, but Mablethorpe are proud to be the 42nd station on their locale.

Over the last year (2009) nationally, NCI stations have Logged and Identified 180919 Commercial and Military Vessels along with 193416 Pleasure Vessels, a grand total of 374335. The 39 operational stations have spent a total of 174600 man hours on watch (3,000 of those were at Mablethorpe), operated by 1652 Trained and Trainee Watch keepers who were supported by 144 Auxiliaries. During those hours they were involved with: 818 incidents reported to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, 68 reported for Police involvement and a further 323 involved Ambulance, Wildlife and other agencies of these 1209 incidents, 49 required the launching of RNLI assets, and all this was at NO COST to the Nation.

The team are always on the look out (no pun intended) for new members to join their ranks: the main requirement is a pair of “MK 1 eyeballs” this is the main tool the team use, All the other assets that they use, binoculars and the like, are extra and aids to their main remit of Spotting, Reporting and Plotting. Full training is given in-house and at the Volunteers own speed so there is no pressure. A Team Volunteer comes from all walks of life but mainly the recently retired person with a few hours spare in the week or month to help the local Community stay safe.

Prospective Volunteers should contact Ian Hulse, Recruitment Coordinator on 01507 466230.

Our next Sponsored Fund Raising event is at The Tavern, Mablethorpe Chalet Park, Off Quebec Road, with a Race Night put on by the Lions. All are welcome; come along and help the horses by shouting loudly and support NCI Mablethorpe whilst have A Grand Night Out!

NCI Mablethorpe has moved. As from 27th February, 2010 our new address is:  SEA VIEW CAR PARK, QUEBEC ROAD, MABLETHORPE.

The new Station,which is owned by NCI Mablethorpe, is a vandal proof steel building, located 50 feet above sea level. We now have an extensive view over the North Shore to look out for dangers and increase your safety.

Our thanks go to the team who worked tirelessly using their skills and experience, including carpentry and metal work, to prepare and furnish the the building to very high specifications. Flower filled planter boxes will soon add a finishing touch to the outside of the building.

Asked why the February 27th date for the change Station Manager Tony Mee said “It is an auspicious date for us as the team’s inaugural meeting was scheduled for the 27th February 2009 and from that date to now what a Team I have; supporting me and working through the hardest winter in many a year, to keep watch out from an open Beach Chalet, so this New Station is an accolade to their efforts!”

The Annual Remembrance Parade at Mablethorpe was joined by our team for the first time, this year. Watched by a large crowd of Local Dignitaries and Voluntary Groups along with Military and Civilian Representatives, Tony Mee, Station Manager laid a traditional wreath of Poppies to the fallen on behalf of National Coastwatch Mablethorpe.

Tony was exceedingly pleased with the teams turn out. A professional and smart body of men and woman he said. Mablethorpe will now know who we are and what we are about.

Tony Harrison, Watch Keeper, attended the Sutton on Sea Remembrance Parade as Team Representative, however he did not lay a wreath.

Tony Mee, commented: “It was nice to know we are becoming known in the local Communities as an active group. This is being reflected in the donations we are receiving and the support of the local General Public”

A plaque recognising the first Major sponsors of our New Station has been completed and is now awaiting the arrival of our new building to which this group have donated substantial amounts. The plaque, embossed by our our own Phillip Eldridge, marks the first milestone in the developement of NCI Mablethorpe and will be displayed in the building.

The new, eagerly awaited, station will be sited on the edge of Seaview Car Park overlooking the North Beach. At an elevation of nearly 50 feet above sea level it will give us a commanding view of the Beach and Sea, enhancing our abilities to SPOT PLOT and REPORT any incidents that may arise.

On Sunday the 20^th September 2009, Debbie Prince is taking part in the Great North Run and she will be donating the proceeds of her run to the National Coastwatch Institution at Mablethorpe, for which we offer our grateful thanks.

The monies she collects for us will go towards refitting our new Station which we hope to relocate to Sea View Car Park.

Hopefully we will be able to obtain equipment such as an overhead projector with screen, Weather Station, AIS, Computer, Binoculars, Monocular, more Charts and Training aids.

We wish her the best of luck in this venture and hope lots of people will sponsor her. Sponsor forms will be available from Debbie at the Library in Mablethorpe, and also the NCI Station at Mablethorpe during opening hours

Watch this space for more information on how she fared.

The Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea Lions have donated to us, Two lovely new Marine Radios. On these we shall be able to Monitor all the Marine Radio frequencies including Channel Zero the HMCG channel  so we will be aware of what is occuring in and around our patch. Station Manager Tony Mee accepted the radios on our behalf. We thank theMablethorpe and Sutton on Sea  Lions for their continued support, especially after the very successful Race Night held at the Montalt Arms Mablethorpe and that raised a substancial amount, so we thank you and look forward to putting our new pieces of kit through their paces.

Vandals have struck again on the new local National Coastwatch Station at Mablethorpe, in a copy cat attack on the halyards of their flagpole;  similar to the attack of three years ago on the NCI station at Ingoldmells when flag lines and pulley’s were also slashed and stolen.

Last Monday dawned bright and early for 4 Intrepid Trainee’s –  it was their day!

First to go under through the test was Tony our leader and he aced the appraisal and so did the the others – So Pauline and Bill need a a pat on the back for a job well done. Our new Watch keepers’ success must act a a catalyst for the the rest of the team to aspire to Watch keeper because without you we can only shut up shop and that is not an option. So get out the training manuals and brush up on Flags ands Phonetics and a tip look at the wall when you are in the station!

WELL DONE THE NEW WATCH KEEPERS!

Friday 8th May was an auspicious day for the Team – The Vicar of Mablethorpe and Trusthorpe blessed the station and National Chairman Jon Gifford set the Station to work.

Supported by the team members the Group consisting of Local Dignataries, HM Coastguard in full number one dress, The Mayor of Mablethorpe and a representation of local Councillors along with the Salvation Army band sang the hymn Eternal Father, and the station was blessed and the NCI Mablethorpe’s  Station Manager Tony Mee said a few words prior to Jon Giffords’ launching of the Service.

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