"Eyes on the coast" charity changes coastwatch station name

Newquay's fishermen are being reminded of a key change to the name of a watch point off the coast.

NCI Stepper Point has been renamed NCI Padstow due to its proximity to the town and to clear up confusion.

Staffed by volunteers, the lookout at Stepper Point - overlooking the Camel estuary - is part of the National Coastwatch Institution, a charity dedicated to overseeing the safety of people and vessels along the coastline.

Its watchkeepers provide eyes and ears along the coast, keeping watch and monitoring radio channels to ensure a listening presence, particularly in poor visibility. When people find themselves in trouble, the watchkeepers alert HM Coastguard and direct the appropriate emergency and rescue services to the casualty.

The NCI was founded in 1994 after two fishermen lost their lives off the Cornish coast near a recently closed Coastguard lookout. This tragedy spurred local people into action, leading to the restoration of the visual watch and the opening of the first station at Bass Point on the Lizard.

Today, more than 60 stations staffed by over 2,700 highly-trained volunteers provide a visual watch around the coastline of England and Wales, with plans for more in the future.

Volunteer Watchkeeper Stuart Hammond explains more... PRESS PLAY to hear our interview...