The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has announced the difficult decision to close all of its 56 NCI stations from midnight tonight (Wednesday) until further notice.
The NCI Trustees have reluctantly made the decision to suspend all current operations this morning via an online board meeting. They say that the decision has been taken in order to protect the health of their 2,670 volunteers, many of whom fall into the vulnerable age category, and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
NCI watch keepers are fully trained volunteers that carry out surveillance along our coastlines. Using a range of resources such as radar, telescopes and weather instrumentation they provide a vital link with all emergency services.
Watches at the lookouts will be resumed as soon as government guidelines permit.