VOLUNTEERS at the NCI Porthdinllaen Station have been flying the flag for coastal safety by taking part in a 2,000-plus miles station-to-station relay as part of the National Coastwatch charity’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Starting in Fleetwood, Lancashire, the special anniversary flag is travelling anti-clockwise to each of the charity’s 60 coastal watch stations during the summer. It will end its journey in September at the most northerly station on the east coast in Filey, North Yorkshire.
Sirius Insight, a leader in information systems for safety and security at sea, is sponsoring the flag relay and providing support for NCI’s 30th anniversary.
At each station, the volunteer watchkeepers who help save lives around the coast have been coming up with innovative ways to pass the flag on to the waiting crews at their neighbouring station. The 5ft x 3ft flag will be electronically tagged and relayed using many different types of transport including boats and ferries, tractor and trailer, horse and cart, classic cars and by walking and long distance running.
At NCI Porthdinllaen in Morfa Nefyn volunteers will receive the flag on the 8th June from watchkeepers at NCI Rhoscolyn on Anglesey. It will have travelled, to Bangor (North Wales) by Sea or Caterham 7, subject to weather. Where it will be met by ‘Charity Ultra Runner’ Melina Morris who is running 141 miles in 2 days from Bangor to Aberdaron. Melina has a ‘Just Giving’ page for her ‘Pen Llyn Ultra’ in aid of NCI Porthdinllaen. Her route will pass NCI Porthdinllaen’s watch station on Nefyn Golf course where the flag will be handed over.
Station manager for NCI Porthdinllaen, Andy Smith said: “This year is an exciting milestone and it’s great for us all to come together, take part in some extra fundraising and have some fun in our own community at the same time.
“Our intention is to muster as many watchkeepers and supporters at our watch station on June 8th, to welcome Melinda and receive the flag.”
“We will be setting off to Wooltack Point, Milford Haven, the next point in the station- to-station relay, on the 11th June at 08.00am, arriving at 12.00. We have chosen a classic 60 year old Daimler Dart SP250 as our mode of transport.
“The 268 mile round trip to will take approximately 10 hours plus time for photo! This is also a sponsored event.”
Stephen Hand, NCI Chair said: “This year’s 30th anniversary is the ideal opportunity to put each station on the map and encourage even more people to join in and support us.
“The relay is about having some fun as well as helping to shine a spotlight on our lifesaving work as a part of the UK’s maritime search and rescue community. It’s a privilege to be part of this organisation and to be able to say a huge thank to you to all our supporters and our 2,700 wonderful, highly trained volunteers.”
National Coastwatch volunteer watchkeepers help to keep people safe and save lives at sea by maintaining a daily visual and radio watch of the coast, looking out for anyone in potential danger. They report any coastal safety-related incidents to HM Coastguard so that expert help can be sent, including the Coastguard Rescue Teams and helicopters, the RNLI, independent lifeboats and all emergency services.
When the flag relay has been completed, the flag will be taken to Trinity House in London where it will be received by NCI’s Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal. It will be installed in Trinity House for the duration of the NCI’s 30th anniversary year. Trinity House is a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community. It has a statutory duty as a General Lighthouse Authority to deliver a reliable, efficient and cost-effective aids to navigation service for the benefit and safety of all mariners.
To support NCI: National Coastwatch Institution – JustGiving
To support NCI Porthdinllaen Station :. https://pay.sumup.io/b2c/QHIB7AY2
NCI Porthdinllaen Station contact details [email protected]
