A new camera installed to help coast-watchers keep people safe triggered the recovery of lost paddleboarders just an hour after being installed.
The new equipment, located at Aberthaw, was installed ahead of the official opening of the National Coastwatch Institution’s new interactive seafront area at its St. Donat’s Station. Just an hour after installation, NCI watchkeepers Jill and Karen heard an ‘All Vessels’ call from Maritime and Coastguard Agency requesting any ships to help locate two young paddleboarders missing at Fontygary Bay.
Using the new camera, they quickly spotted the boys and helped coordinate their return to shore supported by the RNLI and Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team.
“The new camera means we can now see a previous blind spot, which is exactly where this incident happened,” said NCI St. Donat’s Station Manager Neil French. “Without this camera – generously supplied by Erith Construction Group, fitted by Stormforce Security Ltd. and hosted by CCR – we simply couldn’t have seen those lost paddleboarders.”
The drama unfolded just ahead of a weekend to officially open NCI St. Donat’s first interactive seafront zone, aimed at sharing safety information 24/7. It was officially opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Morfudd Meredith, at the seafront of UWC Atlantic College, which has a proud history of lifesaving rescues.
“Our new area expands the station reach and assists coastal users to stay safe even when we aren’t actively keeping watch,” explained Neil French. “But it also means people can access the station from the Wales Coastal Path, to come and meet us, see what we do and learn more. Along with the useful information and fun new elements like a free-to-use telescope, local maps and wildlife identifiers, we hope visitors will thoroughly enjoy the new experience.”
The partnership project has transformed a corner of the iconic seafront. It was made possible thanks to support from GVS through the Third Sector Small Grants scheme – Community Action supported by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Further generous support from The Waterloo Foundation, UWC Atlantic College, Friends of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and Llantwit Mayor Town Council Mayor Dr Peter Dickson turned the idea into reality.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the partners, helpers and supporters who’ve made this possible – especially our former Station Manager and recent recipient of Bro Radio’s Volunteer of the Year Award, Jo Schup, who led the whole thing,” added Neil French. “If it can help keep more people safe, by sharing good tips for enjoying the coast, then that’s good news for us all.”
NCI St. Donat’s Bay is also actively keeping a special lookout for the next intake of volunteer watchkeepers. The station, based at UWC Atlantic near Llantwit Major, is the eyes and ears along the coast to help keep people safe. Working with search and rescue teams including the RNLI and HM Coastguard, NCI St. Donat’s Bay is crewed by a team of volunteers from the local community, staff and students from the College.
Open during daylight hours, it’s aiming to expand to 7 days a week with the help of more volunteer crew. New recruits will receive full training in nautical knowledge, search and rescue protocols and a range of skills required to meet the high standards of HM Coastguard and the RYA.
Volunteers are aged 16+ of any gender and work alongside local volunteer crew, student cadets and staff at the College to deliver a year-round Coastwatch service.
Watchkeepers often come from the local community and all walks of life, offering a wide range of transferable skills and experience but sharing a common purpose: to volunteer their time to search and rescue at sea and on the coast.
People don’t have to have any maritime experience as full training is provided.
If you are interested in volunteering at the NCI St. Donat’s Bay station, please email an expression of interest including a brief introduction of your background to the Station Manager: st.donats.bay@nci.org.uk.
Applicants will be contacted in August with more information and the chance to try it out before committing.
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