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NCI St. Donats Bay unveils new Interactive Zone

Monday, 23 June 2025 11:26

By Nathan Spackman

NCI St. Donat's Bay has officially opened its first interactive information area.

Set in front of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) at the seafront outside UWC Atlantic College, the new public area aims to inform and educate passers-by, as well as offering a bit of fun. 

The partnership project has transformed a corner of the iconic seafront. It was made possible thanks to support from Glamorgan Voluntary Services 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. 

“Today, a previously unloved area is alive with colourful designed posters illustrating coastal features, safety tips, tide times, local wildlife and more,” said NCI St. Donat’s Station Manager Neil French. “It’s made a big difference to the look and feel of the station and also features a distinctive new free to use blue telescope, so that people can take a look along the coast, as the NCI watchkeepers do.” 

The transformation took a few months during spring, thanks to willing volunteers. It was led by NCI St. Donat’s Bay’s Jo Schup, who recently won Volunteer Of The Year at Bro Radio’s annual Community Awards. Jo was the station’s first manager and was instrumental in driving its set-up in 2021.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Jo and to all the partners, helpers and supporters who’ve made this possible,” added Neil French. “It’s a thrill to officially open this new facility before the school holidays begin, and we’re looking forward to a summer of public engagement to follow. 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 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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