Coastwatch stations fly flag to mark anniversary

24 August 2024

Eleanor MaslinBBC News

News image — The National Coastwatch Institution flag marks the charity's 30th anniversary

National Coastwatch Mablethorpe Several members of National Coastwatch Mablethorpe and others standing with the blue National Coastwatch Institution flag next to the station in Mablethorpe — The National Coastwatch Institution flag marks the charity's 30th anniversary

A special flag marking the 30th anniversary of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has been relayed from Lincolnshire to East Yorkshire.

NCI is a voluntary organisation which watches the coastline for signs of people in trouble. Its members work closely with the RNLI and HM Coastguard.

The flag is touring the country, and on Saturday left Mablethorpe to travel north across the Humber to Hornsea.

Paul Panter, station manager at NCI Mablethorpe, said: "It's important for us that people understand why we are there and what we do. We proactively look out for anyone in distress along the coast."

National Coastwatch Mablethorpe Circus performers dressed in blue and white outfits with ruffled white feather hats on the women holding the flag — Russell's International Circus incorporated the flag into some of their acts while performing in Mablethorpe

On Thursday, Russell's International Circus performed in Mablethorpe and incorporated the National Coastwatch flag into their performance to help raise awareness.

The relay set off from Fleetwood in Lancashire on 3 June.

Starting in Cornwall in 1994, NCI boasts 60 stations across the UK.

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