Join Us
Recruitment of new Watchkeepers - Spring 2024
We are open to new recruits. Training of new watchkeepers was disrupted during the COVID-19 restrictions and we are still slightly down on watchkeeper numbers, so if you think you might be interested please read on.
Teignmouth NCI has developed a very popular virtual training programme. This reduces the amount of training time spent in the lookout, thus enabling recruits to qualify as watchkeepers at quicker pace.
If you are interested, the enquiry form can be found at the bottom of this page; before completing, please read the charter document to ensure that you are comfortable with the commitment required.
Want to be a Watchkeeper?
NCI Watchkeepers are the ears and eyes along the coast, keeping a visual watch, monitoring marine radio channels, using radar and providing a listening watch in poor visibility.
Watchkeepers remain vigilant at all times. Surveillance work is mainly routine but NCI volunteers are trained to act in an emergency, report to the MCA and co-ordinate with the search and rescue services.
An accurate log of all activities is kept and local sea and weather conditions passed on to yachtsmen and fishermen who request them. We also keep a watch on activities such as kayaking, paddle-boarding, board-sailing, diving, jet-skiing and watersports which can be particularly vulnerable to changing sea and weather conditions; all are closely observed and monitored. We also keep an eye on the general safety of beach users within sight of the Lookout.
NCI Watchkeepers provide the vital link with all emergency services and an emergency contact point for both sea and shore users.
What is your commitment if you join?
If you decide to join us you will be made most welcome. You will be provided with a full training schedule including 'hands on' training watches with experienced watchkeepers.
Training includes tuition on taking bearings, plotting latitude and longitude, radio procedures, observation techniques and log work.
Training is non-oppressive and proceeds at a rate to suit your needs.
If at any point you decide NCI is not for you you are free to leave at any time.
You will be expected to volunteer for an average of 3 watches a month, of which at least 1 should be at the weekend.
Watches are of 3 hour duration in Summer. Watch Days start at 0900 and conclude at 1800.
Winter watches vary between two and three hours starting at 0900 and close at 1600. In the event of an emergency the watch would continue until the 'stand down' is given.
Watchkeepers are also expected to volunteer for at least one collection duty at a local venue per year.
Our uniform is simple, consisting of dark trousers and a white pilot shirt with epaulettes defining rank.
You will be expected to attend the members meetings whenever possible; these are generally held every 2 months. Some of these take the form of training sessions other have a guest speaker but all have a convivial social aspect to them with a bar and the opportunity to meet colleagues.
Still not sure?
You are very welcome to call-in to the Lookout at Eastcliff and have a chat with the Watchkeepers on-duty; and before you do why not spend a moment viewing the 'Welcome To Teignmouth NCI' slideshow in PDF Format.
Please email us @ Membership with any questions or for further information .
Made the decision to join? Download, complete and return an enquiry form
Enquiry form in Word Docx format or PDF Format. Please complete and email to @ Membership or post to the Lookout using the address on the contact page. Mark for attention of the membership officer.
Download a copy of the volunteer charter PDF Format. This is for information only at this stage it does not need to be returned until training starts
Applications and training plans are considered each monthly meeting.
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