National Coastwatch Institution in Cornwall Gets Lifesaving Boost from Classic Cottages

A recent donation from holiday letting business Classic Cottages is set to enhance lifesaving capabilities along a key stretch of Cornwall’s coastline. The Hayle-based company has provided funds for new equipment at the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) Portscatho, which operates on the Roseland Peninsula.

New Equipment Enhances Safety

Thanks to a £700 donation, the NCI Portscatho team has been able to purchase Fujinon stabilised long-range binoculars. These high-grade optics will help the team of watchkeepers better monitor the coast, keeping an eye out for potential dangers and assisting in keeping the coastline safe. The NCI station at Portscatho is one of 13 across Cornwall, all manned by fully trained volunteers who keep a daylight watch up to 365 days a year.

Peter Evans, the station manager at NCI Portscatho, expressed his gratitude, saying that the new binoculars have already made a real difference in identifying and logging passing vessels. He emphasised the importance of having the right equipment to spot dangers along the coast and highlighted the long-standing relationship between the village and Classic Cottages.

Photo: Peter Evans, Station Manager at NCI Portscatho, with Liz Arnell (left) and Leonie Iddison from Classic Cottages.

Supporting the Cornwall Coastline

Leonie Iddison, South Cornwall area manager for Classic Cottages, along with marketing coordinator Liz Arnell, recently visited NCI Portscatho to test out the new equipment. Leonie expressed the company’s pride in supporting the work of the NCI, acknowledging the critical role they play in ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors to Cornwall’s coastline.

So far this year, NCI stations in Cornwall have responded to almost 70 incidents, ranging from broken-down vessels to stranded paddleboarders and even lost dogs. In one notable case, NCI Cape Cornwall identified a fishing boat that had drifted from Brittany after its crew fell overboard, leading to a rescue by the French authorities.

The History of NCI

NCI, headquartered in Liskeard, was founded in 1994 following the tragic loss of two fishermen off the Cornish coast. The first station opened at Bass Point on The Lizard, and today the organisation operates 58 stations across England and Wales. Now in its 30th year, NCI continues to play a vital role in coastal safety.

For more information on the NCI and the work they do, visit NCI’s website. You can also learn more about Classic Cottages and their award-winning holiday letting services at Classic Cottages.

Photo: Peter Evans, Station Manager at NCI Portscatho, with Leonie Iddison (left) and Liz Arnell from Classic Cottages.