SEA SAFETY GROUP

NORTH DENES COAST WATCH, NORTH DRIVE,

GREAT YARMOUTH,

NR30 4HG

(UK Registered Charity no.1074624)

THE NEED FOR COASTAL WATCH STATIONS

 Just over twenty years ago there were 43 major Coastguard stations, 160 lighthouses and 30 lightships around our coasts.   All were manned 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, keeping watch over our busy coastal areas.

All this has now changed.   Automation has taken over, lookout stations have been closed and major Coastguard stations are much reduced, leaving a huge gap in coastal surveillance.

It is this gap that the Sea Safety Group is aiming to fill, to put back the security

of knowing that someone is looking out for your safety.

No-one is immune from accidents, and they can and do happen with frightening suddenness, often without time to send out any form of distress signal or call for help.

Children wander off, walkers sustain injuries, jet-skiers may be swamped, anglers may be swept off a beach or quay by a rogue high wave. Wind surfers, swimmers and people using inflatable airbeds and small dinghies can be swept out to sea by strong currents and winds.Divers may surface a long way from their support boats.

Possible tragedies such as these cannot be foreseen.

The North Denes Coast Watch tower is one of a network of coastwatch stations on the Norfolk/Suffolk coast, each being responsible for its own running costs.

We are staffed by volunteers who stand four-hour watches to suit their personal circumstances.

We receive no government or local authority funding neither do we receive sponsorship.

Our dedicated band of volunteer watchkeepers receive no pay, no expenses (not even for travel) and buy their own uniforms out of their own pockets.

We are entirely dependent on public generosity.

The money which we raise, every penny of it, is used for the maintenance and improvement of the building and equipment.

If you wish to contribute to our funds, there is a collection box outside the tower, or send a cheque to the Station Controller at the above address.

Think of us as you enjoy your holiday – someone will be here, for eight to twelve hours of every day of the year including Christmas, New Year and Easter, keeping watch over your safety.

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

We were the first Coastwatch station to be recognised by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency as having Declared Facility Status, which means that we are accepted officially as part of the emergency services network.

We co-operate with and are recognised by HM Coastguard, HM Customs & Excise, HM Constabulary, RSPCA and RSPB.

VOLUNTEERS

We can always use more volunteers, men or women.

If you are 18 or over and able reliably to commit to a minimum of one four-hour watch per week, we shall be glad to hear from you.

Experience is not required – we will give you “on-the-job” training to Qualified Watchkeeper standard, which takes about a month.

If you think you would enjoy doing a useful and satisfying job, knock on the door and have a chat with the duty watchkeeper.