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Watch Keepers at Nells Point NCI come from all walks of life and offer a wide range of skills and experience. Watch keepers are the eyes and ears along the coast, keeping a visual watch during daylight hours, monitoring radio channels, using radar, and keeping watch in all weather states. Watch keepers remain vigilant at all times. Surveillance work is mainly routine but watch keepers are trained to act in an emergency, report to the MCA and if required co-ordinate with the search and rescue services. New Watch Keepers are given comprehensive training in all aspects needed to become proficient in this very rewarding service.
Training is given in Navigation, Communication, Distress signals, Meteorology, Ship type Recognition, Radar. Etc. At present we have 26 trained watch keepers and a number of members undertaking training. Training ensures that all volunteers reach the high standard expected by the NCI and MCA. Regular assessments take place at all stations and retraining programmes are held to maintain standards, and to keep Watchkeepers up to date with latest legislation or improved operational procedures.
All new volunteers spend time with experienced watch keepers and are not asked to take any responsibility until absolutely confident to do so. Anyone over 18 can join, both women and men are all welcome, all watch keepers give their time freely, pay for their own uniforms, and are active in fund raising and raising the profile of the NCI. Times of shifts at Nells point are currently 09.00 hours to 1300 hours, and 1300 hours until 17.00 hours every day. The commitment to watches can be as little as one a month but one a week is carried out by most of our members.
There are many functions that a watch keeper at this NCI station have to undertake and gain confidence and proficiency in their duty.
Our duty is to enhance the work of other institutions, as listed below, serving the public by being observant and informative,