February 2023, Marks great progress with Filey Watchkeepers.
Since opening in July 2022, the new team working from the National Coastwatch Institute Filey Station have worked hard to be able to stand on their own two feet and add an additional layer of safety to the coastal area of Filey Bay.
The first task was to develop a local team of trained and assessed Watchkeepers under the mentorship of Watchkeepers from nearby Hornsea. That goal was achieved in around 3 months with nine local Watchkeepers becoming qualified and able to take up their new responsibilities. This allowed the running of morning and afternoon watches on Thursdays and Fridays whilst becoming mentors to more volunteers starting their training.
To further enhance their radio skills eight of these Watchkeepers undertook their VHF radio licence training during November to join the one Watchkeeper who already had a licence. By the beginning of December all had passed the examination and the nine seen below now hold VHF licences allowing them to use the station radio’s.
During December additional trainees were assessed and qualified to bring the number of qualified Watchkeepers up to thirteen plus two new trainee’s.
Increased numbers mean increased capability and so we started 2023 with increased station opening days adding Tuesday and Wednesday morning to the all-day Thursday and Friday open times.
As we move into spring we have our sights on having enough Watchkeepers to run daylight watches seven days a week by our 12 month birthday. We would welcome interest from anyone in the community who would like to join this team and get involved, giving something back to this beautiful area and community we live in.
Could you think of joining us? All training is given! Learn at your own pace! No previous experience necessary! No age limits! Male & female Watchkeepers!
You can call into the station whenever we are open and discuss your interest with us or alternatively you can co online to find out more at https://www.nci.org.uk/join