NCI Filey

15/07/2026

We’re lucky to have more than a few ‘high fliers’ among our wonderful 2,900 volunteers and Issy is one of them. Literally.

Issy grew up and lives on the Dorset coast and her interest in all things maritime and sport started at primary school when she took the chance to try sailing as part of the ‘Sail for a Fiver’ scheme which encourages young people to give watersports a go. And that was the start of a passion that’s led to her becoming a Royal Yachting Association Senior Dinghy and Sailing Scheme Instructor based at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

She’s also set her sights high with plans for a career with the RAF.
In 2023, she joined the Royal Air Force Air Cadets and rapidly rose through the ranks to become Flight Sergeant earlier this year, holding responsibility for supervising cadets, mentoring JNCOs, and maintaining high standards of discipline and conduct. She also supports multiple squadrons as a Sector Cadet SNCO, helping to maintain standards, share good practice, and provide guidance to cadets across the sector.

Issy said: "I joined NCI because I wanted to give something back to my local community in a way that would make a real impact in the coastal environment, one that I have spent a lot of time in for work and sport. The best thing about it has been not only being able to apply knowledge from my work into NCI, but being able to take knowledge and skills back to work. Volunteering is definitely helping with my career plans - it is something that is brought up in most interviews and is almost always a talking point!"

Station Manager Judy Clarke said: “We’re delighted to have Issy as part of our watchkeeping team at NCI Lyme Bay. She joined us in September last year and within a matter of months had passed her watchkeeper training with flying colours to become a fully qualified watchkeeper. The added bonus is that she’s a whizz at helping with our Instagram.”

You don’t need any maritime (or high flying or sporting experience!) to volunteer with us as full training is provided. What we do ask is that all volunteers share a passion to help save lives along the coast.

Interested in volunteering with us? https://www.nci.org.uk/what-we-do/volunteering/

13/07/2026

Whether you’re new to kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, or heading out regularly, take a few simple steps to have fun and stay safe. Our friendly watchkeepers at all our stations will be pleased to provide you with the latest local safety information.

Always check wind and tide. If the wind is blowing from the shore out to sea (offshore wind) it can blow you out to sea very quickly and it's hard to get back to safety. Think about postponing your trip until another day.

Before you go, ensure you have:

Personal flotation device – to help keep you afloat if you enter the water 🦺

Fully charged mobile phone – kept in a waterproof pouch so you can call for help 📱

Personal locator beacon – useful if you lose mobile signal 📍

Equipment labels – label your paddleboard, kayak and other watersports kit, so the Coastguard can check you’re safe if it’s found 🏷️

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

11/07/2026

Please come along and support our emergency services. We shall be there, so come and say hello 😊

11/07/2026

10/07/2026

We have a number of charity places available for this year’s Great South Run— and we’d love you to be part of our team! 🏃🏼

Every mile you run helps our volunteer watchkeepers in our mission to help save lives along the coast. And you'll be taking part in what's billed as the world's favourite running event - you'll get the shiny medal to prove it!

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or taking on your first 10‑mile challenge, you’ll have the full support of NCI behind you — plus the chance to raise vital funds for our stations nationwide.

We will be featuring two of our wonderful runners' stories and following their journeys over the coming weeks, so please do support them.

👟 When? 18 October 2026

👟 Where? Portsmouth

👟 Join us: Sign up for a charity place and run for the coast!

How? To register to run on behalf of National Coastwatch please email [email protected] with subject heading GREAT SOUTH RUN

Once we receive your email, we will register you on the ‘Let's Do This' platform and you’ll be listed on the database and receive full support to set up your fundraising. It’s all super easy.

To donate in support of those who are running the GREAT SOUTH RUN for National Coastwatch follow this link:

https://ow.ly/uaku50Zmlct

10/07/2026

🤝 Make your community safer in just a few minutes.

By logging local emergency equipment on GoodSAM, you can help ensure these life-saving resources are easier to find when they're needed most:

💓 Defibrillators
🩸 Bleed kits
🛟 Water rescue equipment
👨‍🚒 Outdoor fire equipment

No registration needed, just log the equipment and help save lives.

Get started: www.rlss.org.uk/goodsam

09/07/2026

With summer here, please help protect marine wildlife by following the DEFRA Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code.

As part of Operation Seabird, we’re reminding all sea users to:

- Stay at least 100 metres away and move further away if animals show signs of disturbance.
- Keep your distance if two or more boats or watercraft are already nearby.
- Travel at no-wake speed (under 6 knots).
- Never swim with, touch or feed wildlife.
- Never chase or surround animals.

If wildlife approaches you, maintain your speed and direction and allow the animals to move away in their own time.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/3qhtIGz

Water safety is equally important this summer. The RNLI offers useful advice, including the Float to Live campaign: https://bit.ly/4p8QsD9

If you're using kayaks, paddleboards or similar craft, check weather and tide conditions, go with a buddy, carry a means of communication, wear a buoyancy aid and know who to contact in an emergency.

You can find more water safety guidance here: https://bit.ly/3Rn5x7y

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

Learning water safety skills should start young, and they're vital during hot weather when families are spending more time in and around water.

Why not use your next family swim as an opportunity to practise simple lifesaving skills, such as:

✅ Getting in and out of the water safely
✅ Finding your float
✅ Moving through the water confidently

Explore our practical tips and videos to help you teach these essential water safety skills: 👇
www.rlss.org.uk/teaching-your-children-basic-water-safety-skills