Last week, the Baltic Exchange hosted the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) at Bakers’ Hall. 

The NCI team were greeted by the Chairman of the Baltic Exchange, Denis Petropoulos and Chief Executive, Mark Jackson. 

NCI watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears along the coast, monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. When people get into trouble, the NCI are on hand to alert HM Coastguard and direct the appropriate rescue services to the casualty.

Each station is manned by a team of fully trained and dedicated volunteers who keep a daylight watch up to 365 days a year. Stations are equipped with telescopes, radar, telephone and weather instrumentation as well as up to date charts. 

Watchkeepers come from all walks of life and offer a wide range of skills and experience. Full training ensures that volunteers reach the high standard expected by the NCI and HM Coastguard.

You can find out more about the NCI here. 

 

About the Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation

The Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation (BECF) is a charitable incorporated organisation which brings together the established range of historic Baltic charities under one umbrella. It was formed after many years of service to the maritime community by the merger of the Baltic Exchange Charitable Society, the London Shipowners’ and Shipbrokers’ Benevolent Society (LSSBS), the Baltic Exchange Fund and the Bonno Krull Fund, as an independent charity supporting largely maritime causes for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

Whilst continuing to support past members of the Charitable Society and their dependants, and the heritage objects of the LSSBS, it continues to support a number of maritime related activities including the purchase of and support for RNLI lifeboats in Devon and Hampshire in the UK, as well as educational scholarships and funding for the Sailors Society, Mission to Seafarers, National Coastwatch Institution (NCI National Coastwatch Institution) Coastguard Watch, the Marine Society and the Ahoy Centre.