National Coastwatch Institution's Nare Point watchkeepers

Unusually they were all in uniform for a photograph to be included in the National Coastwatch Institution’s 25th anniversary book.

Following the business of the meeting, the volunteers were addressed by Capt Duncan Paul, Falmouth’s deputy harbour master.

Duncan spoke about his background as a Merchant Navy captain, outlining the history of the port, explaining how it is managed and the responsibilities of the Harbour Commissioners to ensure the port is sustainable.

The audience heard about the central services, Falmouth Haven and the Falmouth Pilot Service.

Duncan also explained the port's role in emergencies and Nare Point received a thanks for alerting the port authority to the dangerous cargo of logs being carried by the Heba M back in late January. The vessel had experienced a storm off Southwold and had lost tons of logs overboard.

Watchkeepers were concerned about logs falling into the bay and becoming a hazard for smaller vessels and the safety of the crew who were attempting to secure the cargo. The vessel was required by the coastguards to go into the docks for unloading and reloading.

The NCI Nare Point Station was established 12 years ago in a redundant Ministry of Defence building at the entrance to the Helford and is one of 56 stations around the coasts of England and Wales, which support the coastguards and RNLI in saving the lives of those afloat.

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) began life 25 years ago at Bass Point on the Lizard Peninsula.

HRH Princess Ann is the Royal Patron and as part of the 25th anniversary events she recently met with all 56 station managers or representatives at the Victory Club in London.

Nare Point station manager Don Garman talked to her about the high level of traffic observed from Nare Point.