At a Glance
- Southend East & Rochford MP Bayo Alaba visits Shoeburyness NCI station
- Tour led by Station Manager Rodney Hyne-Jones
- New recruit Bethan Mason receives Certificate of Competence
- NCI supports Coastguard, RNLI, Police, Border Force and others
- Station monitors coastline and estuary from MoD/QinetiQ site
Mr Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, and his assistant Lucy Garrard, paid a visit to the National Coastwatch Institution watch station at Shoeburyness. Southend NCI, as it is known, is part of the Maritime Search and Rescue Organisation, providing support for the Coastguard, the RNLI and other agencies.
Mr Alaba was shown around the facility by Station Manager Rodney Hyne-Jones. Also in attendance were Watchkeeper Chris Taylor and one of the newer recruits, Bethan Mason, who was presented with her Certificate of Competence and epaulettes by Mr Alaba.
The station is based on the MoD property at Shoeburyness, administered by QinetiQ. The facility watches over anyone using the coast and the estuary who may find themselves in difficulty. They are the first line of communication, reporting directly to the Coastguard and liaising with the lifeboats, Police, Border Force and local Pier and Foreshore when required.