THE Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Mohammed Saddiq formally opened Minehead’s National Coastwatch Station on Thursday (June 11).

Mr Saddiq was accompanied for the ceremony by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff.

The unveiling ceremony was performed in front of volunteer watchkeepers from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) and other invited guests from Minehead Coastguard, Minehead Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and Minehead harbourmaster Capt Jessica Tyson.

After the ceremony, Mr Saddiq was given a tour inside the station and was introduced to some of the volunteer watchkeepers by station manager David Curran.

They were able to talk to the Lord Lieutenant about their roles within the NCI.

Minehead National Coastwatch Station deputy manager Malcolm Oyston welcomes Somerset Lord Lieutenant Mohammed Saddiq, who visited to perform the official opening. PHOTO: George Ody.
Minehead National Coastwatch Station deputy manager Malcolm Oyston welcomes Somerset Lord Lieutenant Mohammed Saddiq, who visited to perform the official opening. PHOTO: George Ody. (George Ody)

Mr Saddiq also spent time with the local Coastguards, RNLI volunteers, and Capt Tyson.

The formal opening follows on from the station achieving NCI ‘Declared Facility Status’ earlier this year, meaning it is recognised as a valuable asset to the search and rescue organisations working the Bristol Channel coast near Minehead.

A spokesperson for Minehead NCI said: “We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far and are looking forward to building on this.

“We are also grateful to the Lord Lieutenant and his deputy for visiting the station and spending time with some of the volunteers.”

Coastwatch volunteers provide ‘eyes and ears’ along the UK coast in support of HM Coastguard as part of the country’s wider marine search and rescue capability.

The Minehead station, which operates 365 days of the year, is one of more than 60 around the country and is always looking for more volunteers to join its watchkeeping team.

It helps to provide accessible coastal and water safety information for residents and visitors, many of whom might not know the challenging West Somerset coastline and the dangers presented by sea, cliffs, sand, and tide.