On the beach between Irvine and Troon on any reasonable day during the winter months activities such as kite surfing, kite carting, wind surfing, horse riding, horse and trotting rigs, families walking with children and dogs, jogging, motor bikes, boating, canoes, fishing, kiting, bird watching, the list goes on. On any reasonable day in the summer the number multiplies considerably and add swimmers and sunbathers and for longer as the days grow longer. All these people on a beach with the number of activities listed is a recipe for disaster.
More people are taking part in activities all the year round as clothing is technically better to allow winter participation. People are more aware of exercise in regards to their health. 20 years ago only the so called ‘hardy’ people would venture along a beach in winter. Now we are encouraged to exercise, go out in fresh cold days and exercise by walking briskly or taking part in activity sports.
The problem with all the above is local authorities need to cut back on their budgets and facilities around beach areas are usually a certainty to be one of the first to go.
Toilet facilities are normally manned and therefore a point of contact in case of an emergency, if they are closed it takes longer to contact emergency services and not everyone on a beach has a mobile phone and believe it or not, not everyone who goes on the water in whatever craft has a mobile phone, radio or flares to attract attention in the case of an emergency. AND on a crowded beach area, someone could be in difficulty and no one notices. CWS Volunteers are trained to keep a watching brief and act if they see an incident or potential incident. CWS also having a watching brief on wildlife, monitoring seals, sharks, birds, fox and reporting anyone harming them.
So in essence we are looking to identify areas of high activity, people who have some free time and wish to assist their communities with all or any of the above. CWS can set up a units on lochs and rivers anywhere with high activity.
We also require people with the skills to teach and pass on local knowledge to our Volunteers.
Coastwatch hope to spread all over Scotland. Units would be set up under the Coastwatch Scotland constitution, but would be responsible for raising funds and purchasing equipment. Each unit would be responsible for its own actions and would rise or fall by these actions. The constitution is written so that each unit has autonomy and does not need to contact the ruling body, unless its intended actions go outwith the remit or constitution.
Some units may be set up to work hand in glove with local authorities and /or emergency services, depending on the individual councils and their Emergency Planners or individuals in charge of emergency services in that particular area of Scotland. Some councils will see CWS as an addition to their teams and a support organisation to the council, others will see CWS as just another organisation to put up with. Officers from CWS will advise and support anyone wishing to set up a unit and if required will accompany an individual to meetings with local authorities and Grant Giving trusts.
1 or 2 members from each unit would be elected on to the Coastwatch Scotland committee for Scotland. This committee oversees all units and makes sure they follow the constitution. Ideally if the units could take over a building overlooking the beach area. Help would be given on how to approach local authorities to take over leases etc. If no building is available, then even a towable caravan would suffice as a lookout station. The local community would come to know Coastwatch are stationed there and are watching over them. Each Station would be equipped with marine radio, weather station, mobile phone, first aid kits, charts, OS maps as basic.
The objects are to assist in the preservation of life at sea and along the coastline by the provision of ‘Lookout Stations’ for the public benefit.
Also
To assist the local authorities and emergency services where possible.
To advance the education of the public in all aspects of safety at or near water by teaching maritime skills.
To assist in safeguarding the coastal and marine environment including wildlife.
If anyone would like to set up a unit anywhere in Scotland then contact me and we will discuss steps to achieve this. There are members who can visit the location and advise on buildings, costs, how to attract members, speak with the local authority,etc.
Qualifications are based on Royal Yachting Association syllabus
For a Watchkeeper
VHF Radio certificate
First Aid
Training on charts and OS maps will be given
How to use binoculars
In addition
Boat Qualifications
Powerboat level 1&2
Intermediate Powerboat
Advanced Powerboat
Safety Boat
Personal Watercraft
Navigation for beginners
Day Skipper theory
Financial assistance may be given to go through courses depending on unit funds.
Some of our members are RYA qualified instructors and therefore courses would be run at low cost.
