Andy Wood, a Yacht Broker at Boatshed North Wales, was treated to a guided tour of Holyhead Coastguard Station.

Andy is also a volunteer for the North Wales National Coastwatch Institution and along with several volunteers and the North Wales Area Manager, David Littlemore, enjoyed a morning of witnessing HM Coastguard at Holyhead in action. Sue Davies gave a detailed talk about the duties carried out at Holyhead, which covers a huge area of North Wales including Anglesey, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay. The Operations Room was very interesting and these days benefits from very hi-tech equipment and cutting edge computer software but still employs the good old VHF radio. Sue explained how the Coastguard works very closely with Mountain Rescue, RNLI and Coastwatch in search and rescue operations.

Afterwards Andy was taken by David Littlemore to visit the latest NCI station at Rhoscolyn on Anglesey, which is being developed in readiness for opening in the next few weeks.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer watchkeeper for NCI North Wales or indeed any other area should contact David Littlemore on 01766 512166.