1877 origins
The building was originally built as an RNLI Lifeboat Station, later becoming a museum and HM Coastguard station before Coastwatch took up residence.
Our story
About Coastwatch Redcar
A registered charity operating coastal surveillance from the Zetland Lifeboat Museum on Redcar Esplanade — entirely run by volunteers, funded by our community.
Coastwatch Redcar is a registered charity operating from the lookout station on the top floor of the Zetland Lifeboat Museum on the Esplanade in Redcar. Originally the building was occupied by HM Coastguard until the early 90s when they re-located to the Tees and later the Tyne. The nearest CGOC (Coastguard Operational Centre) is now Humber Coastguard, operating from Bridlington.
As a coastal surveillance station, Coastwatch still maintains a visual watch on our area of the coast and liaises with Humber on any potential maritime incidents. Local fishing boats, leisure craft, divers, wind surfers, PWCs (jet skis), horse riders and persons walking the rocks are all users of the water and the foreshore.
We also liaise with all the emergency services, the local authority and the local shop link. In addition to visual watches we maintain VHF radio monitoring and modern radar surveillance, weather recording and local marine traffic logging.
Our station & heritage
The Redcar station opened on 31 October 1996 and occupies the top two floors of the Zetland Lifeboat Museum.
Recent improvements
Grant funding has helped rebuild the lookout, install a kitewinder staircase, modernise the training facility and refurbish kitchen and washroom facilities.
Community funded
We receive no government or local authority funding. Fundraising is local, sourced from the public and local businesses — we would not survive without community generosity.
365 days, volunteer powered
The station is manned 365 days a year by trained volunteers working regular two or four hour watches. We pride ourselves in a total volunteer workforce.
Coastwatch has been maintaining a presence on Redcar's sea front since the mid 90s and we are currently in a position to take on new volunteers. Maritime experience is helpful though not an essential requirement as full training is given.
Training is in house, working alongside senior watchkeepers with some additional time spent with our training officer. Anyone interested can give us a call for an application form or call in at the station and see how we operate.
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Charitable objects
To assist in the protection and preservation of life at sea along the United Kingdom coastline. -
Registration
Charity number 1177709 · CIO registered 26 March 2018 -
Gift Aid
Recognised by HMRC for Gift Aid on eligible donations. -
Governance
4 trustees · 27 volunteer watchkeepers · No paid staff over £60,000