BOAT owners are being asked to donate any spare or used items used for chart work to help Exmouth’s coastwatch station train new recruits.

Clive Thorne, training officer, wants current or ex-boat owners to offer any spare or used belongings including dividers, parallel rulers, compasses, Portland plotters or any charts, old or new.

Mr Thorne said they would be used to help train new assistants before they could become full coastwatchers.

If anybody has such items, they should send them to Clive Thorne, National Coastwatch Institution, The Tower, above Harbour View Cafe, Queens Drive, Exmouth, EX8 2AY.

The tower is open from 10am until 6pm.

Mr Thorne, issuing the appeal, said: “Please help us to keep you and all users of the estuary, sea and beach, safe.”

Meanwhile, 37 people attended the Exmouth N.C.I’s general monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 15.

Discussions covered weather reporting, log keeping and safety for kite and wind surfers.

Jack Nott, river and canal manager for Exeter City Council, delivered a talk which ended with a question and answer session, in which he talked about tides, buoy placement, shifting sands, speed limits, byelaws, lawbreaking, safety and noise.

Bill Nash, station manager, presented certificates and epaulettes to four new coastwatchers, Roger Thomas, Wes Healey, Bryan Scotting and Ruth Burnett, who passed their assessments.

Mr Nash also announced that in view of holidays and other commitments there will not be a general meeting in July although there will be a committee meeting.

Exmouth currently has 52 members; 27 watchkeepers, 16 assistants, four permanent assistants and five under training.

Coastwatchers will be taking their annual river cruise with Stuart Line on the evening of July 13.