Local interest in the SeaVue Watch-keepers Afloat Scheme is increasing, according to Clive Edwards, founder and commodore of The Merchant Navy Associ-ation Boat Club.

Following the launch of the marine monitoring service earlier this year, efforts have been made to increase the number of association members volunteering, in addition to boosting links with national civil maritime organisations. Volunteers work to ‘spot, plot, and report’ potential casualty situations to the coastguard or relevant inland waterways departments.

He said: “In light of the move of the coastguard I talked to our members about setting up the SeaVue scheme and we now have 45 members committed to spot problems, not just at sea but also in channels and rivers.

“We are getting more and more members and there is interest locally.

“We co-operate with the coastguard and National Coastwatch Institution and have a meeting coming up on co-operation with the Maritime Volunteer Service.

“We’re not a frontline rescue service and it is really a way of enhancing visibility in places where we have blind spots.

“I’ve talked to the coastguard and they have said they really like the scheme.”

Edwards added that he was encouraging boat owners and even those who only have use of a boat to join the MNA and help contribute to maritime safety by becoming a SeaVue Watchkeeper Afloat.

Membership of the MNA costs less than £10 per annum, and members and associate members of the MNA are then entitled to join the Boat Club and the SeaVue Watchkeepers Afloat Scheme without having to pay any additional costs.