The National Coastwatch Institution's (NCI) 30th anniversary flag has been making its way around Cornwall.
The flag, on a 2,000-mile tour around 60 stations, kicked off its journey from Fleetwood on June 3, journeying to St Ives from the St Agnes NCI station last week.
Voyage plans initially entailed the complete trip by sea, but rough seas necessitated its transfer from Hayle on a rib.
Following a prolonged night hoisted at the iconic St Ives Station, celebrating its own 25th anniversary this year as part of the NCI, mayor of St Ives, councillor Johnnie Wells, lowered the flag on Saturday morning.
He, with St Ives watchkeepers, transported the flag to Smeaton’s Pier, where local boat Dolly P ferried it to its next destination, Cape Cornwall.
St Ives station manager Trevor Peake, along with volunteer watchkeepers, joined the flag on its journey, facilitated partly by Dolly P skipper Mike Laity.
Helen Simpson, an NCI trustee and former St Ives station manager who was in attendance, said: "Handing over the flag to the kayaker was a challenge, a strong swell meant very skilled handling by Mike the helm of Dolly P was required."
The flag made its overnight stop at Cape Cornwall NCI, under the watch of its manager, Jim Hind.
It then proceeded to Gwennap Head onboard the Sennen all-weather lifeboat—later handed off to the Penlee AWLB to Newlyn and finally a procession to the NCI station in Penzance.
Stephen Hand, chair of the NCI, added: "This year’s 30th anniversary is the ideal opportunity to put each station on the map and encourage even more people to join in and support us.
"The relay is about having some fun as well as helping to shine a spotlight on our lifesaving work as a part of the UK’s maritime search and rescue community."
The flag ends its journey in September at Filey in Yorkshire and ultimately Trinity House, where it will be presented to NCI patron, The Princess Royal.
Sponsorship for the flag relay and support for the celebrations come from Sirius Insight, leaders in sea safety, and security information systems.
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