Isle of Wight volunteers who help save lives around the coast welcomed HRH The Princess Royal at the National Coastwatch station in Bembridge this morning (Thursday, May 16).

See photos from the visit above and video below

Station manager Michael Batchelor escorted Her Royal Highness, who is the royal patron of the National Coastwatch Institute (NCI) – into the lookout, the station’s main operations room.

Michael briefed her about the work of the highly trained watchkeepers and their part in helping save lives around the Island’s coast.

Bembridge’s 40 volunteer watchkeepers help to keep people safe at sea by maintaining a daily visual and radio watch of the coast.

Her Royal Highness was also introduced to members of HM Coastguard and representatives from the Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team, who briefed her on the coastal risks at Bembridge.

The County Press caught up with station manager Michael who spoke about the work Bembridge NCI does and his encounter with the Princess Royal.

He said: “What she was particularly interested in was our relationship with the coastguard because out of 60 stations around the UK, there is only one that shares premises with the coastguard, and that is us!”

Michael explained that a trial took place a couple of years ago to help provide a model for the rest of the country, with the station opening in 2022.

“It was highly successful,” Michael said, “so it was signed off as a permanent arrangement, and we now share the station with the coastguard rescue team.

“We are the eyes and ears of the coastguard. It is very much a partnership.”

We asked Michael if he thought The Princess Royal was pleased with the visit.

He said: “Oh, I think so. She was very interested in what we do. Even though she’s been to lots of other stations, she was very chatty.”

Michael explained that every station’s lookout is different, so he provided Princess Anne with a rundown of all the equipment.

“She took an interest in that, and she is very easy to talk to, and she is a great listener. She has a genuine interest in what we do, and she’s a very hard-working woman,” he said.

After visiting the station, The Princess Royal attended a reception at the nearby Brading Haven Yacht Club, where she presented certificates and epaulettes to three newly qualified watchkeepers and unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit – which will be placed in the Bembridge station.

The Princess Royal also visited the Sea View Yacht Club.

More to follow tomorrow (Friday, May 17) on Princess Anne's visit, including photos from Seaview.

See our coverage in the County Press newspaper tomorrow and next week.