This Canvey Island branch of the National Coastwatch Institution, provides a voluntary visual and radio watch on vessels and persons using the Thames and its foreshore around Holehaven Creek, with prime consideration to safety of persons, and then of property, alerting appropriate emergency services where appropriate. Volunteers endeavour to man the watch station for eight hours, 365 days a year (longer hours in the summer), according to national guidelines and procedures.

The benefit of our organisation is to the users of The River Thames and the foreshore to the S.W of Canvey Island. We provide a daily visual and listening radio watch with the immediate contact to the emergency Search and Rescue Services. All vessels of all types using the River are under our surveillance, in particular to small private vessels persons using the beach, foreshore and foot paths are monitored. Through our presence, persons and vessels have been rescued and loss prevented.

During 2012 the Station was manned 355 days with a total of 4,000 watch keeping hours. These were extended considerably during the Olympic Period. It was necessary for watch keepers to notify Thames Security of suspicious persons and vessels during that period. Joint exercises have been held with members of the Thames Search and Rescue organsiations to make sure the system works properly. Increased training has enabled the Station to achieve DFS status, a standard approved by the Coastguard.