A RADAR system has been installed by the coastguard on the Tees Bay coast.
The new system, bought with £3,000 donated by the Lloyds TSB Foundation, was switched on this week.
The voluntary organisation Coastwatch Redcar, which is open every day of the year, is equipped with radar, radio and weather monitoring equipment.
Since it was established in 1996 it has handled more than 200 incidents.
Phil Chinery, Coastwatch Redcar secretary, said: "The River Tees is the third busiest port in the UK and this equipment will enable our volunteers to provide a better back-up service to HM Coastguard."
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