A voluntary organisation keeping a visual watch along UK shores

Swanage - QAVS

Welcome to NCI Swanage lookout station

                      Channel 65

NCI Swanage is a recipient of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Swanage NCI is one of the oldest stations, opening on this site on 15 April 1995. The current lookout was built by the members in 2001 under the guidance of Ian Surface, the station's first manager, a local builder.

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has been allocated a national licence by OFCOM for the use of VHF Channel 65. This dedicated channel has been granted to NCI with strong support from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Channel 65 facilitates communications between NCI lookouts and seafarers on a variety of routine matters. Stations can respond to requests from passing, as well as local sailing craft and fishing vessels for radio checks as well as actual weather and sea state conditions. They are also be able to provide on request information on a range of local facilities including, for example, local moorings, charted anchorages, water taxi contact details and local hazards.
The facility became operational on 1 October 2014 when National Coastwatch stations went live for the first time on Channel 65. All stations are equipped with a dedicated radio for this purpose and the service has in some cases replaced the practice of some stations holding a licence to operate on Marina Channel 37. Accordingly all NCI Marina Channel licences have been surrendered.

Visitor Policy
Visitors are normally most welcome at the lookout although, when an incident is ongoing, this may not always be convenient and the duty watch keeper may ask visitors to call back later. The area beneath the lookout (enclosed) and on the wall at the back of the lookout (formally in the shelter adjacent to the lookout houses) the "Around the Point" exhibition; laminated boards of local geological and other features of interest, organised and maintained by our watchkeepers.
Access

Pedestrian access is from Peveril Point Road. The South West Coastal Path passes the lookout. Vehicle access is restricted - please call the lookout for details.

Local Hazards
Peveril Ledges and the associated race on the ebb tide. Tanville Ledge and Phippards ledge in Swanage Bay. The old pier.
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to JRCC Fareham
Current weather and sea conditions are available by telephone during watch hours
Defibrillator Available: 
Mounted externally available 24 x7 call number displayed on unit for instructions
Station Telephone: 
01929 422596
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
CCTV Watch: 
A Webcam has been fitted and covers from Swanage pier to Durlston Castle
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
14
16
62
67
73
Radio: Channels in use (call direct not via ch 16): 
65
Radio: Channel 00: 
Listening watch and ready to transmit as authorised by Coastguard
Station Call Sign: 
Swanage NCI
Other Watch Information: 
Now receives and transmits on chanel 65
Visual Horizon: 
8 nautical miles
Radar Horizon: 
14 nautical miles

Weather conditions at NCI Swanage

Station Info

Station Address
NCI Lookout
Peveril Point Road
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2AY
Station telephone number
01929 422596
Station email address

Contact Station by Email

Station contact
Martin Leslie Jones
Station contact role
Station Manager
07737 630700
Station website

NCI Swanage Living History

Summer opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
18:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Until: 
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Notes: 
The watch will be open from 09:00 until 18:00. The lookout can be opened outside posted times by official request.
Winter opening
Open from: 
09:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Sunday, October 30, 2022
Until: 
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Notes: 
During the winter the lookout closes at sunset or 1800, whichever is earlier. The lookout is closed on Christmas Day.. The lookout can be opened outside posted times by official request. Night vision equipment is available.
Location
Latitude: 
50°36.43'N
Longitude: 
001°56.69'W
OS Reference: 
SZ 041 786
Station Elevation: 
36'/11 metres
what3words: 
upwardly.bars.smarting
Visual features of station
The lookout is built on top of a WWII gun emplacement.

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About

Currently almost 60 National Coastwatch stations are operational and manned by over 2600 volunteer watchkeepers around the British Isles from Fleetwood in the North West, through Wales, to the South and East of England to Filey in North Yorkshire. 

National Coastwatch watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears along the coast, monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. They are trained to deal with emergencies offering a variety of skills and experience, and full training by the National Coastwatch ensures that high standards are met.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The words National Coastwatch Institution and Eyes Along the Coast and the NCI logos are Registered Trademarks of NCI.

Contact


General enquiries
0300 111 1202

Media enquiries
0845 460 1202


[email protected]


17 Dean Street, Liskeard,
Cornwall, PL14 4AB