A voluntary organisation keeping a visual watch along UK shores

Folkestone - QAVS

Welcome to NCI Folkestone lookout station

Covid 19 Update

STATION RE-OPENING

We are pleased to announce that our Folkestone Station at Copt Point has now re-opened on a restricted basis.
To remain compliant with current HM Government, and our own national guidelines, we will be operating solo watches together with a remote buddy system to adhere to social distancing, and the safety of our watch keepers.
Initially we will be operational between 0900 and 1800 hours Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and, in conjunction with any changes to official guidelines, will review this on a regular basis with the expectation of a gradual phasing back to full time operational status in the not too distant future.
In the meantime the current situation dictates that the station will remain closed to all visitors until further notice.

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

For Radio Checks, inshore forecast and present weather, sea conditions and local information call direct on VHF ch.65
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 watchkeeper may ask visitors to call back later. The station is at the top of a steep hill and, being a former WW2 command post, is not wheelchair friendly.
Access

From Wear Bay Road, Folkestone. The station is close to the white Martello Tower at the crest of the East Cliff. Pay car parks are close by with some free street parking.

Local Hazards
Cliffs at front of station; steep hill to rear.
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to CGOC Dover
Current weather and sea conditions are available by telephone or Channel 65 during watch hours.
Defibrillator Available: 
Mounted internally available when lookout is open
Station Telephone: 
01303 227132
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
11
16
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: 
Folkestone NCI
Visual Horizon: 
Up to 21 miles depending on the set of the tide and visibility. = 96 sq miles of sea

Station Info

Station Address
NCI Lookout
Copt Point
Wear Bay Road
Folkestone
Kent
Station telephone number
01303 227132
Station email address

Contact Station by Email

Station contact
David Taylor
Station contact role
Station Manager
07858 737082
Summer opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
18:00
Days: 
Every Day
Notes: 
Summer hours commence at start of BST.
Winter opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Every Day
Notes: 
The Station closes @ 17.00 hours or sunset if earlier. Winter hours commence at the end of BST. The Station is closed on Christmas Day.
Location
Latitude: 
51° 05.11' N
Longitude: 
1°11.92' E
OS Reference: 
TR 241 366
Station Elevation: 
164 Feet/50 metres
what3words: 
doted.elevate.skim
Visual features of station
Ex-WW2 Command Post.
Other identifying features
3 White Masts

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About

Currently 56 NCI stations are operational and manned by over 2600 volunteers keeping watch around the British Isles from Fleetwood in the North West, through Wales, to the South and East of England to Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire. 

NCI 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 NCI 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