Cromer

Welcome to NCI Cromer.

The lookout station overlooks the famous Devils Throat, a notorious area of the North Sea, respected by mariners through the ages. This busy Seaway holds many dangers for Shipping: Sand Banks, Oil Rigs, Gas Platforms and Wind Farms. All the traffic from the North East and Eastern Ports on transit to Europe and beyond pass our station. 

This North Norfolk coastline is also a busy tourist location. From our cliff-top position we have a commanding view over Cromer beach to the west of the famous pier, with the RNLI station and slipway clearly visible, to East Runton beach and beyond. We watch out for vulnerable people on the beach and water sports enthusiasts and can forewarn the Coastguard of actual or potential incidents at sea in order that a lifeboat can be launched at the earliest opportunity.

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 Watchkeeper may ask visitors to call back later. March 2020 Corona virus measures may be in place and updated on a regular basis. Please abide by the watchkeepers' advice. Thank you for your understanding.
Local Hazards
Sand Banks, Oil Rigs, Wind Farms, Cliffs and Tourist Beaches
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to MRCC Humber
Current weather and sea conditions are available by phone during watch hours or via vhf ch 65.
Defibrillator Available: 
No
Station Telephone: 
01263 519751
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
CCTV Watch: 
Yes
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
16
63
67
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: 
Cromer NCI
Other Watch Information: 
Radio: Channel 31 Listening Watch. (Lifeguards and RNLI LB)
Visual Horizon: 
18 nautical miles

Station Info

Station Address
Beach Road
East Runton
Cromer
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PA
Station telephone number
01263 519751
Station email address
Station contact
Richard Leeds
Station contact role
Station Manager
07767 492456
Station website
Summer opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
18:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Monday, April 1, 2024
Until: 
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Winter opening
Open from: 
10:00
Open until: 
16:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Until: 
Monday, April 1, 2024
Location
Latitude: 
52°56.20'N
Longitude: 
001°16.50'E
OS Reference: 
TG201427
Station Elevation: 
60 feet 18 metres
what3words: 
watchdog.trepass.abode
Visual features of station
NCI Cromer is a demountable modular building situated on a cliff top overlooking Cromer and East Runton Beaches

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