A voluntary organisation keeping a visual watch along UK shores

Stone Point (Lepe Park)

In response to the Coronavirus precautions, we are staffing NCI Stone Point from 1000hrs to 1600hrs on Fridays to Mondays inclusive. However,  it is not always possible to adhere to these hours. The station is being manned by a either by a maximum of two watchkeepers, or by a lone watchkeeper with a second "buddy Watchkeeper" in radio contact. We hope to extend the coverage as circumstances allow. Due to the crisis visitors are not allowed in the Station.

 

Situated in Lepe Country Park, this NCI station is a new satellite station of NCI Calshot Tower.  During summer 2019 the Station was staffed at weekends and Bank Holidays on a trial basis. The Station was judged to be a valuable resource and it will continue to be operated. For the future it is planned to provide more suitable premises and, eventually, to increase the hours of operation. The beach adjoining the lower car park is directly in front of the Station, while Lepe Spit can be viewed from the nearby cliff edge.

Visitor Policy
Visitors are welcome to come to the Station and ask about our work although, when an incident is ongoing or when training is taking place, this may not always be convenient, and the duty watchkeeper may ask visitors to call back later.
Local Hazards
Very strong currents over Lepe (Horseshoe) Spit and at Stansore Point even inshore at the beach edge. Danger of vessels going aground at Lepe Spit and the Beaulieu River entrance. Tide rips around Lepe Spit CM and at Gurnard Ledges
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to NMOC Fareham
Current weather and sea conditions are available by phone during watch hours
Defibrillator Available: 
No
Station Telephone: 
07763 645433
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
No
DSC Watch: 
No
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
16
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: 
Stone Point NCI
Visual Horizon: 
5nm towards the east and 10nm to the west Solent; on the mainland: Stansore Point to Beaulieu River entrance, Also Hurst Castle; on the Isle of Wight: Old Castle Point to Hamstead Cliff including the Gurnard Ledge and Newtown River entrance.

Station Info

Station Address
c/o Calshot Tower
Calshot Spit
Calshot
SO45 1BR
Station telephone number
07763 645433
Station email address

Contact Station by Email

Station contact
Sue Rudge ( [email protected] )
Station contact role
Secretary
Summer opening
Open from: 
10:00
Open until: 
16:00
Days: 
Monday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Notes: 
Summer opening applies during the period of British Summer Time; the station is also staffed for Bank Holidays and during Cowes week.
Winter opening
Open from: 
10:00
Open until: 
16:00
Days: 
Monday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Notes: 
Winter opening applies outside the period of British Summer Time.
Location
Latitude: 
50° 47.06' N
Longitude: 
001° 21.237' W
OS Reference: 
SZ 4564 9851
Station Elevation: 
16 feet; 5m
what3words: 
competing.nutty.briefer
Visual features of station
The Station is an NCI Mobile Unit situated at the cliff edge in the Lepe Country Park upper car park above and to the east of the "Lookout" restaurant and Park Office.

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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