1 of 4
Watchkeepers
Watchkeepers - Froward Point, Kingswear
2 of 4
NCI Banner
3 of 4
Froward Point
Froward Point from the sea
4 of 4
Watchkeepers
Watchkeepers - Froward Point, Kingswear
The National Coastwatch Institution at Froward Point, Dartmouth
Many of you who sail in the vicinity of the Dart estuary and further afield will know that a visual and radio watch is kept by volunteers, all year round during daylight hours, from our Lookout (the Observation Post for the old Coastal Battery) at Froward Point (50° 18.2’N 003° 31.9’W). Along with some 50 other stations around the coast, these well-trained and motivated watchkeepers form part of the UK’s Search & Rescue service. Last year Froward Point played a part in six incidents mainly between June and September. Our patch covers the whole Start Bay area. A visual representation can be found on our web site. (www.nci-frowardpoint.org.uk).
Froward Point works very closely with Dart Inshore Lifeboat and Brixham. We monitor VHF channels 16 & 67. In addition, we have a listening watch on ch 00 (Coastguard) & ch 31 (Dart Lifeboat). In this way we are well informed as to what is going on in our area. Our training includes working with the Dart Lifeboat where we practise ‘conning’ their inshore lifeboat onto small targets up to a mile and a half out to sea. Each year the Station has to undergo a comprehensive inspection by our own National Inspection team under the watchful eye of the Coastguard. It is only after successful completion that a station is granted its ‘Declared Facility Status’ and becomes part of the UK’s search and rescue organization.
Our last report of this and other information can be seen on our web site which provides real-time weather data as well as a real-time pictorial view of Start Bay. In the unlikely case that the weather station is down or should you wish to contact us at any time you can call 07976 505649. Our opening times are as follows : 1st April to 30th September – 0900 to 1700; 1st June to 31st August – 0900 to 2000; 1st October to 31st March 1000 to 1600.
During the sailing/racing season the watchkeepers are particularly aware of the need for vigilance in the areas to the south and west of the Lookout where much of the racing takes place. During the RDYC’s annual regatta, one of our senior committee who has attended the safety briefing will ensure that we monitor safety-boat VHF frequencies and act as a VHF relay for the club.
For those of you more interested in coast path walks then the route to Brixham or Coleton Fishacre from Kingswear, will take you past the Lookout. Visitors are always most welcome in the Lookout to view our facilities and visiting yachtsman may ask to review our Logbook to ascertain whether or not they have been logged correctly!
Should you wish to become more involved with Froward Point, all you have to do is send an email to greyholme@sky.com and we will include you every time we send out a newsletter. Similarly, if you are a local and would like to volunteer as a watchkeeper then please email us. Do not be put off if you lack a nautical background – only about a third of our volunteers have past or present connections with the sea. We have volunteers from all walks of life and with a wide range of ages. The comradeship is part of the reward of being a watcher.
Finally, we rely entirely on public donations to support our important work, so do please visit our web site where you can make a donation. Or you can do so at the Lookout itself.
For further information or enquiries about becoming a watchkeeper, please contact the Station Manager (Bob Tozer) at greyholm@sky.com or on 01803 844235. See also www.nci-frowardpoint.org.uk
First published May 2011 By the Dart