NCI Froward Point
Encyclopedia
NCI Froward Point is a busy National Coastwatch Institution
(NCI) lookout station at Froward Point at the easterly side of the mouth of the River Dart
two miles by coast path from Kingswear
in Devon
in England
. Its twin duties are to maintain an hours of daylight watch over the local coastal area and the South West Coast Path
on whose route it lies. With some significant blind spots because of the coastline, NCI Froward Point covers the coastline from Start Point
in the West towards Brixham
in the East.
The area of operation has a mixed boating population of a fishing fleet, recreational yachtsmen, both sail and power, yacht racing fleets, small commercial passenger vessels, kayaks, canoes, military vessels, dinghy racing fleets, racing gig
s, small boats and inflatables, powered and unpowered. During the summer months the recreational seafarers make the lookout both busy and an important resource. In addition there are regular visits to the River Dart by passenger cruise liners during the cruising months. The high number of boating movements makes the mouth of the Dart and the surrounding headlands places of high risk. Although it is not involved in traffic management, NCI Froward Point alerts Brixham Coastguard both to potential incidents and incidents in progress.
The Froward Point lookout became operational in July 2005 with planning going back to 2002. It is one of a growing number of NCI lookout stations on the coast of the United Kingdom.
NCI Froward Point rents two buildings of the Brownstone Battery complex, a World War II
battery, from the National Trust
. As a part of the NCI UK registered charity, NCI Froward point is entirely supported by charitable donations.
NCI Froward Point works closely with HM Coastguard at Brixham, and the Dart Lifeboat
, and is a accredited with Declared Facility Status which allows full participation on UK Search and Rescue incidents
NCI Froward Point has been featured in the ITV Southwest Regional Evening News programme on 14 February 2007 as a significant point on a featured walk
s on which it maintains a listening watch unless authorised by the Coastguard on a per incident basis, a pair of mounted telescope
s, binoculars
, a radar set and a weather station. The weather station updates the lookout's website with weather data every minute or so via a microwave link to a broadband connection as an important real time service to seafarers. A webcam, updating images at the same interval, provides a visual check on sea state and weather. With no mains electricity to the site solar panels are used and a diesel generator is run when necessary.
The lookout station maintains a visitor centre with information about both its operations and also the Brownstone Battery itself.
ns and other wildlife for relevant wildlife organisations.
National Coastwatch Institution
The National Coastwatch Institution is a voluntary organisation and registered charity providing a visual watch along the UK's coasts, and is not to be confused with HM Coastguard.-History:...
(NCI) lookout station at Froward Point at the easterly side of the mouth of the River Dart
River Dart
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England which rises high on Dartmoor, and releases to the sea at Dartmouth. Its valley and surrounding area is a place of great natural beauty.-Watercourse:...
two miles by coast path from Kingswear
Kingswear
Kingswear is a village and civil parish in the South Hams area of the English county of Devon. The village is located on the east bank of the tidal River Dart, close to the river's mouth and opposite the small town of Dartmouth...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Its twin duties are to maintain an hours of daylight watch over the local coastal area and the South West Coast Path
South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path is Britain's longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National Trail. It stretches for , running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Since it rises and falls with every river mouth, it is also one of the more...
on whose route it lies. With some significant blind spots because of the coastline, NCI Froward Point covers the coastline from Start Point
Start Point
Start Point may refer to:*Start Point, Devon, in England*Start Point, Cornwall in Cornwall, England*Start Point, Livingston Island on Livingston Island*Start Point, Sanday, in the Orkney Islands, Scotland...
in the West towards Brixham
Brixham
Brixham is a small fishing town and civil parish in the county of Devon, in the south-west of England. Brixham is at the southern end of Torbay, across the bay from Torquay, and is a fishing port. Fishing and tourism are its major industries. At the time of the 2001 census it had a population of...
in the East.
The area of operation has a mixed boating population of a fishing fleet, recreational yachtsmen, both sail and power, yacht racing fleets, small commercial passenger vessels, kayaks, canoes, military vessels, dinghy racing fleets, racing gig
Cornish pilot gig
The Cornish pilot gig is a six-oared rowing boat, built of Cornish narrow leaf elm, long with a beam of four feet ten inches.It is recognised as one of the first shore-based lifeboats that went to vessels in distress, with recorded rescues going back as far as the late 17th century.The original...
s, small boats and inflatables, powered and unpowered. During the summer months the recreational seafarers make the lookout both busy and an important resource. In addition there are regular visits to the River Dart by passenger cruise liners during the cruising months. The high number of boating movements makes the mouth of the Dart and the surrounding headlands places of high risk. Although it is not involved in traffic management, NCI Froward Point alerts Brixham Coastguard both to potential incidents and incidents in progress.
The Froward Point lookout became operational in July 2005 with planning going back to 2002. It is one of a growing number of NCI lookout stations on the coast of the United Kingdom.
NCI Froward Point rents two buildings of the Brownstone Battery complex, a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
battery, from the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. As a part of the NCI UK registered charity, NCI Froward point is entirely supported by charitable donations.
NCI Froward Point works closely with HM Coastguard at Brixham, and the Dart Lifeboat
Dart Lifeboat Station
Dart Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue operations at Dartmouth, Devon in England. The present station was opened in 2007 although an earlier lifeboat was stationed in the town from 1878 to 1896...
, and is a accredited with Declared Facility Status which allows full participation on UK Search and Rescue incidents
NCI Froward Point has been featured in the ITV Southwest Regional Evening News programme on 14 February 2007 as a significant point on a featured walk
Facilities
The station is equipped with fixed and handheld Marine VHF radioMarine VHF radio
Marine VHF radio is installed on all large ships and most seagoing small craft. It is used for a wide variety of purposes, including summoning rescue services and communicating with harbours, locks, bridges and marinas, and operates in the VHF frequency range, between 156 to 174 MHz...
s on which it maintains a listening watch unless authorised by the Coastguard on a per incident basis, a pair of mounted telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
s, binoculars
Binoculars
Binoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes when viewing distant objects...
, a radar set and a weather station. The weather station updates the lookout's website with weather data every minute or so via a microwave link to a broadband connection as an important real time service to seafarers. A webcam, updating images at the same interval, provides a visual check on sea state and weather. With no mains electricity to the site solar panels are used and a diesel generator is run when necessary.
The lookout station maintains a visitor centre with information about both its operations and also the Brownstone Battery itself.
Wildlife
When not monitoring the surrounding area for people at risk, watch keepers record sightings of seals, cetaceaCetacea
The order Cetacea includes the marine mammals commonly known as whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Cetus is Latin and is used in biological names to mean "whale"; its original meaning, "large sea animal", was more general. It comes from Ancient Greek , meaning "whale" or "any huge fish or sea...
ns and other wildlife for relevant wildlife organisations.
Incidents
NCI Froward Point has been involved in the following incidents:- 13 Sep 2007 - Asked to assist Brixham Coastguard in locating disabled motor cruiser Jelly Bean. Located successfully.
- 27 Sep 2007 - Assisted Brixham Coastguard with locating MFV Jose Jacqueline, reported to be in danger.
- 10 Feb 2007 - Initiated rescue of 5 metre RIB
- 20 Feb 2007 - Located 10 metre motor cruiser with mechanical failure and conned Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority vessel to the casualty
- 21 August 2007 - Assisted Brixham Coastguard with yacht Stay Free taking in water.
- 24 Nov 2007 - Initiated rescue of small high speed inflatable. Sole occupant was hypothermic when rescued by the Dart Lifeboat
- 14 July 2008 - Initiated rescue of small open boat with engine failure near the Mewstone
- 20 June 2009 - Asked to assist Brixham Coastguard with a 19 ft Dory with 5 on board, that had run out of fuel at the Homestone and had let off flares.
- 29 August 2009 - Initiated rescue of replica of Nelson's cutter.
- 4 May 2010 - Initiated alert for apparently unmanned drifting motor cruiser south of Mewstone.
- 27 April 2011 - Initiated ambulanceAmbulanceAn ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
assistance for walker in difficulties on the coast path.
- 3 August 2011 – Initiated assistance for dinghy on lee shore in Newfoundland Cove.