NCI Froward Point

31/10/2026

Repairs get the go ahead at NCI Froward Point.

A big thank you and well done to our dedicated watchkeeper team at NCI Froward Point, who have recently been busy repairing our wind turbines and carrying out a number of practical maintenance jobs to help keep the station running.

These ongoing maintenance tasks help keep the station operating smoothly. The efforts, hard work, time, and skills of our watchkeeper team are very much appreciated.

These photos show two of our existing panels being replaced with larger ones by watchkeepers Tim and Andy. These improvements were carried out before some recent good news came our way.

We are now delighted to announce we have received a generous donation from a local businessman, who has kindly offered to fund a brand-new, German-made Superwind SW353 horizontal wind turbine, more efficient than the existing one.

This will replace our existing vertical turbine and represent another positive step forward in improving our equipment and helping us keep Froward Point in good working order.

The new turbine is still to be fitted, more updates to follow as this project progresses.

A massive thank you to our generous donor for supporting NCI Froward Point, and to all our committed watchkeepers for their ongoing teamwork and commitment.

It takes a lot of effort behind the scenes to keep everything in working order, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make it happen.

15/10/2026

See the coast differently – Volunteer with NCI at Froward Point

Join us this autumn and become part of a dedicated watchkeeper team helping to keep our coastline safe.

Autumn is a great time to become a watchkeeper with the NCI. The coastline is now quieter than the peak summer months, giving you the space and time to learn, but there is still plenty happening along the coast to help gain practical experience and settle into the role at a comfortable pace.

We offer friendly, no-obligation taster sessions so you can see what is involved and decide if it is right for you. No previous maritime experience is needed.

Our supportive team provides a full training programme for all new recruits, covering everything from radio and radar use to understanding tides and currents, and much more, equipping you with the knowledge and skills you need to carry out the role.

If you have visited Froward Point or ever thought about giving something back to your local community, we would love to welcome you this autumn.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering at Froward Point please get in touch by emailing – [email protected]

13/10/2026

A big thank you from NCI Froward Point.

We are pleased to share some lovely news. This week, several local businesses have kindly shown their support for NCI Froward Point by displaying our NCI collection boxes on their premises.

A huge thank you to:

The Guardhouse Guardhouse Café, Berry Head

K’ohana, Broadsands Beach

The Bay Coffee House, Brixham

We would like to say a special thank you to The Guardhouse Café at the Berry Head Nature Reserve for letting us put an NCI Froward Point display in their foyer. A great way to help raise awareness of the work our volunteer watchkeepers do at the lookout station.

We are extremely grateful to all these local businesses for helping us promote NCI and for supporting our station.

A special appreciation goes to our watchkeeper Helen, who kindly arranged all of this. Her efforts in bringing these local businesses on board are greatly appreciated and will help us spread the word about the role of the NCI.

NCI Froward Point is manned by dedicated volunteers 365 days a year. As a charity run entirely by volunteers, we rely wholly on donations and the generosity of our local community to fund our operations. So, next time you visit one of these lovely places, please pop a little something into the NCI collection box if you can. Every donation, however small, really does make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who supports us, whether through a donation, sharing our posts, or simply helping more people learn about what we do.

10/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, NCI Froward Point is proud to be part of a crew that looks out for each other, as well as those on our coast.

Today is world mental health day.

It’s a day to recognise the importance of looking after our mental health, listening to people’s experiences and making sure every voice is heard. Sometimes, simply having someone who will listen, and stand alongside us can make a real difference.

Behind every National Coastwatch volunteer is a person with their own story, experiences and reasons for volunteering.

For some, Coastwatch provides a sense of purpose.

For others, it’s the friendships, the camaraderie and being part of a team.

Our volunteers spend their time looking out for people on the coast — keeping watch, raising the alarm when needed and offering reassurance to those who may need it.

“You’re loud and clear on Channel 65. Out.”

But that spirit of looking out doesn't stop when the watch ends.

Across our stations, watchkeepers look out for each other too. They share a conversation, offer support, notice when someone might need a little extra time or a listening ear, and make sure that no one feels they have to face things alone.

Because at National Coastwatch, looking out for people is what we do.

On the coast. In our stations. And within our Coastwatch Crew.

We look out for you.

We look out for each other.

10/10/2026

We have recently shared stories of some of our newly qualified watchkeepers and how they got involved with the NCI.

Meet Phil, one of our watchkeepers at NCI Froward Point.

Phil completed his first watch at NCI Froward Point on 28 January 2026, having previously been an NCI watchkeeper at Portland Bill before relocating back to Devon.

After retiring, Phil was keen to continue contributing to the maritime community by volunteering with the NCI. With his RYA qualifications and experience working with the Royal Navy in the maritime environment, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Although Phil has a strong maritime background, he still refreshed his knowledge by referring to reference books before his assessment. One of the tasks he particularly enjoys is phoning Falmouth Coastguard to confirm that Froward Point NCI is open at the start of each watch, and the routine of watchkeeping.

One of the most interesting things Phil has learnt since starting his watches is how dedicated and professional all the volunteers are. Phil finds the most rewarding part of volunteering is knowing that we are keeping watch and looking out for mariners, walkers and everyone enjoying the coast.

Phil's advice to anyone training to become a watchkeeper is simple:

“ The Training Officers and watchkeepers are there to help you through the training and assessment paperwork and to guide you every step.”

At Froward Point, Phil meets a wide range of visitors, from walkers and dog walkers to people who simply want to enjoy the fantastic views across Start Bay and the surrounding coastline.

He has met many visitors who have expressed an interest in volunteering with the NCI, and hopefully some will take the next step and join the team.

The NCI volunteers come from all kinds of backgrounds, ages, and experiences, but all share the same goal, keeping "eyes and ears" along the coast helping to keep people safe.

Thank you to all the NCI Froward Point volunteers for your hard work, commitment, and support.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering at Froward Point please get in touch by emailing – [email protected]

27/09/2026

NCI Froward Point is proud to recognise and thank our dedicated volunteers, Anne, who has recently received the 15 year NCI
Service Award Certificate, as well as being a long-standing volunteer, Anne is also our Station Training Officer Manager, helping to support and develop our team of watchkeepers.

Peter, who has also received a 10 year Service Award certificate is also the station’s Facility Manager. Making sure the buildings and utilities function properly.

Both awards were presented by the Station Manager, Andy, at the latest watchkeepers’ meeting.

Congratulations, Anne and Peter.

We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment, and this recognition is richly deserved.

22/09/2026

22/09/2026

What happens on a watch at NCI Froward Point?

During every watch, our volunteer watchkeepers keep a careful eye on the water, the coastline and the coastal paths around us. We log water based activities we can see, including boats, kayaks, and paddleboarders, while keeping an eye on the South West Coastal path for anyone who may need our assistance.

We are a source of local coastal information. Our watchkeepers can provide:

• VHF radio and AIS checks
• Information about local tidal conditions
• Current local weather information
• Local coastal information
• A listening watch on VHF Channel 65

Our call sign is FROWARD POINT NCI.

We also enjoy welcoming visitors to the lookout, answering questions, sharing information about the area and having a chat about what we can see from the stunning position on the clifftop.

The watching and listening service - eyes (and ears) along the coast, is operational during our opening hours, helping to support the safety of people on or near the water.

We are sharing a few photos of our volunteer watchkeepers, with binoculars at the ready, using the radio, updating logs, making repairs and constantly scanning the coast.

05/09/2026

NCI Froward Point and the Waverley trip.

Two of the NCI Froward Point watchkeepers had independently booked the same trip, completely unaware they would be sharing their day aboard the Waverley, the world’s last operational sea-going passenger-carrying paddle steamer. There were two more NCI watchkeepers on board, one from Torbay and the other from Exmouth.

The Waverley was travelling from Dartmouth to Torquay and onwards to Weymouth. From Weymouth she then cruised along the Jurassic Coast before returning to Weymouth. It was a memorable trip for both watchkeepers, with an extra special moment when the Waverley passed Froward Point.

The watchkeepers on duty at Froward Point dipped the ensign in salute, a traditional maritime gesture of respect. The Waverley’s Captain was delighted to see the salute and sent his thanks.

One of the watchkeepers grew up in Scotland and remembers travelling on the Waverley when she was still operating as a working ferry, and was delighted to be able to step aboard again, many years later.

The other watchkeeper was asked by Chris, the Waverley commentator to talk to the passengers about NCI Froward Point and the work of the National Coastwatch Institution, (and was pleased to accept the request).

The Waverley then passed Vigilance, the Brixham trawler built at Upham’s Yard in Brixham in 1926, which has recently undergone a complete restoration. Two other passengers travelling on the Waverley had played a part in that restoration, making sails for Vigilance and helping with repairs to her beam. The Waverley was accompanied by dolphins, fore and aft as she cruised across Lyme Bay.

The trip was not without incident as the photographs show. While coming alongside in Torquay, she was blown sideways towards the harbour wall. One of the Harbourmaster’s boats attempted to stop her swing and was crushed against the harbour wall. The boat’s skipper, very philosophically, said the Waverley was much more precious than his boat and fibreglass is easier to repair.

A memorable day of maritime connections, shared memories and incident all on a single voyage.

Thank you to watchkeeper Barry Brian for capturing some great photos.

03/09/2026

NCI Froward Point are pleased to stand alongside our colleagues across the National Coastwatch Institution in recognising the vital contribution of the Merchant Navy and all those who serve at sea.

On Merchant Navy Day, National Coastwatch is proud to recognise the professionalism, dedication and vital contribution of the Merchant Navy.

The Merchant Navy plays an essential role in supporting trade, transporting vital goods and keeping the UK connected with the rest of the world.

Much of this activity goes unnoticed by those on shore. But from National Coastwatch stations around the coast, our volunteer watchkeepers see the wide range of vessels and activities taking place on our waters every day, including the Merchant Navy vessels that play such an important role in our lives.

Today is an opportunity to recognise those who currently serve, as well as the generations of Merchant Navy personnel who have served before them.

Thank you for everything you do.