NCI Froward Point is a National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout station at Inner Froward Point, [1] [2] at the easterly side of the mouth of the River Dart, two miles by coastal path from Kingswear in Devon, England. Its twin duties are to maintain a daylight watch over the local coastal area and the South West Coast Path on whose route it lies. [3] [4] 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. [5]
The area of operation has a mixed boating population of a fishing fleet, recreational yachtsmen, yacht racing fleets, small commercial passenger vessels, kayaks, canoes, military vessels, dinghy racing fleets, racing gigs, small boats and inflatables. Additionally, there are regular visits to the River Dart by passenger cruise liners. [6] 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 can alert Falmouth Coastguard both to potential incidents and incidents in progress. NCI Froward Point works closely with HM Coastguard at Brixham, and the Dart Lifeboat, and is accredited with Declared Facility Status, [7] [8] [9] which allows full participation on UK Search and Rescue incidents.
The Froward Point lookout became operational in July 2005, [10] [11] with planning from 2002. [12] Two buildings of the Brownstone Battery complex, a World War II battery, [13] are rented from the National Trust. As a part of the NCI UK registered charity, [14] NCI Froward point is entirely supported by charitable donations. [15] [16] [17]
NCI Froward Point was featured in the ITV Southwest Regional Evening News programme on 14 February 2007 as a recognisable point on a featured walk.
The station maintains a listening watch using fixed and handheld Marine VHF radios on channels 0, 16 and 67, unless authorised to transmit by the Coastguard on a per-incident basis (pre 1 October 2014), [18] and channel 65 for regular two-way traffic (post 1 October 2014). [19] A pair of mounted telescopes, binoculars, a radar set and a weather station are present. [20] The weather station updates the lookout's website with weather data regularly via a microwave link to a broadband connection as a real-time service to seafarers. A webcam, updating images at intervals, provides a visual check on sea state and weather. [21] 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 the Brownstone Battery itself. [22] [23]
When not monitoring the surrounding area for people at risk, watch keepers record sightings of seals, [24] [25] cetaceans and other wildlife for relevant wildlife organisations.
NCI Froward Point has been involved in the following incidents:
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the western bank of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes. It lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and South Hams district, and had a population of 5,512 in 2001, reducing to 5,064 at the 2011 census. There are two electoral wards in the Dartmouth area. Their combined population at the above census was 6,822.
Brixham is a coastal town and civil parish in the borough of Torbay in the county of Devon, in the south-west of England. As of the 2021 census, Brixham had a population of 16,825. It is one of the main three centres of the borough, along with Paignton and Torquay.
Torbay is unitary authority with a borough status in the ceremonial county of Devon, England. It is governed by Torbay Council, based in the town of Torquay. The borough also includes the towns of Paignton and Brixham. The borough consists of 62.87 square kilometres (24.27 sq mi) of land around the east-facing Tor Bay, part of Lyme Bay on the English Channel. A popular tourist destination, Torbay's sandy beaches, mild climate and recreational and leisure attractions have given rise to its nickname of the "English Riviera".
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England, that rises high on Dartmoor and flows for 75 kilometres (47 mi) to the sea at Dartmouth.
The Dartmouth Steam Railway, formerly known as the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, is a 6.7-mile (10.8 km) heritage railway on the former Great Western Railway branch line between Paignton and Kingswear in Devon, England. Much of the railway's business is from summer tourists from the resorts of Torbay, who travel to Kingswear, where the Dartmouth Passenger Ferry takes them across the River Dart to Dartmouth.
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.
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. It lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has a population of 1,332, reducing to 1,217 at the 2011 census.
Churston railway station is on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, a heritage railway in Torbay, Devon, England. It is situated beside the main road to Brixham and close to the villages of Churston Ferrers and Galmpton. There has been no scheduled service at the station since 2020.
The Dartmouth and Torbay Railway was a broad gauge railway linking the South Devon Railway branch at Torquay with Kingswear in Devon, England. It was operated from the outset by the South Devon Railway.
Gwennap Head is a headland on the south coast of the Penwith peninsula, Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is within the parish of St Levan and approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Land's End, and less than 1 mile (1.6 km) north-west of Porthgwarra, the nearest village. The area of Gwennap Head is designated as part of the Penwith Heritage Coast and also designated as part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The South West Coast Path closely follows the coastline around the headland.
The Kingswear Regatta was held in August 2006 in Kingswear, Devon, England, for the first time in 100 years, and has been celebrated each year since apart from 2020.
Brixham Battery and Battery Gardens are an open space on the sea shore in Brixham, Devon at grid reference SX920569. They are a traditional observation point for Brixham trawler races, both past and present.
River Link is a ferry, cruise boat, and bus operator, based in Devon, England. The company is owned by Dart Valley Railway plc, who also own and operate the Dartmouth Steam Railway.
The River Dart Steamboat Co Ltd (RDSC) and its predecessors, the Dartmouth Steam Packet Company and the Dartmouth and Torbay Steam Packet Company, were the major ferry and excursion boat operators on the River Dart in South Devon for 120 years, until the company's demise in 1976. The company was famous for its distinctive paddle steamers, which were a familiar sight on the river until the late 1960s.
RML 497 is a former Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch from World War II. She was named Western Lady III on her entry to civilian service, as a passenger motor vessel for Western Lady Ferry Service. From 2009 to 2015, she operated as The Fairmile for Greenway Ferry on their day cruise route from Torquay and Brixham to Dartmouth and Greenway. In May 2013, she was returned to her original wartime appearance. Torbay's "ferry wars" forced her removal from service, and in December 2015, RML 497 was acquired by the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
Dart Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) 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. It operates a D class (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Salcombe, Devon in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized, in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives, and in 1983 with no loss of life. Since 2008 the station has operated a Tamar-class all weather boat (ALB) and an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Torbay Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Brixham, Devon in England. Brixham Lifeboat Station was opened in 1866 but since 1924 has been known as 'Torbay'. Since 2005 it has operated a Severn-class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) together with a D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Dartmouth Harbour is a natural port located in Dartmouth, Devon, England. It is situated at the mouth of the River Dart on the English Channel. Bayard's Cove Fort is a small fort, which was built to defend the harbour's entrance. The crafts which dock at the port are mainly local fishing vessels, naval ships and luxury yachts; warships routinely visit the harbour. The River Dart is navigable from Dartmouth to the old weir location at Totnes.
NCI Portland Bill is a National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout station on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. The station is situated 50 metres above sea level on the cliff edge, half a mile north of the tip of Portland Bill. It is located close to the Old Higher Lighthouse.
Bob Tozer, Station Manager reported: I have some 70 watch keepers, all volunteers working 'daylight' hours each day of the year. Our normal day in the winter is from 1000 to 1600 and in the summer form 0900 to 17400. During June, July, August and September we try to cover as many evenings as possible. i.e. from 1700 to 2000. In all some 2400hrs of time watch keeping.
The route takes the walker through the more modern and extensive World War Two complex at Froward Point.
"You cannot see Berry Head from Froward Point or Daddyhole Plain, there's this horrible gap," [Beldham] said at the recent Brixham Community Partnership meeting.[ permanent dead link ]
The assessment took place over a whole day when members of the national DFS team examined various documentation including station records, training manuals and procedures, and also set tasks for five watch keepers, this being 10% of the total number qualified at the present time.[ dead link ]
All watch keepers are trained to a high standard and stations will be expected to achieve Declared Facility Status (DFS) within 18 months of opening.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: location (link)...the lookout station can continue to keep its status as a fully fledged part of the integrated search and rescue services and keeps is 'declared facility status'
New National Coastwatch Institution lookout on former gun battery site at Froward Point
Mike Povey has been station manager at the lookout, east of the Dart estuary, since it was established in 2005. Mr Povey said in his final speech to National Coastwatch Institution members at the Royal Dart Yacht Club that starting up the Froward Point station has been a massive job.
2002: The desirability of a Coastwatch station at Froward Point is established, and the WW2 Battery Observation Post identified as a suitable base. Discussions with the National Trust start.... July 2005: First logged watch.
The National Coastwatch Institute station is situated at Brownstone Battery. Visitors are welcome to pop-in and say hello at the lookout and to peruse the display house opposite.
Volunteer watchkeepers at Froward Point, Kingswear, have benefited from a £400 donation from the village's annual regatta.... Funded entirely by voluntary contributions, Forward Point is sited to the east of the Dart estuary — about 45 minutes' walk from Kingswear.[ permanent dead link ]
Saturday March 27th 2010: Charity concert in aid of Froward point (Kingswear) coastwatch station.(sic)
Kingswear Regatta made one of the first major donations to the Dartmouth Inshore Lifeboat Appeal in 2002 – and have subsequently supported other local charities including Devon Air Ambulance, the Froward Point Coast Watch project, Kingswear Rowing Club, Cancer Research, The Friends of St Thomas' Church Kingswear, Dart Sailability, Kingswear Community Primary School, Kingswear Village Hall and the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. All of these are local charities and this is the heart of this local regatta's ethos.
The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookouts at Prawle Point and Froward Point maintain a visual and listening watch on VHF channel 16 during daylight hours.
From 1 October, the NCI will be broadcasting on VHF Channel 65, offering support to seafaring vessels of all sizes
The National Coastwatch weather station at Froward Point near Kingswear reported gusts of up to 75mph at around 10am, with constant winds of 'strong gale' force according to the Beaufort Scale, and gusts reaching 'violent storm'.
National Coastwatch Institution's station at Froward Point looking towards Start Bay and Stoke Fleming Live weather and webcam
A National Coastwatch Institute station is now situated at the Battery and has fine views across Start Bay. Visitors are welcome to pop in and say hello at the lookout and to peruse the display in the building opposite.
The National Coastwatch Institution has a visitor centre here with local information. This is also where the short cut past the Daymark arrives at the coast.
Froward Point is popular for its coastal walk. It has spectacular views of the Mewstone (seen in the distance) which seals use as a haul-out.
The Mew Stone, visible off the shore from Brownstone Battery, is a rich site for seabirds, and is home to a large seabird colony. The rocky island is also the most easterly 'haul-out' for grey seals in the English Channel.
Berry Head Coastguard, Fishing Vessel Our Joel and Yacht Clarrissa proceeded and Froward Point National Coastwatch made observation, to report of Flashing Light from Red Sailed Yacht taking water off St Mary's Bay, Berry Head. Junk-rigged Yacht STAY FREE responded safe and well heading into the River Dart.
Dave Scullion, Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager says: 'This man was very lucky as the impact had caused him to lose consciousness, he had lost his helmet and his lifejacket had been damaged and had the effect of pushing him under. He had very quickly become hypothermic and was transferred by the lifeboat to the hospital at Dartmouth for treatment.'
The circling boat was observed by the volunteers at the National Coastwatch lookout at Froward Point who pinpointed the casualty some one hundred metres from his boat and alerted the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard called out the ILB and also called all vessels in the Dartmouth area. The Fishing boat Deborah Jane responded and had just picked up the casualty as the ILB arrived. A crewman from the ILB was placed on the Catamaran and she and the casualty were brought back to port. The casualty was transferred to Dartmouth Hospital.
The Coastguard requested attendance to a 19ft Dory with 5 on board, that had run out of fuel at the Homestone and had let off flares. The dive-boat Falcon, skippered by Tony Hoile, an ex DLA, reached the boat first and took them in tow. The incident was observed and monitored by the National Coastwatch team at Froward point.
The cutter, a two-masted replica from Lord Nelson's famous ship HMS Victory and with seven people on board, came within 20 feet of disaster. It was being driven on to the Mew Stone rock off Froward Point after it was caught out by heavy seas and strong winds. Froward Point National Coastwatch Institution's lookout, which overlooks the mouth of the River Dart, spotted the vessel in danger and raised the alarm around 11am
The National Coastwatch observers at Froward Point had been observing a motor launch drifting south of the Mewstone for 20 minutes without any sign of a crew. They informed the Coastguard who requested the ILB to launch to investigate.
The National Coastwatch team at Froward Point reported that a dinghy with 3 adults and 2 children on board was having difficulty leaving Newfoundland Cove due to the onshore wind and their engine would not start.
During the afternoon of Saturday 20 July 2013, on a fine day with a moderate easterly wind, the duty watchkeepers at Froward Point were contacted by their colleagues at Prawle Point and asked to keep a look out for a dory with a single person on board which they had lost sight of in the tide race off Start Point, and had presumed to be in difficulty.