Felixstowe

Welcome to NCI Felixstowe lookout station


At NCI Felixstowe, we cover nearly 4 miles of coastline, all of Felixstowe's beaches and the coastal waters.  Uniquely, Felixstowe is not only a resort, but also home the the UK's largest contaianer port. With the River Deben to the north and Rivers Orwell and Stour to the south, the summer sees a huge influx of leisure craft from cabin cruisers and yachts to kayaks, paddleboarders and swimmers.  In front of the lookout is the deepwater navigation channel into the haven ports, which calls for some unique challenges to vessels needing to cross this.

With over 70 watchkeepers, all highly trained, we are the Eyes and Ears along the coast, providing a valuable watch for incidents.  We report to Humber and Dover Coaastguard and can very quickly identify dangers on our shores and out to sea.  Working with both HM Coastguard and RNLI we keep the area very safe for beach and water users.

Visitor Policy
If you would like to visit during watch hours please note that we are required to keep the main access door locked so call 01394 802143 when our flag is flying (that means we're in!) and we'll meet you at the door. Visits outside watch hours must be by prior arrangement with the Station Manager on 07305 758020. (Please note, if we are incident working, visitors will be asked to leave the lookout)
Access

Our lookout is an ex-Coastguard station located on top of Martello Tower P on Felixstowe's south seafront. Access on foot is from the seafront promenade. Access by car is via Old Fort Road.  Please note there is limited parking at the tower.  Access into the building in via wooden staircase and up to the lookout via a steep spiral stone staircase, not suitable for the less abled.

Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to MRCC Dover
Current weather and sea observations are available by telephone and Channel 65 during watch hours. Please note that while we keep a DSC watch we are not able to do a DSC check.
Defibrillator Available: 
No
Station Telephone: 
01394 802143
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
Yes
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
CCTV Watch: 
Overlooking the beach North of Cobbold's Point and the entrance to the River Deben. New CCTV camera located at Landguard Point, Nov 22.
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
16
67
71
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: 
NCI Felixstowe
Visual Horizon: 
10.2 nautical miles.
Radar Horizon: 
20 nautical miles

www.coastwatch-felixstowe.co.uk/new/webcams.php

Station Info

Station Address
NCI Lookout, Martello Tower P
Wireless Green
Old Fort Road
Felixstowe
Suffolk
IP11 2EF
Station telephone number
01394 802143
Station email address
Station contact
Nick Barrett White
Station contact role
Station Manager
07305 758020
Station website
Summer opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Until: 
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Notes: 
From 22nd July 2024 to 2nd September 2024, we will be open extended hours until 1900 for school holidays
Winter opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
16:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Until: 
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Notes: 
Between 31/3/24 and 21/7/24 we will be open 0900 until 1700 Between 1/9/24 and 26/10/24 we will be open 0900 until 1700
Location
Latitude: 
51°56.94'N
Longitude: 
001°20.10'E
OS Reference: 
TM 29275 33081
Station Elevation: 
10.35 metres/34 ft
what3words: 
///daredevil.beaks.maple
Visual features of station
The lookout is on top of an historic Martello Tower, Tower P and has a flagstaff.