A voluntary organisation keeping a visual watch along UK shores

Porthcawl

Welcome to NCI Porthcawl

Situated in the South Wales coastal resort of Porthcawl at the eastern end of the Esplanade, Porthcawl National Coastwatch Station is located in the old Victorian Pilot Lookout Tower built in 1870, and is a Grade 2 listed building, adjacent to the RNLI Station. We overlook the Bristol Channel almost opposite Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon, some 15+ miles away. Our field of view stretches east up to Nash Point on the Welsh side of the Channel, over to Minehead and down to Ilfracombe in the west. The lookout has been refurbished with grant funding from the Townscape Heritage Initiative, by Bridgend County Borough Council and the full support of Porthcawl Town Council. The lookout was in use during both the First and Second World Wars and has been used for various activities between those conflicts up until the 1960’s.

Porthcawl is a popular destination all year round, with visitors from all over the world for the surfing and the ‘Elvis’ Festival. The harbour has recently been refurbished with lock gates and moorings for some 70 boats, ensuring an increase in marine traffic. There are also several beaches in view of the lookout. The increase in coastal leisure users from swimmers, surfers, kitesurfers, walkers and fishermen, plus the high tidal ranges in the Bristol Channel, means that the maritime rescue and emergency services are kept busy.

Visitor Policy
At the present time the lookout is open every day - and visitors would normally be most welcome – although when an incident is on-going this may not always be convenient and the duty watchkeepers may ask that visitors call back later. You may even see a lifeboat launch and recovery at this time, from just behind the lookout.
Access

Access to the lookout is via the Esplanade. With a plentiful mix of free and paid parking, coffee shops, restaurants and other amenities and the Town Centre adjacent to the Esplanade, all visitors can easily access most areas, including the lookout.

Local Hazards
The approaches to Porthcawl are an area that requires extreme caution with Skar Weather Sands to the west and Nash sands running up channel, in closer proximity are the Tusker and Fairy Rocks.
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to MRCC Milford Haven
Current local weather, sea conditions ,tides and marina opening times are broadcast on channel 65 at 9.30am, 1.30pm and on evening watches at 5.30pm , you can also call us on CH 65 or contact us via telephone for the latest local conditions.
Defibrillator Available: 
No
Station Telephone: 
01656 782936
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
CCTV Watch: 
Yes 5 Camera's covering Rest Bay, Sandy / Trecco Bay / Newton Bay &Ogmore River Mouth
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
16
67
Radio: Channels in use (call direct not via ch 16): 
M2 (ch 80)
65
Radio: Channel 00: 
Listening watch and ready to transmit as authorised by Coastguard
Station Call Sign: 
Porthcawl NCI
Other Watch Information: 
This Station Operates an Open Water Swimmer Warning to boat users in the area. If you see the Flags R over Y flying from the masthead of the station. It means BEWARE open water swimmers are in the area or are in transit to other beaches.
Visual Horizon: 
6+ NM
Radar Horizon: 
NA

Station Info

Station Address
The Old Look Out Tower
Eastern Promenade
Porthcawl
Bridgend
CF36 3YR
Station telephone number
01656 782936
Station email address

porthcawl@nci.org.uk

Station contact
Phil Styles
Station contact role
Station Manager
07854046094
Station website

NCI Porthcawl Living History

Summer opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
21:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Until: 
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Notes: 
Summer opening times coincide with British Summer Time (BST)
Winter opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Until: 
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Notes: 
Hours may flex to maximise daylight hours
Location
Latitude: 
51°28.43'N
Longitude: 
003°42.12'W
OS Reference: 
SS 819 764
Station Elevation: 
13’ (4 metres)
what3words: 
breached.videos.prettiest
Visual features of station
A round white tower with black roof and mast with a two-level array of aerials and twin arm flagpole to one side. A set of black stairs with platform to allow access to the watchroom on the landward side of the tower.

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