A voluntary organisation keeping a visual watch along UK shores

Lyme Bay - QAVS

Welcome to NCI Lyme Bay

Callsign LymebayNCI

We are now operating Hive Beach Lookout daily 1000-1800 Summer schedule. Hive Beach is at the eastern side of Lyme Bay with a good view towards Portland.

Charmouth Lookout (callsign CharmouthNCI) is operational Friday-Monday and Bank Holidays 1000-1800, plus Tuesday-Thursday 1100-1500. Charmouth is at the western end of Lyme Bay with a good view of Lyme Regis harbour.

NCI Lyme Bay is a recipient of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. If you are afloat within the bay or walking on the coastline, we are here to do radio checks, give weather and tide information and keep an eye out for you. If you are near either of our lookouts (Hive Beach and Charmouth) do call in. If we have an ongoing incident, we shall tell you but we like to see you and to know if you are just practising eskimo rolls/cliff launches/net retrievals/skier-recovery, we are very happy to be told that and keep an eye out.

Please note we gladly do radio checks and provide information on local conditions using CH65 - not Ch16, not Ch67.

Visitor Policy
Visitors are normally most welcome at the lookout although, when an incident is ongoing or when training is taking place, this may not always be convenient, and the duty watchkeeper may ask visitors to call back later.
Access

The road down to Hive Beach is narrow but straight and has pinchpoints giving priority to exiting traffic. Pedestrians and, occasionally, livestock may be on the road.

There are two NT carparks at Hive Beach and the closest one to us is the western, grassed, one but that is usally closed in Winter to allow the ground to recover. There is a track down from this carpark to the Lookout. The rerouted cliffpath goes through this carpark.

A few yards further away is the eastern, gravel-based, carpark. From here, you can walk below the café and up to the Lookout.

Local Hazards
Beware rabbit holes in the footpaths up to/down from the Lookout. The cliffs are very fragile and should not be climbed or sat under. Signs are in place warning of cliff falls.
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to JRCC Fareham
Current weather and sea conditions are available by telephone during watch hours
Defibrillator Available: 
No
Station Telephone: 
01308 897778
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
16
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: 
Lyme Bay NCI
Visual Horizon: 
8.15 nautical miles

Weather conditions at NCI Lyme Bay Station

Station Info

Station Address
Beach Road
Burton Bradstock
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 4RF
Station telephone number
01308 897778
Station email address

Contact the station by Email

Station contact
Judy Clarke
Station contact role
Station Manager
07786 354403
Station website

NCI Lyme Bay Living History

Summer opening
Open from: 
10:00
Open until: 
18:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Until: 
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Notes: 
During summer holiday season July and August, the watches are increased to 3 per day. AM 09:00 to 12:30, PM 12:30 to 16:00, Evening 16:00 to 19:30
Winter opening
Open from: 
10:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Until: 
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Notes: 
These are our 'regular conditions' hours. Open until 17.00 or dusk, whichever is first. Closed Christmas Day.
Location
Latitude: 
50°41.82’N
Longitude: 
002°43.38'W
OS Reference: 
SY 489 888
Station Elevation: 
36'/11 metres
what3words: 
bounding.debt.celebrate
Visual features of station
White rectangular building with narrow external balcony. Flagpole on eastern side. Hive café terrace is immediately to the east.
Other identifying features
Visitors have a choice of two NT carparks although the higher, grassed, western one that is closest to the Lookout is usually closed in winter.

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