A voluntary organisation keeping a visual watch along UK shores

Polruan - QAVS


Welcome to the NCI Polruan station. 

NCI Polruan is a recipient of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Situated over 240 feet up on St. Saviour’s Hill, Polruan NCI Station overlooks a sea area from Lizard Point in the West to the Eddystone Light in the East, as well as having a commanding view over Fowey harbour. This is an area of outstanding Natural Beauty and the spectacular views are enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.

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

The station stands next to the ruins of St Saviours above the St Saviour's Hill Car Park in Polruan. Access is via the footpath adjacent to the public toilets at the entrance to the car park. The footpath is not too steep and there is a hand rail. At the top the surface is grass and this can be slippery when wet.

Local Hazards
The Cannis Rocks located at 50º 18.8'N 004º 40.0'W marked by a South Cardinal Buoy. The Gwineas 50º 14.6' N 004º 45.6'W, marked by an East Cardinal Buoy.
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to MRCC Falmouth
Current weather and sea conditions are available by telephone and Ch65 during watch hours
Defibrillator Available: 
No
Station Telephone: 
01726 254057
Fax: 
N/A
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
CCTV Watch: 
A webcam to the SW and a CCTV unit covering blind spot below the cliff
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
06
09
10
12
16
67
74
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: 
Polruan NCI
Visual Horizon: 
Approximately 17 Nautical Miles
Radar Horizon: 
Approximately 25 Nautical Miles

Weather Conditions at NCI Polruan

Station Webcam

Station Info

Station Address
The Old Coastguard Lookout
St Saviours Hill
Polruan
Fowey
Cornwall
PL23 1PR
Station telephone number
01726 254057
Station email address

Contact the station by Email

Station contact
Ray Rigg
Station contact role
Station Manager
07956 286270
Station website

NCI Polruan Living History

 

Summer opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Monday, April 1, 2024
Until: 
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Notes: 
The station closes at dusk if it is earlier than the stated closing time. NB due to staffing shortages watches after 1700 are limited to Friday and Saturday, when they finish at 1930.
Winter opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Monday, October 2, 2023
Until: 
Monday, April 1, 2024
Notes: 
The station closes at dusk if it is earlier than the stated closing time. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Location
Latitude: 
50 19.58'N
Longitude: 
004’38.05'W
OS Reference: 
SX 125 508
Station Elevation: 
246' (75m) above sea level
what3words: 
Cemented.prepped.bronzer
Visual features of station
The lookout is a one storey building painted white it has a signals mast from which flags and a gale warning cone are flown. The signal mast also has gale warning lights for use in bad visibility and at night. When the cone is pointed upwards bad weather is expected from the north, when pointed downwards it is expected from the south. The lights mimic the cone as a north or south pointing triangle.
Other identifying features
Orange Windsock and signals mast

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