The Team
There are about forty fully-trained volunteer watchkeepers at Polruan Station keeping the lookout operational every day of the year, except Christmas Day. There is also an active support group who do not carry out watches. In addition, there are usually several members under training at any one time.
How we keep Watch
When the station opened in 1998, it possessed a telescope, a chart, a pelorus, a telephone – and a kettle! Today a range of sophisticated technologies is available, enabling us to keep watch in a variety of ways in all weathers.
Visual Watch
Our core strength; sharp eyes are a requirement of every watchkeeper. Powerful tripod-mounted optics enable us to see shipping out to the horizon, about 19 miles away, while a x60 magnification spotting scope, lets us see every detail of a passing vessel, including the people aboard and whether or not they are wearing life jackets!
Radio Watch
A VHF scanner tuned to the marine frequencies, lets us hear vessels talking to each other within our sea area. In addition we have two VHF radio sets, one of which is tuned to the coastguard frequencies, while the other is tuned to channel 65, NCI's own duplex channel.
Radar Watch
The station is normally equipped with a roof-mounted radar scanner – useful in fog or poor visibility, enabling vessels’ locations, courses and speeds to be quickly plotted. The radar can also identify approaching rain squalls long before they reach us. At present, the unit is out of action but we have recieved a grant for a new unit that will be installed in the autumn 2021.
Real-time AIS Watch
The lookout hosts an AIS radio receiver for the Harbour Master and consequently has access to the worldwide AIS database. AIS – or Automatic Identification System – shows the position, course, speed and other information of vessels on a computer screen.
Webcam
A camera mounted in grounds of Furze Park covers the blind spot below the cliffs immediately below the lookout.
Weather Station
Our weather station transmits comprehensive meteorological data to our public website, updating approximately every 2 minutes. It is used regularly by local sailors, fishermen, walkers and the area’s National Trust Wardens.
Storm Warnings
The station has taken over from the Harbour Master, the job of managing a storm cone – one of the few remaining in the UK. During daylight, if a storm is forecast, the cone will be hoisted onto the signals mast. At night the station displays lights in a triangular pattern, indicating a Northerly or Southerly gale.
Joint Exercises
The watchkeeping team are always keen to hone their skills, and so the station holds at least one ‘live’ exercise each year. This usually involves the Coastguard, their rescue helicopter, Fowey inshore (ILB) lifeboat and all weather (ALB) lifeboat, the Cliff Rescue Team, and local Fire Brigade, all working together to rescue ‘casualties’ quickly, safely and efficiently. It’s an opportunity for watchkeepers to manage a realistic life and death situation, but without the actual life and death part. Occasions like this are not just exciting, they are very important for developing skills, learning lessons in a realistic but safe environment and, importantly, gaining experience of working with other services.