Bass Point Coastwatch Station was the Country's first Station to be opened by the NCI, after extensive refurbishment by volunteers, on 18th December 1994.
The opening was the direct result of the tragic loss of a local Cadgwith fishing boat and her 2-man crew. This happened in the sea area near the derelict Bass Point Coastguard Station, which had been closed in 1992.
For the first few weeks the Watchkeepers were without electricity, heating and toilet facilities. The visual watch, however, was in place from that time.
The Station was opened formally on 3rd February 1995 by the actress Jenny Agutter who has since become an honorary member of Bass Point.
Watchkeepers come from all walks of life and are all trained in-house to the standards of a Declared Facility Status Station.
Bass Point watches the sea area off The Lizard which has no traffic separation zones. Numerous merchant and commercial vessels ply the area and tend to take the shortest distance between two points. This takes them into the area used by the local fishing boats, with their dan buoys, crab pots etc. We are very conscious of the dangers of small fishing boats and large vessels in the same water.
We also have numerous yachts, power boats and diving boats to keep an eye open for. In the summer months many hundreds of people pass the Station every day on the adjacent South West Coast Path. We log those whom we consider vulnerable whilst maintaining the sea watch. In addition, we keep watch over rock climbers, members of the public fishing from rocks and coasteerers. This makes for a busy station in the summer months.
We enjoy a good rapport with HM Coastguard and the emergency services generally. Bass Point has been instrumental in saving lives over the years together with our sister Stations in the West Cornwall Region.