A voluntary organisation keeping a visual watch along UK shores

Newhaven - KAVS


Welcome to NCI Newhaven KAVS

NCI Newhaven is a recipient of the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
The station was founded in 2004, so 2024 marks 20 years of continuous community service without a single day of watchkeeping missed, except during the initial compulsory eight-week Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

NCI Newhaven lookout is built on the cliff top on Castle Hill 175 feet above sea level. It provides a panoramic view of Seaford Bay from Newhaven Harbour entrance to Seaford Head eastwards and to the ocean off Brighton westwards as well as to seaward into the shipping lanes of the English Channel. On a clear day, a total exceeding 400 square miles can be observed. There is very good coverage for VHF radio reception.

The lookout at Newhaven was built in the early 1960s to replace a small lookout inside Newhaven Fort.

VHF radio: channel 65

The NCI holds a national licence issued by OFCOM for the exclusive use of VHF Channel 65. This dedicated channel has been granted to NCI with strong support from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCGA). Channel 65 facilitates communications between our lookout and seafarers on a variety of routine matters. Stations can respond to requests from passing, as well as local, sailing craft and fishing vessels for radio checks in addition to providing actual weather and sea state conditions. They can also provide, on request, information on a range of local facilities and hazards. Call NCI Newhaven on VHF channel 65. Our call sign is Newhaven NCI.

Visitor Policy
Visitors are normally most welcome at the lookout although, when an incident is ongoing, the duty watchkeeper may ask visitors to call back later. There is a large number of stairs to climb to the lookout floor and potential visitors should be aware of this.
Access

Vehicular access is restricted to those on watch. Visitors should note that there are steep stairs to ascend in order to gain access to the lookout. There is no alternative access for those with mobility issues.

Local Hazards
The station stands within the Castle Hill Nature Reserve above Newhaven Fort. Vehicular access is not normally available to non-watchkeepers. If you need to arrange access, please call the station on 01273 516464 or the Station Manager, Mick Carter, on 07802 878885.
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. Our east and west facing webcams may also be accessed 24 hours a day. VHF channel 65 may also be used. Our call sign is Newhaven NCI.
Defibrillator Available: 
Mounted internally available when lookout is open
Station Telephone: 
01273 516464
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
CCTV Watch: 
Four cameras covering blind spots and to increase safety monitoring.
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
12
16
67
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: 
Newhaven NCI
Visual Horizon: 
14 nautical miles
Radar Horizon: 
20+ nautical miles

Station Info

Station Address
Old Coastguard Lookout
Castle Hill
Newhaven
NB No land mail will reach the lookout. Please use email contact.
Station telephone number
01273 516464
Station email address

Contact Station by Email

Station contact
Mick Carter
Station contact role
Station Manager
07802 878885
Station website

NCI Newhaven Living History

Summer opening
Open from: 
08:00
Open until: 
20:00
Days: 
Every Day
Notes: 
Summer hours commence at the start of BST. In summer (BST) the station closes at 2000 hrs or sunset, whichever is sooner.
Winter opening
Open from: 
08:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Every Day
Notes: 
Winter hours commence at the end of BST. In winter (UTC) the station closes at 1700 or sunset, whichever is sooner.
Location
Latitude: 
50°46.95'N
Longitude: 
000°03.00'E
OS Reference: 
TQ 446 001
Station Elevation: 
175’/53m
what3words: 
figs.rocket.messaging
Visual features of station
The lookout stands on the cliff top at Castle Hill beside Newhaven Fort and next to a prominent communications mast.

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