Southend

Welcome to NCI Southend lookout station

The station is within the boundary of the Ministry of Defence site at Shoeburyness, clearly visible from East Beach and gives us a commanding view over the Thames Estuary.

Visitor Policy
Visitors are possible, but only by prior arrangement with the station manager.
Access

Regular access requires all watchkeepers to hold a security clearance, issued by QinetiQ, the site managers.

Local Hazards
Shoebury Boom extending from the shore for a distance of 1.25 miles. This presents a serious hazard for kite and board sailors when the wind is from South through to SW. and the tide is ebbing. Sandbanks flood as tide comes in leaving possibility of trapping people walking on the sand.
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to MRCC Dover
Current weather and sea conditions are available by telephone during watch hours or via Weatherlink
Defibrillator Available: 
No
Station Telephone: 
01702 593152
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
CCTV Watch: 
No
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
14
16
67
68
69
73
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: 
Southend NCI
Visual Horizon: 
The area covered is from bearing 045° through South to 245°.

Station Info

Station Address
NCI Southend "Use Primary Contact Address for Mail"
c/o The Station Manager,
180, Hadleigh Road,
Leigh-on-Sea.
Essex.
SS9 2LP
Station telephone number
01702 593152
Station email address
Station contact
Station contact role
Station Manager
07557 378715
Station website
Summer opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
18:00
Days: 
Monday
Saturday
Sunday
From: 
Monday, July 1, 2024
Until: 
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Notes: 
Summer hours operate during July and August including Bank Holidays.
Winter opening
Open from: 
09:00
Open until: 
17:00
Days: 
Monday
Saturday
Sunday
From: 
Monday, January 1, 2024
Until: 
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Notes: 
Winter opening covers January to end June then September through to end December. Open all Bank Holidays. Closed on Christmas Day.
Location
Latitude: 
51°31.99'N
Longitude: 
000°48.33'E
OS Reference: 
TQ 9466 8533
Station Elevation: 
20 feet/6 meters
what3words: 
removable.mysteries.overture
Visual features of station
The lookout is a pair of white portable cabins with blue facia stacked one above the other for improved viewing over the Thames and Medway estuaries.
Other identifying features
Large sign giving Station contact details. Tide Time Board displayed when Station is open is open.