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The Exmouth Station of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) is based in the Tower above the Harbour View Cafe on Exmouth sea front - there must have been a watch kept from the site for some years because a Coastguard lookout is designated for the very same spot on the Admiralty Chart of 1827.

It opened on 7 June, 1998, and its volunteers have maintained visual watches every weekend since then. Exmouth is unique in that it has a tidal range of up to 4.2 metres that goes through the narrow Exe Channel in front of the beach. The operators in the Tower must keep track of small boats, jet-skis, windsurfers, bathers, dinghys and canoes, as well as more distant ocean-going traffic.

The volunteers meet once a month when HM Customs and Excise Drug Unit and water sports experts come to advise on all aspects of their sport. Other educational topics have included weather, use of VHF (most of our watchkeepers are now VHF certified), navigation, chartwork, wildlife and the environment.

All new volunteers spend time with experienced watchkeepers and are not asked to take any responsibility until absolutely confident to do so. Anyone over 18 can join.

Last year, pupils in the senior school were visited by Station Manager, Steve Wills, and volunteer Roger Vernon for a safety talk. They explained to the Year 7 and 8s how to use the waterways safely and the hazards they need to look out for when on or in the water and what to do in an emergency. We plan to hold more of these sessions during the coming year as we feel that they provide a very valuable service.

NCI is a registered charity number 1045645 and welcomes any donations to support its operational costs.

Contact them by email on NCIexmouth@swills.co.uk or by telephone on (01395) 269163 or (01395) 222492 (Lookout)