Needles - QAVS

Welcome to the NCI Needles station.

The NCI Needles is a recipient of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service

The station overlooks the iconic Needles and its lighthouse. Set over 400 feet up in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a SSSI the site is managed by National Trust. As well as overseeing the safety of all mariners we also get over 250,000 walkers a year & help maintain their safety. We are also a Safe Haven for walkers/runners/visitors

Visitor Policy
Visitors are not permitted as this is an active Coastguard communications facility.
Access

As the site is in use for Coastguard communications, access is restricted to NCI Personnel only.

Local Hazards
Cliff edges, Rough Ground and High Winds. Shingles Bank & Overfalls, Narrow channel, Varvassi wreck Strong tides.
Operational capability
This station has Declared Facility Status
This station reports to JRCC Fareham
Current local weather and sea conditions available by phone 01983 754231 or Ch 65 & VHFCh65 We also Broadcast on Ch65 at 0930,1230 & 1600 13.30
Defibrillator Available: 
Mounted externally available 24 x7 call number displayed on unit for instructions
Station Telephone: 
01983 754231 secondary line 01983 632442
Visual Watch: 
Yes
Radar Watch: 
No
NAVTEX: 
No
AIS Watch: 
Yes
DSC Watch: 
Yes
Radio: Listening watch on channels: 
16
67
73
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: 
Needles NCI
Other Watch Information: 
Safe Haven for walkers
Visual Horizon: 
21 Nautical Miles

Station Info

Station Address
The Needles Remote Radio Site
Upper Battery
West Highdown
Totland Bay
Isle of Wight
PO39 0JH
Station telephone number
01983 754231 secondary line 01983 632442
Station email address
Station contact
Charlotte Rayner
Station contact role
Station Manager
01983 754231
Station website
Summer opening
Open from: 
08:00
Open until: 
18:00
Days: 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Every Day
From: 
Monday, April 10, 2023
Until: 
Monday, October 30, 2023
Winter opening
Open from: 
08:30
Open until: 
16:30
Days: 
Every Day
From: 
Monday, September 12, 2022
Until: 
Monday, April 10, 2023
Location
Latitude: 
50°39.71’N
Longitude: 
001°34.72’W
OS Reference: 
SZ 298 848
Station Elevation: 
125/410
what3words: 
awoken.butchers.landscape
Visual features of station
The station is a two storey purpose-built ex-Coastguard lookout.

About

Currently almost 60 National Coastwatch stations are operational and manned by over 2600 volunteer watchkeepers around the British Isles from Fleetwood in the North West, through Wales, to the South and East of England to Filey in North Yorkshire. 

National Coastwatch watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears along the coast, monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. They are trained to deal with emergencies offering a variety of skills and experience, and full training by the National Coastwatch ensures that high standards are met.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The words National Coastwatch Institution and Eyes Along the Coast and the NCI logos are Registered Trademarks of NCI.

Contact


General enquiries
0300 111 1202

Media enquiries
0845 460 1202


[email protected]


17 Dean Street, Liskeard,
Cornwall, PL14 4AB