Station History

 

At a meeting at the Queens Hotel, Penzance in 2001 it was decided to try and open a NCI lookout in the derelict Gunnery Observation Tower at Chyandour.  The tower is not in a romantic position, being just above the railway station, but has excellent visibility over most of Mounts Bay, particularly Penzance Harbour and the popular windsurfing and kitesurfing beaches towards Marazion.

Kevin Sansom was appointed our first Station Manager.  Volunteer teams led by Dick Brown completed gutting the interior, "temporarily" repaired the roof, replaced the upstairs joists and floor, and installed double-glazed windows and new electrics.  Finally the tower was decorated inside and out with paints which had strange colours, but cost us nothing!  Watches were started early in 2002.

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