Watchkeeper

National Coastwatch Institution

PORTLAND BILL

BECOMING A WATCHKEEPER

Portland Bill is manned 07.00 - 19.00 by a team of fully trained and dedicated volunteers who keep a daylight watch up to 365 days per year. Portland Bill is equipped with telescopes, radar, telephone and weather instrumentation as well as up to date charts. Close contact with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) ensures Declared Facility Status is observed.

Watchkeepers come from all walks of life and offer a wide range of skills and experience. Full training ensures that all volunteers reach the high standard expected by the NCI and MCA. Regular assessments take place and retraining programmes are held to maintain standards, and to keep watchkeepers up to date with latest legislation or improved operational procedures.

Watchkeepers are the eyes and ears along the coast, keeping a visual watch, monitoring radio channels, using radar and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. Watchkeepers remain vigilant at all times. Surveillance work is mainly routine but NCI Volunteers are trained to act in an emergency, to report to the HM Coast Guard at Weymouth and coordinate with the Search and Rescue ( SAR ) Services.

All shipping, both Commercial and pleasure, is monitored from the lookout. Other vulnerable activities such as walkers and climbers etc are also closely observed on shore. Watchkeepers provide a vital link with all Emergency services and provide an emergency contact point on land to both sea and shore users. Qualified Watchkeepers are expected to do at least 4 watches per month. Regular assessments take place and retraining programmes are held to maintain standards.

How can You help us?

We are always looking for new volunteers so if you have some boating experience or navigational skills or would just like to help us help others please get in touch. We have various ways of getting in contact just click the Feedback page.

Why not Join our Friends Of Portland Coast Watch at a payment of £10 per annum (friends will get a Membership Card and are welcome to visit our Portland Bill at anytime). For further information please refer to our Feedback form or email at friends@nci-portlandbill.org.uk.