Exmouth National Coastwatch Institution is back on duty. After an enforced suspension of duties due to Covid-19, the volunteer watchkeepers of the Queen’s Drive station resumed their seven-day-a-week service last Saturday (16 May).
‘With the government’s easing of restrictions, the number of water and beach users is increasing,’ says Station Manager Ivor Jones. ‘We are responding to the need for safety by reinstating our watches.
‘To safeguard the wellbeing of our watchkeepers, we have introduced safety protocols, that are, in turn, enabling us to provide our vital service to the public. We are particularly grateful to our kind sponsors at The Esplanade branch of Budgens for supplying us with 200 pairs of protective gloves.’
Watches run from 09.00 to 18.00.
As well as keeping visual watch on the waters and beach of Exmouth seafront, watchkeepers are available to give mariners radio checks on the NCI’s dedicated Channel 65. The station also broadcasts inshore weather bulletins at 09:20, 12:20 and 16:20 on Channel 65.
Due to health considerations, the lookout is currently closed to visitors.