What we do

Sheringham Coastwatch, on the North Norfolk coast, is one of a number of Coastal Surveillance Stations set up to keep a visual and radio watch around the coast of Great Britain. It is a member of THE SEA SAFETY GROUP UK which is an association set up to promote safety at sea.

Reporting directly to Her Majesty’s Coastguard, Sheringham Coastwatch helps ensure the safety of mariners and everyone who uses the beaches and cliff walks in the Sheringham area and provides routine and emergency assistance during search and rescue incidents to HM Coastguard as and when requested.

Our role

  • Keep a visual watch on the coastal areas around the lookout

  • Keep a radar watch within 15 miles of the lookout

  • Monitor international distress channels (VHF channels 16 & 70)

  • Watch over and assist divers operating in the area

  • Monitor local weather conditions and provide weather reports

  • Assist the general public and relevant authorities

  • Report incidents and emergencies to HM Coastguard

  • Cooperate with HM Coastguard search and rescue

 

Logging activity

Our volunteers log all commercial shipping, pleasure craft and other vessels observed from the watch tower, recording key details including the time of the observation, type of vessel, its name and number, the colour of its hull and superstructure, its true bearing and heading, and its speed and distance from the watch tower.

We also record the weather conditions on a regular basis including wind direction and force, sea state, visibility, cloud cover and barometric pressure.

All of the information logged is made available to HM Coastguard to support with investigations into incidents and emergencies.

 

How we operate

Sheringham Coastwatch is a totally self financing charitable organisation working to guidelines agreed nationally with HM Coastguard.

As a charity , the Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the organisation is run effectively and efficiently. The Trustees include representatives elected by the membership as a whole.

Our Station Manager and two deputies run the station on a day to day basis.