News from Prawle Point – 2010

For last year's events and incidents click 2009
For 2008 events and incidents click 2008

28.8.10
After the RIB Whistler, with 8 people on board, reported engine failure to Brixham Coastguard, the Prawle Point watchkeeper advised the Coastguard that the RIB was in sight and gave details of craft in the vicinity able to assist. One of these, another RIB, took Whistler in tow and the watchkeeper provided the Coastguard with regular updates until the casualty was towed into Salcombe.

25.8.10
Prawle Point watchkeepers were asked by Brixham Coastguard to keep a look out for the motor cruiser Voodoo which had reported having one engine disabled. However, because of poor visibility Voodoo could not be seen and there was no radar trace. After reporting hearing Voodoo on VHF Channel 16 without reply from the Coastguard, the watchkeepers were asked to call her up on Channel 16. Three calls were made without a response but a nearby yacht was able to establish radio comms. with Voodoo and report that she was making for Torquay.

22 .8.10
After Brixham Coastguard received a VHF Channel 16 Yacht Dorwynd reporting partial engine failure, the Coastguard contacted the Prawle Point watchkeeper who was able to confirm Dorwynd’s position and provide updates when the Salcombe Harbour Launch came out to take her in tow.

08.08.10
Prawle Point watchkeepers relayed to Brixham Coastguard a VHF radio call from motor cruiser Challenger reporting a fire in the engine compartment and then provided regular position updates until Salcombe Inshore Lifeboat arrived on scene and towed the casualty to Salcombe for a damage assessment.

01.08.10
After yacht Hannah reported engine failure by VHF radio when off Bolt head, Brixham Coastguard requested the duty watchkeeper to monitor the casualty. Position updates were given until the casualty, which was under sail and bound for Plymouth, was out of view.

29.07.10
Duty watchkeepers witnessed the harassment of dolphins in Salcombe Range by 7 motor boats and 2 dinghies and reported their concerns to Salcombe Harbour Master and Brixham Coastguard after the dolphins showed signs of distress. The harassment of dolphins is illegal and the reports will be followed up by the authorities.

28.07.10
Soon after opening the watch at 9am on 28 July, the watchkeepers received a request from Brixham Coastguard to look out for a yacht, Appledore Belle, which was returning from the Channel Islands to Salcombe without power. At 9.30 the watchkeepers sighted Appledore Belle 7½miles off Salcombe and reported her visual. During the next 3 hours they provided the Coastguard with information including position updates. The yacht was then towed into Salcombe by the Harbourmaster’s launch.

26.06.10
When the duty watchkeepers heard a yacht reporting seeing distressed dogs on Moor Sands they had 'a hunch' that the landlord at the Pig's Nose Inn in East Prawle might know something about them and so advised the Coastguard to phone him. Sure enough a customer in the bar stepped forward saying his dogs had been missing for 24 hours. They were soon recovered.

16.06.10
After yacht Mistral sent a PanPan urgency message reporting engine failure and jammed sails, the Prawle Point watchkeepers located her off Bolt Head and passed details to Brixham Coastguard. Later they advised the Coastguard that the Salcombe Harbour launch was alongside the casualty. Mistral was then towed into Salcombe.

01.06.10
Divers from a RIB dive boat were observed diving on the Salcombe Cannon site, a Protected Historic Wreck off Moor Sands one mile to the west of the Lookout. The wreck site licensees and the relevant authorities were informed by the duty watchkeepers in accordance with agreed procedures. It is understood that the divers were met on their return to Salcombe and could face action for carrying out unauthorised diving.

03.01.10
The duty watchkeepers overheard a yacht named Raven calling Brixham Coastguard on VHF Channel 16 to a report that its saildrive (similar to the bottom part of an outboard motor) had fouled a pot line in Elender Cove. No reply was heard from the Coastguard and so the watchkeepers relayed the message by phone. They also relayed further messages to the Coastguard from the casualty and from the Inshore Lifeboat which later towed Raven into Salcombe Harbour for repair.

Prawle Point with the watchstation on the skyline

27.03.10
On the morning of 27th March Prawle Point watchkeepers heard Brixham Coastguard calling Hope Cove Coastguard Rescue Team about an overturned RIB on Salcombe Bar. The watchkeepers quickly located the RIB and were able to report to Brixham that three people were in the water nearby and a fourth person was swimming ashore towards South Sands. Salcombe ILB was soon on scene and recovered the three people in the water. All four were unharmed.

19.02.10 – Prawle Point Lookout Receives Lottery Funding
Visitors to the National Coastwatch (NCI) Station at Prawle Point will be able to learn about the outstanding natural, cultural and historical heritage of the beautiful South Devon coastline thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), it was announced today. The award of £16,600 will allow the existing visitor centre to be completely refurbished with professionally designed displays, an observation window and radar and weather monitoring equipment.

The NCI Station at Prawle Point occupies a dramatic cliff top location on Devon's southernmost point. Built around 150 years ago as a Coastguard Signal Station, the Lookout is now manned 365 days a year by volunteer watchkeepers who look out for the safety of people at sea and along the coast.

The Visitor Centre, adjacent to the Lookout, is a popular attraction for coastal walkers but is currently in a poor state of repair. With the aid of the generous HLF grant, the NCI will create a first class information centre for visitors and a valuable learning resource for schools and youth groups.

Through the new observation window to be inserted on the seaward side of the building visitors will be able to view shipping and wildlife from a telescope to be provided by the Friends of Prawle Point. A radar monitor will also be installed to provide information on passing ships and a weather station will display current weather data.

A large number of local organisations have agreed to assist by providing ideas and material for the displays to help raise awareness of the heritage of the area and the need to conserve it. They include the National Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Birdwatchers, South Devon AONB, Brixham Seawatch,

Salcombe Lifeboat, Start Point Lighthouse, SW Maritime Archaeological Group, SW Coast Path Association, Slapton Ley Field Studies Centre, and Salcombe Maritime Museum. In addition, a number of local schools have expressed support for the project and are proposing to take part in a programme of educational visits and guided walks. Chivelstone Parish Council is also backing the scheme.

Commenting on the award, Prawle Point Station Manager, Roger Barrett, said: ‘We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled this work to take place. Although the safety of coast users is our top priority, we are always keen to welcome visitors to show them what we do and provide them with information about this magnificent section of coast. The re-vamped centre is sure to be a very popular attraction and a great learning resource for schools and youth groups’ HLF’s Head of Region for the South West, Nerys Watts, said: ‘We are particularly pleased to be able to support this project at Prawle Point which focuses so closely on the rich natural and maritime heritage that the South West region has in such abundance. The newly refurbished visitor centre will provide local people and visitors alike with a wonderful opportunity to understand the environment of this spectacular coastline and to ensure that it can be conserved for future generations to enjoy.