NCI Padstow

The NCI Padstow Station at Stepper Point is situated on the north west side of the Camel Estuary, overlooking the area around Newland Island, Polzeath, Daymer Bay, Rock and Hawkers Cove.

Friends of Stepper was formed to involve people who are willing to support our watch station and take an interest in our activities. Close co-operation with the local community is of utmost importance.

In 2025 NCI Padstow (formerly known as NCI Stepper Point) will have been in existance for 25 years and a strong group of volunteer watchkeepers is dedicated to safeguarding anyone out on the water and walkers whom we consider may be vulnerable.

The Padstow station relies completely on donations, as do all NCI Stations. Our fundraising has been well supported by the local community and visitors alike. It is essential that we continue fundraising. We are out and about with collecting tins and are grateful for any fund raising opportunities and donations.

We are fully operational with radio, radar, AIS and visual watch during daylight hours 365 days a year.

Current weather conditions are broadcast on CH65 at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 hrs and we also offer weather reports on conditions in the Camel Estuary and its approaches to any person who wishes to contact us on 01841 705008 or by VHF CH65, the dedicated NCI radio frequency which should always be used to contact the station by VHF, calling Padstow NCI. Our automatic weather station can be accessed live via our website, www.ncipadstow.org.uk

The station is on standby to be manned when there is any emergency in the vicinity. We work in close co-operation with Padstow Lifeboat and HM Coastguard.

Local tradesmen have helped by donating their labour for specialised tasks and there are always ongoing maintenance and replacement costs. The station has no mains electricity and so we have had to install solar panels and wind generators to ensure that we can operate our electrical equipment. Fortunately our late station manager, Richard Wilson, was able to provide his much appreciated expertise to achieve this.

Our current Station Manager, Richard Cole, manages the upkeep and updating of our facilities.

To become a Friend of Stepper Point please click the button at the bottom of this page. An application form will open in a new window. Print two copies of the form and complete them. Keep one copy as your reference and send the other to the address below, along with your cheque. Please make cheques payable to NCI Padstow. Your name and address will not be passed to any third parties it will only be used in our membership register.

Once you join us you will receive a copy of our newsletter, published in January and July each year. This gives updates on events concerning the station plus various articles of interest.

Richard Cole - Station Manager

1 Maenne Parc

St Tudy

Bodmin

Cornwall

PL30 3FQ