News Updates
Latest
News 01/10/2007
Visit
our new Picture Gallery
Change in
Management
As
the result of a recent tied ballot of station members, the NCI
Trustees have decided to appointed Mr. Colin Davey as Acting Station
Manager.
Disaster Strikes
On New Years Eve as the result of storm force
winds, our wind turbine was torn from the top of the mast and
smashed to pieces, the 6 composite blades were torn off, the
rotor shaft bent and the regulator burnt out. Thanks to the
prompt action of our station manager, and volunteer helpers plus
quick service from Fowey Electronics (Andrew Toms) a replacement
turbine was fitted within 2 weeks of the event.
Rotor bent shaft and missing blades |
Main Casing of Turbine |
In the meanwhile power was maintained by the solar panels
supplemented by use of the emergency generator.
We would like to record our thanks to Derek (Station Manager)
and the members of the watch who turned out in the foul weather
to carry out the repairs.
A special mention for Derek's son Glyn, who provided the off road
vehicle to enable the work to be carried out.
The down side of this disaster is it has cost us over £1000.
Better news
We are very pleased to announce that our station
has now been awarded Declared Facility Status (DFS)
This now means that we are officially recognised by the MCA as
being part of the rescue co-ordination services upon which the
coastguard service can call for co-operation and information
when the need arises.
As well as visual watches, recording and reporting roles we now
have functional VHF facilities on the marine rescue channel,
along with operational radar facilities.
We are most grateful to the NCI DFS examiners
and Dave Searle HMCG Liaison Officer who came to conduct the
assessment.
The Station Manager Derek Lindsey and the crew
were congratulated on the overall presentation of the station.
WE NOW LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING AN EVEN MORE
IMPORTANT ROLE IN SAFETY AT SEA ALONG THE NORTH COAST OF
CORNWALL
Welcome to Padstow New
Lifeboat
Padstow's new lifeboat
"the Spirit of Padstow" arrived at Padstow 3rd July.
She was met off Stepper
Point by HMS Cornwall, The James Borough & the Rock ILB as
well as many local boats. After her photo call by the Navy she
proceeded at high speed into the Camel Estuary for the formal ceremony
at Padstow Quay. The duty crew at Stepper watch dipped the
Cornish flag as a gesture of welcome when she passed the
station.
Click on the pictures
below for larger view
"Spirit of Padstow" passing Stepper Point |
"Spirit of Padstow" & "James Burrough" with HMS
Cornwall
|
The "Spirit of
Padstow" 16-04 (Tamar Class Lifeboat) , is the latest in a
long history of lifeboats to be stationed at Padstow and
replaces the "James Burrough" 47-003 (Tyne Class).
The new boat is now operational and is housed in a new
purpose built station at Trevose Head.
See Picture Gallery
View Incident log
2004. Rebuild of Station
completed
The officers and crew of the station would like to
convey their since thanks to all who helped to in this project. As
you
will see from our home picture the lookout has changed
somewhat. As a result we now have about 270 degrees of visual
watch from the station.
The fitting out of the work area and decoration exterior &
interior has been carried out by Dave & Ness Towndrow, Dave
is one of our watch keepers. The
watch has now been re-established in the building. The new wind turbine
is now operational and full power has been re-established again.
The
building work was undertaken by John Bealing Construction a well established local firm.
The roof has been re-decked by South Western Flat Roofing of St
Columb at no cost to us, a big thank you to Raymond & his
staff. Heating installation was carried out by Padstow Heating.
Pictures of progress.
The rebuild has been made possible as a result of
some generous grants from various supporting bodies, when
completed the new permanent structure will give better conditions for the crew during their duty hours.
Our power sources have be updated and the interior upgraded.
As part of the
refurbishment we have offered external wall space for an information
board dedicated to the RSPB, as well as establishing a reporting
point for that organisation.
Changes in Conservation Management at
Stepper
Mr. Charlie Watson-Smyth the tenant farmer and
Countryside Steward for
the Stepper Point headland organised an evening hosted by Rick
Stein's Seafood
Cookery School South Quay Padstow on Jan 21st to raise awareness
of conservation measures that are in place to protect this
outstanding part of our Cornish coastline. The evening was a
great success attended by about 70 people.
Speakers were
George Brew DEFRA (Countryside Stewardship) Clare Mucklow RSPB
Charlie David NCDC Heritage Coast
National Coastwatch Stepper Point support this
initiative and are pleased to offer their co-operation to act as
an information centre.
If you are interested in becoming a "
Friend of Lellizzick" you can contact Mr. Watson-Smyth
on 01841532648 or by e-mail
The farm shop is now open
awaiting your visit.
Lifeboat News
The construction of new lifeboat house and
slipway are now completed at Trevose Head. For latest news
visit the Lifeboat website via on our links page.
The new Lifeboat named "The Spirit of Padstow",
is now on station and operational. The new boat continues to
prove it worth having had a number of emergency shouts during
the first 10 months on station.
Our station
has very close links with the Padstow Lifeboat and support them
in their cause.
Interesting discovery off
Stepper Point
| Pictured here a fine example of a warping
anchor recently recovered off Stepper Point. It is thought
to date from the late 1800's when ships entering the
estuary were hauled around the point by capstans to save
them from being wrecked on the Doom Bar. |
 |
Wildlife Observation
26/03/07
The Gyrfalcon seems to have departed, no sighting have been
reported during the last months.
The presence of a Gyr falcon caused much interest amongst the bird watching
fraternity with many of them visiting the headland. We have learned that a Gyr
falcon has been a regular visitor to Stepper for the last 6 years.
Sightings of puffins have been logged by watch keepers recently.
The station is now being used a reporting base for wildlife sightings.
Recent Incidents
Click here to visit
latest
Incident
Log
Last Updated 25/09/06
All should be reminded of the difficult sea
conditions along this stretch of coast, always seek advice from
local sources.
Weather
Update at Stepper 04/07/07
No up-to-date info
The Coastguard Authorities have issued warnings
reminding those who are intending to visit lesser known parts of the coastline
to check the tide times very carefully. Spring
tides are extremely dangerous, these occur at times of full
moon.
It cannot
be stressed too strongly!!! please avoid walking too close to
the cliff edges during gales and high winds vortex set up by the
wind is liable to drag you over the cliff edge.
Increasing use of our
weather report facility is being logged.
Please feel free to contact the station 07810898041 for
real time weather conditions.
A recent warnings to the
public by HM Coastguard has confirmed our concerns about the
dangers on the coastal footpaths.
Warning
Our duty keepers are still observing walkers who are allowing their
dogs to roam freely on the coast path, this is courting danger
for their pets and has a profound effect on the wildlife.
Dog owners please keep your dogs on a lead,
there have been recent incidents where loose animals have fallen to
their death over the cliff edges,
sheep worrying is also a major problem.
Remember if animals fall over cliffs
rescuers put their lives at risk to save them.
Newsletter
update
We are always pleased to
receive any copy of items of interest regarding the maritime
history of Stepper and it's history, please send copy by e-mail
or post to the Station Manager & we will endeavor to
publish. The summer newsletter is now ready and has been dispatched
to current members, should you fail to receive
your copy, you should contact e-mail
Click here to view old
newsletters
Winter 2006-7
Winter 2005/06
2004
Newsletter
Summer 2003
Summer
2007
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UK
View Incident Log
|
