NCI Exmouth is one of 60 National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout stations around the coasts of England and Wales. We work with HM Coastguard and the RNLI by keeping watch over the estuary and the beach 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The NCI is a charity and the NCI stations form a national volunteer service which keeps a visual watch for water users and people on and in the water and for those on the beach who may get into difficulties.
At Exmouth, the sea approaches to the River Exe estuary can be dangerous in strong onshore winds and swell, as can the strong tidal and river streams inside the estuary mouth and up the river. These present unique hazards to the variety of small boats, personal watercraft and bathers who make use of this marvellous leisure facility.
We are also able to provide radio checks for vessels on VHF Channel 65, our callsign is "EXMOUTH NCI".
We are all volunteers. Being a watchkeeper is a responsible community role for which we are trained. From the lookout, above the Harbour View Café on Queen’s Drive, we have the best view of the lower River Exe estuary as well as being able to monitor Lyme Bay from Berry Head to Orcombe Point. Click on Join Us and come and join the team.
NCI Exmouth
Helping save lives along our coast
Lateral Starboard Buoy Number 1 and ‘Exe’ Safe Water Mark Number: 6/25. Date: 4th of March 2025 Notice is hereby given that the Lateral Starboard… Following a 999 call from the public to the Coastguard, NCI were asked to sweep surroundings for possible sightings of casualties Optics and CCTV checked… Lateral Starboard Buoy Number 1 – Missing from Station. Number: 5/25. Date: 22nd February 2025 Notice is hereby given that the Lateral Starboard Buoy Number… The Station Master Peter, and deputy John presented another John with his 10 year service certificate and badge. For much of those years John was… Watchkeepers were observing a kite surfer apparently in difficulty on the sand bank, a member of public also telephoned in to report. HMCG contacted who… Watchkeepers took a call from a member of the public concerned about what looked like surfers in difficulty in the sea at Budleigh. The watchkeepers… Safe Water Mark – Missing from Station. Number: 4/25. Date: 14th February 2025 Notice is hereby given that the ‘Exe’ Safe Water Mark is missing… Safe Water Mark Light Reinstated. Top Mark Missing. Date: 6th February 2025 Notice is hereby given that the ‘Exe’ Safe Water Mark (position below) light…Local Notice to Mariners 6/25
Incident: Swimmer possible in difficulty
Local Notice to Mariners 5/25
10 Years Presentation
Incident, Kite surfer in difficulty
Call from the public
Local Notice to Mariners 4/25
Local Notice to Mariners 3/25