SHERINGHAM SHOAL

As a result of a grant from the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund Sheringham, Coastwatch has been able to update its equipment in the watch station situated high on Skelding Hill.

From this look-out the Sheringham Coastwatch team keep a visual watch over the sea, beaches and cliff tops surrounding the seaside town. It also monitors the radio channels used by shipping.

Sheringham Coastwatch Station had been operating with fully functioning but elderly radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), radio and weather equipment. The maintenance and servicing costs required to keep the equipment operational had become extremely expensive.

Following a successful application to the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, all equipment has been replaced, along with aerials, sensors and a purpose built console to house it all.

The project cost £5,500; Sheringham Shoal Community Fund provided 50% whilst the generosity of the public funded the remainder. From application to the first operational watch using the new equipment took less than six months.

The new equipment will help the Sheringham Coastwatch team perform their important role in marine safety along the North Norfolk coast more effectively for many years to come.

The design, planning, construction and installation was undertaken by a team of volunteer watch keepers, with technical support from KM Electronics Ltd of Lowestoft who supplied all the new equipment.