It’s probably not a surprise to hear that the National Coastwatch lookout station on the Willapark headland is “off grid” with respect to utilities. In order to power electronic equipment, there are several solar panels and a wind turbine installed on the roof. These charge ten 12 volt batteries which in turn provide 240 volt power via an inverter. After seven years of valuable service the ability of the batteries to retain charge had diminished to a point where it was beginning to impact capability. As a station with Declared Facility Status it is essential to keep all necessary equipment operational.
So out with the old and in with the new. Using a 4 wheel drive utility vehicle and permission from the National Trust to drive on the Stitches and headland, two new Lithium Ion batteries were delivered and 250kg of lead acid batteries removed for recycling. These were successfully installed during an evening watch without any disruption to the work of the watchkeepers.
Mid-April, watchkeepers made a sighting of 2 paddles and an adjacent orange object floating in the sea approximately 1 nautical mile North of the station. In line with protocol, the sighting was reported to Falmouth Coastguard who tasked the Boscastle Coastguard Rescue Team to check the harbour area. Concerned that the floating object could be a flotation aid, the Coastguard tasked the Port Isaac inshore lifeboat to attend. The lookout’s vantage point allowed the watchkeepers to assist the lifeboat to the incident by the process of “conning on”, where clock-face directions are given to the lifeboat as their long range visibility at sea level is very limited. 2 kayak paddles and an item of orange debris was recovered by the lifeboat who continued to conduct a coastal sweep. Satisfied there was no further risk to life, the search was discontinued and the teams stood down.
