Refurbishment

National Coastwatch

EYES ALONG THE COAST

St.Ives Station

GOLVA BORTHIA

Nearly 13 years after the establishment of the St Ives NCI Station, the interior has been completely refurbished.

In 1994 the Government ordered the withdrawal of HM Coastguard from the visual watch of the British coast. Consequently, at St Ives an NCI Station was opened by volunteers in 1999 and a visual watch re-established. Founder members furnished the abandoned building with second hand kitchen cupboards and equipped it using contributions from the public and the volunteers themselves. After years of fundraising by the members and generous donations by the public and commercial sponsors, it has been possible to replace those original fittings. At the same time the opportunity has been taken to re-wire to modern day standards and to decorate internally.

The pictures below show the original facilities and wiring:

Throughout the refurbishment a basic visual watch was maintained despite the noisy, dusty and cold environment. Now completed, these essential improvements have not only improved the working environment of the watchkeepers but more importantly, they have helped improve the efficiency of the Station in aiding coastal safety.

Subject to working demands, we welcome visitors to see the refurbished Station and also to appreciate what we do every day of the year to help keep sea and coastal users stay safe.

Here is a panoramic picture of our newly refurbished interior:

The refurbishment would not have been possible without the support and financial donations of the public and sponsors. We thank all those who have given over the years and also those private and commercial organisations who have given specifically towards these essential improvements: