1 October 2013 From their lookout situated on the cliff top overlooking St Austell Bay, the watchkeepers at NCI Charlestown have been faced with several situations where persons are known to be in danger but hidden in the “blind spot” below the cliffs in front of the lookout.  After two particularly serious incidents in 2012, it was decided to explore the possibility of raising the funds necessary to install CCTV enabling them to keep this area of vulnerability under observation. 

Thanks to essential funding and construction support being provided by a number of local benefactors, the project started to take shape.                   

A major problem with the planned positioning of the camera was soon evident however.  It was not possible, due to a small outcrop of rock, to get full coverage of the area towards the east.  By use of a high visibility buoy dangling on a pole and a very cooperative boat owner, it was discovered that the problem could be resolved if the camera was mounted just a few metres out from the edge of the cliff.

Timely donations enabled the station to commission a purpose built rotating gantry. Meanwhile the foundations were excavated for the required mounting plinth.  The shuttering for the plinth was then constructed and filled with two tons of donated concrete. 

Whilst awaiting delivery of the gantry, the full CCTV system was successfully bench tested and installed with teething problems ironed out by the watchkeepers. 

Once the fabrication of the gantry had been completed, it was transported by road to the lookout and, following assembly and connection of the power system, the gantry was swung out into position and the assembled team of weary watchkeepers retired to the lookout to admire the excellent pictures finally available.