Volunteer watch-keepers hosted a behind the scenes tour of their station’s facilities for a church group.

A group of seven people from Weymouth Family Church requested a visit to the NCI (National Coastwatch Institution) Station at Portland Bill.

The activity was part of the church’s friendship week, which has seen various activities carried out, including DIY at Bethany Hall, as well as social events in the evenings.

The group was welcomed with tea, coffee and biscuits in the training room, before being given a talk by one of the watch-keepers and fellow family church member Frederick Daborn.

The talk was interactive with questions asked throughout.

The group was then split into two, with half spending time in the watch-room, and the other half watching the video, courtesy of Roger Sutherland, another watch-keeper working at the Bill.

In the watch-room the group were welcomed by watch-leader Mike Davis and his team, who explained the functions of the watch-room and its strategic position overlooking the Portland Race and Shambles sand bank.

The group were invited to use the binoculars and take a closer look at the equipment within the lighthouse.

There were regular conversations between watch-keepers and visitors, who had all showed a keen interest in what went on at the watch station on a daily basis.

The two groups changed over so all had the opportunity to see both the video and the room.

After two hours, the visitors left the station, leaving with encouraging words of appreciation for the visit.

The visit provided a greater insight into the work of the NCI at Portland Bill, as they look out for the safety of all who use the sea, either for work or leisure, and for those who walk, ride or climb around the Island.

NCI Portland Bill is run entirely on public donations, including local fund raising.

The lookout is manned in four-hour shifts, usually by three watch-keepers, from 7am until 7pm, 364 days each year, remaining on standby throughout the hours of closure.