21st August 2022. At 17:55 on a Sunday afternoon watch, NCI Calshot Tower heard a Mayday call on VHF radio channel 16 from a vessel with a broken propellor. The vessel reported that they were anchored near Calshot spit.
By 17:58, the volunteer watchkeepers Calshot Tower watchkeepers had located and identified the vessel. They informed H M Coastguard that the vessel was bearing 130 degrees about half a nautical mile from the station. They also reported that they had observed a number of vessels in the vicinity of the casualty motoring and sailing past and suggested to HM Coastguard that the casualty should try to draw attention to herself.
At 18:06, a passing yacht offered to assist. and drew alongside the casualty a few minutes later. They were able to assist with towing the vessel to Calshot and the Mayday was cancelled by the Coastguard. This is a great demonstration of how being the ‘eyes along the coast’ for the Coastguard helps them to make informed decisions about incidents.