National Coastwatch

National Coastwatch

About the Organisation

Calshot NCI tower is situated on Calshot Spit which is a one-mile long sand and shingle bank at the seaward end of Southampton Water. The tower is owned by ABP and was built in 1973 as part of the Southampton VTS radar chain. The lookout viewing platform is approximately 100 feet above sea level and has a 360° view over Southampton Water and the Solent with a horizon distance of 11 nautical miles. It served as a Coastguard lookout from 1974 until the 1990s and was opened as an NCI station in July 2010. 

Over 6500 major vessel movements were logged by our volunteer watchkeepers in 2011 but the priority for watchkeepers is keeping a lookout for vulnerable craft and those at greatest risk. The port of Southampton is one of the Country's busiest with constant commercial traffic. This includes the world's largest cruise ships, container vessels and oil tankers, as well as regular car ferry and high-speed ferry services through the area so the need for volunteer watchkeepers has never been greater.

Many Watchkeepers are also Calshot Association Members and enjoy all the benefits that come with Association membership including a 10% discount on all Café purchases (ex. alcohol). The Calshot Activity Centre Café/Bar has a good range of refreshments including Breakfast, Lunch or Supper, tea, coffee and soft drinks. 

Rules for NCI volunteers will be per the National NCI Constitution.

If you are a regular visitor to Calshot or user of the Centre, you may consider it worthwhile purchasing an  annual parking permit from the Activities Centre.

Contacts

General Information: calshot.tower@nci.org.uk

Secretary:  jerry.weber@nci.org.uk

Telephone: Secretary: 07961 594401

Website:      www.nci.org.uk/calshot

08.00 - 17.00  Winter, 08.00 - 20.00 Summer

Required Membership: Association Membership is not required to join this organisation but it is available to anyone who wants to take advantage of the Association benefits.

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National Coastwatch
National Coastwatch
National Coastwatch
National Coastwatch
National Coastwatch
National Coastwatch
National Coastwatch