PORTLAND Coastguard has put out a warning urging mariners to be careful not the block the emergency VHF channel following an incident on Saturday.

As Coastguard helicopter 104 was on its way back to Lee on Solent at 4.20pm, it located a strong open microphone, coming from a kayak near the entrance to Poole Harbour.

“Anyone else wanting to transmit couldn't, because they were blocking the whole channel,” said a spokesman.

“This happens a lot in the summer. People don't realise. They put the microphone down and the button on the side gets pushed in.

“We are unable to receive any distress calls at all. It is quite an urgent situation. We would urge people to check their radios and make sure they are not transmitting.”

The incident was resolved when another vessel, the Josephine, went alongside and spoke to the kayaker.