Question: Which is the correct way to hail another vessel by VHF radio?
In our sailing we've found that for each new area we cruise there always seems to be a whole new batch of what we call VHF radio speak. The above is just a sample of the talk we pick up. (We hope your answer was D.)
If you've had basic instruction on VHF operation, you know that the correct hailing procedure is to state one to three times in succession the name of the boat or station you're calling, followed by the name of your boat, once, then your call sign and "over."
"Osprey, Osprey, Osprey … this is Safari, over.."
Any additional words are unnecessary and wrong. Once you've made contact with your party, you should switch to a working channel and clear channel 16.
You're actually only required by the Coast Guard to carry a VHF if your boat is 65-1/2 feet or larger. But a VHF radio is obviously important safety gear to have aboard. It's your best source for weather bulletins and marine advisories, and it's crucial for communicating with other boats, commercial vessels, and bridge tenders, for example. It's also your best bet for getting help, should you have an emergency, such as a mechanical breakdown or a medical crisis. It can also be a way to obtain navigational clarification if you're unfamiliar with a particular water.
- "How bout'cha Rainbow Chaser?"
- "Hey Bob! Gotch yer big old satellite ears on?"
- "Second Wind … hey …Second Wind … yoo hoo … you out there?"
- None of the above.
In our sailing we've found that for each new area we cruise there always seems to be a whole new batch of what we call VHF radio speak. The above is just a sample of the talk we pick up. (We hope your answer was D.)
If you've had basic instruction on VHF operation, you know that the correct hailing procedure is to state one to three times in succession the name of the boat or station you're calling, followed by the name of your boat, once, then your call sign and "over."
"Osprey, Osprey, Osprey … this is Safari, over.."
Any additional words are unnecessary and wrong. Once you've made contact with your party, you should switch to a working channel and clear channel 16.
You're actually only required by the Coast Guard to carry a VHF if your boat is 65-1/2 feet or larger. But a VHF radio is obviously important safety gear to have aboard. It's your best source for weather bulletins and marine advisories, and it's crucial for communicating with other boats, commercial vessels, and bridge tenders, for example. It's also your best bet for getting help, should you have an emergency, such as a mechanical breakdown or a medical crisis. It can also be a way to obtain navigational clarification if you're unfamiliar with a particular water.
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