Vhf - Use?

[joeasburyp]

I just finished reading a good thread, did a search on this topic and found nothing!
I am just wondering and would like to hear what people think about this.

I feel that this is the most important piece of equipment I have on board. It is one that always has a back-up...handheld. I also have a sticker on board that explains how to use and the proper things to say, Mayday, Pan Pan, Secruite. Anyone who comes out with me is shown this 1st, along with the comment "if in doubt, use it." I also have it on at all times, while underway, both sail and power. Doe's anyone else out there go to this extent? And I know all you "coasties do."
Happy reading and fair winds.
joe

[nebo]

I AM a coastie, but I ALWAYS have my VHF on...just like you, I have the rules posted in the cabin next to the mic holder. Even if they can't remember the rules, they can do some good if all else fails.....

Nebo

[camaraderie]

I would rank several things higher than my vhf as "most important"...
Compass, GPS, Anchor, Binoculars (and I have backups for all of those too) to name a few.

Nevertheless...the VHF is always on 16.

[LittleMissMagic]

VHF seems to be becoming a lost art. I keep mine on 16 every time I am underway. It seems that every time you try to hail someone.There is a slim to none chance of them answering. Is this a growing trend...are boaters becoming too dependant on cell phones, and if so, what does this mean for SAR efforts and weather awareness?

[jerryrlitton]

Your SAR aircraft will monitor 16 and we would be launched from a center that monitors the same along with a host of other inputs. For instance our radio is capable of using another channel while monitoring the guard channel (16)

Jerry

[sailaway21]

VHF is really only line of sight communication, although there are times when you can hear and reach out much further. Your policy of monitoring it at all times is commendable. It is not so much that you may need it, but that you may be the only one who hears that important call from another vessel in distress. Never, ever, think that everyone else heard what you heard. With experience you'll find that other vessel's and even the CG will respond with, "what distress call"? It's just due to the vagaries of VHF propagation. And being ready to aid a distressed vessel is the beginning of true seamanship. We operate in an environment where we are all bound together by the laws and traditions of the sea. Complete strangers will come to our aid. There is no order of contempt strong enough for those who do not respect those traditions.

Instruction for the novice using it in an emergency is simple; make sure it's on Channel 16 and release the transmit button after speaking. Everything else is detail for safer times.

[rsn48]

In Vancouver, I keep my radio on channel 12, the working channel for the greater Vancouver area - Vancouver traffic. If I were calling a distress call, I'd hit my DSC button, then call it in on 16 though not required, then if in an area of a working channel such as Vancouver or Victoria, I'd call it in there as well.

Our working channel here is the busiest of all the channels available, other than the weather channels. Frequently I'll have my portable on as I play on the sailing forums listening to Vancouver traffic. I find this gives me a sense of what is going on in and around Vancouver, the busiest times, the correct protocol (for example, calling into Second Narrows Bridge to have it raised) on some procedures.

Another example of protocol I hadn't thought of, but if I was transiting under the Lions Gate Bridge, I'd now radio my intent and ask the status of any in coming and out going traffic during my time of transit. In the past, I just went without radioing - most pleasure crafts don't.

Listening to the working channel is almost like having AIS in the surrounding Vancouver area as all commercial traffic have to check in. All ships will have a pilot on them, excepting the BC Ferries. So by listening to the working channel, I'll know that a barge is towing a log boom, that the Langdale ferry has left for Horseshoe Bay, that the Bowen Island ferry has left Horseshoe Bay, that three cruise ships will be passing on the south side of Bowen Island.

I don't need AIS in these circumstances. If you have a working channel in your area and you aren't monitoring it, you're missing out on a lot of information.

[nolatom]

In "pilot waters", I keep a handheld ready, and keep it on it it's a trafficed area.

I also keep a horn, or on smaller boats, a whistle around my neck handy, because the other guy may not have radio (trouble is, he probably won't understand what "two whistles" means either. If, god forbid, you end up in a collision, it will go better for you if you tried both whistle and vhf, and other guy didn't.

Ultimately, in clear weather, the easiest way to signal the other guy is by making a sharp change in your own course. But you're not always free to make such an alteration.

Frequently i have to motor out in a narrow, unmarked channel, where the only water deep enough for my near-7 foot draft, is on the port or "wrong" side near the channel mouth. Incoming boats, who draw less and don't know or care that there's a shoal on the "right" side, can get confused by this. I try to time it that I don't meet them at that spot, but sometimes can't be avoided. I wish they were all on the radio--most aren't.

Once out on open water, I don't monitor radio unless vis is poor, or conditions are bad (someone might need assistance or info) or there's visible traffic.

All this in a very maneuverable, fast 26-foot sloop.

[Raggbagger]

Certainly monitor your VHF at all times even when you out in the middle o nothing , that aircraft carrier can seek up on you quick when your blasting your Jimmy Buffet and haulin in a 3ft Mahi Mahi . Its allways good to keep your ears open . Local commercial traffic will monitor channel 13 so keep that in mind too when you see tug boats moving around .

[therapy23]

My problem is that 16 is the hailing channel too and it is never quiet for a minute. Constant, just constant.