From the WCO report, of last June. Marine Radio Use:
No single piece of Marine equipment has become more abused in recent years than the Marine Radio, although not required by law, boaters on Lake Erie are strongly urged to consider having one on board. With a large influx of transient and casual boaters on Lake Erie, the abuse of this often life saving piece of equipment becomes more evident each year. Although many boaters help themselves by investing in a radio, all too often the time is not taken to learn the proper use of the radio, its channels, and how to use it in an emergency. Safety is the primary function of the marine radio or radiotelephone as it is sometimes called. The operator by law, must be familiar with and adhere to the provisions of the Federal Communications Commission. Although possession of the Rules and Regulations is not required, they may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Consider the following to help make better use of and to assist you in operating your marine radio in a legal and non interruptive manner.
At a minimum, you should: - MAINTAIN A WATCH while the radio is turned on, even though you are not communicating. Monitoring the Calling and Distress Channel 16 (2182 kHz SSB) is compulsory when the set is on and you are not communicating on another channel. At a minimum, the radio should be left on scan if you radio has this feature
- CHOOSE THE CORRECT CHANNEL when communicating either ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore.
- LIMIT THE PRELIMINARY CALL to 30 seconds. If there is no answer, you must wait 2 minutes before repeating the call.
- LIMIT SHIP-TO-SHIP CONVERSATIONS TO THREE MINUTES and the content to ship's business. Be considerate of others, they may want to use the line.
- REMEMBER THAT PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE HAS NO TIME LIMIT (private telephone calls) -The caller is paying the toll.
- NEVER USE PROFANE OR OBSCENE LANGUAGE or transmit fraudulent messages. Penalties include fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment or both.
- AVOID RADIO CHECKS as most are unnecessary. Do not call the US Coast Guard. If a check is really necessary, call a vessel that you know is listening. Radio checks are prohibited on Channel 16.
Logs: It is no longer necessary to keep a log of station operations. The operator may, however, keep a record of any distress or emergency traffic he hears or participates in along with a record of maintenance performed on the equipment.
Calling Procedure: The calling procedure has been developed in the interest of brevity. Calls are initiated on the Calling and Distress Frequency (Channel 16). If there is no traffic, begin by calling the name of the boat three times, followed by your boat name and its call sign.
Distress and Safety Calls In an emergency as part of the marine safety and communication system, you have help on Channel 16 at your fingertips wherever you may be. Emergency situations can be categorized as distress, urgency and safety. The signals for these calls and their descriptions follow:
Distress: "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY." This is the International Distress Signal and is an imperative call for assistance. It is used only when a life or vessel is in immediate danger.
Urgency: "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN" (PAHN PAHN). This in the International Urgency Signal and is used when a vessel or person is in some jeopardy of a degree less than would be indicated by Mayday. These broadcasts are often heard on Lake Erie and most often are broadcast by one of the US Coast Guard Stations.
Safety: "SECURITY, SECURITY, SECURITY" (SAY-CURE-IT-TAY). This is the International Safety Signal and is a message about some aspect of navigational safety or a weather warning. This broadcast is also often heard on Lake Erie and very often is a warning of sever pending weather situations.
Most boaters never have the need to make a distress call but all should be familiar with the proper procedure. WHEN YOU NEED IT THERE WILL NOT BE TIME TO LEARN IT. MAYDAY calls should only be maid when there is "immediate or eminent danger". In most cases it will be pending abandon ship situation. A "MAYDAY" situation is usually a stressful and hectic one, so having a Distress Communication Form tailored to your boat, partially completed and readily available is a great aid in making an organized distress call. For Urgency (Pan pan) calls, a format similar to the "Mayday" signal can be used. Safety (Security) messages inform other boaters of abnormal situations relative to safe operation and are the lowest priority of the emergency situations.
Distress calls are initiated on Channel 16 because they should be heard by many boats, as well as the Coast Guard and other shore stations within range. If you receive a distress call, cease all transmission. All vessels having knowledge of distress traffic, and which cannot themselves assist, are forbidden to transmit on the frequency of the distress traffic. They should, however, listen and follow the situation until it is evident that assistance is being provided. Transmitting may resume after hearing an "all clear" (Silence Fini).
"Over and Out" The most commonly misused procedure words are "Over and Out." "Over" means that you expect a reply. "Out" means you are finished and do not expect a reply. It is contradictory to say "Over and Out."
Radio Abuse: VHF marine radio is a vital communications link for the boating community and abuse of the radio seriously affects the safety of all boaters. There are FCC monitoring stations which, along with the Coast Guard, are alert for understandable language and correct operation of marine stations. Sophisticated equipment provides for tracking violators through "voice prints" of transmissions made on the radio.
Willful or repeat violators may receive a "Notice of Violation" citations, and be fined up to $2,000. The following will improve your radio communications:
- Marine Radio is not Citizens Band (CB), so watch your talk afloat. Phrases such as "Hey Good Buddy," "Bring That Back," "I Copy," and "That's a Big 10-4," are not only frowned upon by the authorities, but are illegal.
- Always use FCC call signals at the beginning and the end of all transmissions.
- Maintain radio watch on Channel 16, and use it only for emergency and calling purposes.
- Switch to one of the working channels for messages. Typically, these are 68, 69, 71, 72 and 78.
- Use low power (1 watt) whenever possible.
Summary of Emergency Procedures: - Select Channel 16.
- Repeat MAYDAY three times.
- Give vessel name and call sign.
- Give position.
- Describe emergency.
- If no answer, repeat and then try another channel.
The Good Samaritan Law: The Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971 contains a "Good Samaritan" clause stating: "Any person who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident or other casualty, without objection of any person assisted, shall not be liable for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towing, medical treatment, or other assistance, where the assisting acts as any ordinary, reasonable prudent man would have acted under the same set of circumstances."
post edited by spoonchucker - 2007/06/06 11:48:06