America’s Boating Course

3 rd Edition

Communications Afloat

Chapter 3 Section 12

Presented by the St Paul Sail and Power Squadron

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1

Radio vs. Telephone

VHF Radio Designed for boats Cell Phone Designed for land Contact Coast Guard & other boats directly Contact authorities & others one by one Transmits at 25 watts Transmits at <3 watts DSC capabilities NOAA weather 20-30 mile coverage Coverage spotty 2

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VHF Radio

VHF radio is not required - Highly recommended If turned on – MUST monitor Channel 16/9

VHF Channels Purpose

06 Ship to Ship Safety 09 13 16 22A 68, 69, 71, 72, 78 Alternate Calling Channel – some areas Navigation Safety – ship to ship, locks, bridges Calling, Emergency, Distress Use only when directed by Coast Guard Working Channels for Recreational Boats WX1, WX2, … WX9 Weather (receive only)

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3

Digital Selective Calling

Channel 70 – digital Signals other radios Sends position via GPS Radio registered to owner MMSI number part of call

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4

Digital Selective Calling

Why Is DSC Important To Me ?

SOLAS Vessels No Longer Required to Monitor Ch 16 - may miss your voice distress call USCG Rescue 21 Program • Modernization of USCG Coastal Com Facilities • Fully Operational by 2011 • All 655 USCG Vessels with VHF/DSC • Takes the "Search" out of Search and Rescue 5

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DSC Distress Calls

Emergency Only Press & hold red button Sounds alarm on DSC radios Response switches to Channel 16 Can enter type of distress code

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6

Radio Range

Line of Sight • 25 NM (typical maximum range) Actual Range based on: • Height of antenna(s) • Transmitted power

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7

Equipment

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8

Licenses

None Required if Operating in U.S. Waters & Boat LOA < 20 Meters (65 Feet) Required if Travel to Foreign Ports (Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Etc) or to communicate with Foreign Stations If required obtained from the FCC a. Station License for Boat (radio) & b. Restricted Radio Operator's Permit

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9

Operating Procedures

Where Used: • Only on boats • Land operation requires special license Limited to Essential Communications: • Summon assistance • Safety purposes • Needs of the vessel 10

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Language

Use appropriate ‘radio’ terms Skipper responsible for radio Criminal offense: profane or indecent language Felony: false distress calls Don’t allow children to play with radio

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11

Procedure Words

THIS IS ROGER OVER OUT WILCO Preface to your call sign Last transmission received OK I’m done, you can answer (talk) I’m done, Goodbye ROGER and I will comply WAIT I will be back in a few seconds SAY AGAIN Say that again CORRECTION AFFIRMATIVE Oops! I really meant to say Yes NEGATIVE No Tips: Always end transmission with OVER or OUT - NOT BOTH • Do not use “Roger Wilco” instead of “Wilco”  “Wilco” means “Last transmission received OK and I will comply”

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12

Emergency Calls

Mayday Pan-pan Securité Responding to emergency call

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13

Mayday

For assistance with life and property

immediate danger

to Examples: • Life-threatening medical • Person lost overboard • Boat sinking • Boat on fire

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14

Mayday Info

Location Nature of distress Description of boat Number of persons aboard (injured) Seaworthiness of boat

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15

Mayday Call

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY THIS IS SAILBOAT WINDSONG, WINDSONG, WINDSONG. ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME ABOUT ONE HOUR. FOUR WITH BLUE TRIM.

WINDSONG: OVER.

Follow

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16

Pan-Pan (pahn-pahn)

For assistance when danger does not rise to

“MAYDAY” level

Examples: • Out of fuel • Lost in a fog • Unable to control or operate vessel 17

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Securité (say-cure-it-tay)

For navigation safety messages Examples: • To report a navigational hazard (sunken object) • Operational signals (towing a boat) • Weather Alerts

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18

Responding

Do not transmit on a channel in use Maintain silence on channel until clear If in a position to help - call the vessel in distress - what you can provide Inform the USCG of your actions 19

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Routine Calls

Information or logistics Listen before talking Use lowest power Calling channel Working channel Keep calls short

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20

Radio Check To verify radio works Use calling or working channel Limit use

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21

NOAA Channels

Broadcast weather reports Includes marine specific data Channel depends on location

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22

Offshore

High-frequency single sideband • Channels for marine use • Requires license Satellite • Similar to cell phone

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23

EPIRBs

Can transmit ID & homing signal May be water activated Primarily for off-shore use

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24

End Chapter 3

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