Boating is fun… we’ll show you how America’s Boating Course 3 rd Edition 1 Communications Afloat Chapter 3 Section 12 Presented by the St Paul Sail and Power Squadron Presented by the St Paul Sail and Power Squadron

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Radio vs. Telephone 2 VHF RadioCell Phone Designed for boatsDesigned for land Contact Coast Guard & other boats directly Contact authorities & others one by one Transmits at 25 wattsTransmits at <3 watts DSC capabilities NOAA weather mile coverageCoverage spotty

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how VHF radio is not required - Highly recommended If turned on – MUST monitor Channel 16/9 VHF Radio 3 VHF ChannelsPurpose 06Ship to Ship Safety 09Alternate Calling Channel – some areas 13Navigation Safety – ship to ship, locks, bridges 16Calling, Emergency, Distress 22AUse only when directed by Coast Guard 68, 69, 71, 72, 78Working Channels for Recreational Boats WX1, WX2, … WX9Weather (receive only)

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Digital Selective Calling Channel 70 – digital Signals other radios Sends position via GPS Radio registered to owner MMSI number part of call 4

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 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 Why Is DSC Important To Me ? Digital Selective Calling

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 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 6

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Radio Range Line of Sight 25 NM (typical maximum range) Actual Range based on: Height of antenna(s) Transmitted power 7

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Equipment 8

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 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 9 If required obtained from the FCC a. Station License for Boat (radio) & b. Restricted Radio Operator's Permit

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 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

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 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 11

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Procedure Words 12 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” THIS IS Preface to your call sign WAIT I will be back in a few seconds ROGER Last transmission received OK SAY AGAIN Say that again OVER I’m done, you can answer (talk) CORRECTION Oops! I really meant to say OUT I’m done, Goodbye AFFIRMATIVE Yes WILCO ROGER and I will comply NEGATIVE No

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Emergency Calls Mayday Pan-pan Securité Responding to emergency call 13

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Mayday For assistance with immediate danger to life and property Examples: Life-threatening medical Person lost overboard Boat sinking Boat on fire 14

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Mayday Info Location Nature of distress Description of boat Number of persons aboard (injured) Seaworthiness of boat 15

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Mayday Call MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY THIS IS SAILBOAT WINDSONG, WINDSONG, WINDSONG. MAYDAY WINDSONG. OVER VESSEL CALLING MAYDAY - THIS IS COAST GUARD STATION CORTEZ. WHAT’S YOUR NATURE OF DISTRESS AND YOUR POSITION. OVER. THIS IS SAILBOAT WINDSONG MY POSITION IS APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES OFF EGMONT KEY - COMPASS BEARING IS 120. SLOWLY SINKING. ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME ABOUT ONE HOUR. FOUR PERSONS ARE ONBOARD, ONE INJURY, FRACTURED LEG. WE ARE A 25 FOOT SAILBOAT, COLOR WHITE WITH BLUE TRIM. WINDSONG: OVER. SAILBOAT WINDSONG THIS IS STATION CORTEZ. VESSEL IS ON THE WAY TO YOUR POSITION. COAST GUARD OUT. 16 Loud Audio to Follow

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 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

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Securite (say-cure-it-tay) For navigation safety messages Examples: To report a navigational hazard (sunken object) Operational signals (towing a boat) Weather Alerts 18

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 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

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Routine Calls Information or logistics Listen before talking Use lowest power Calling channel Working channel Keep calls short 20

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Radio Check To verify radio works Use calling or working channel Limit use 21

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how NOAA Channels Broadcast weather reports Includes marine specific data 22 Channel depends on location

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Offshore High-frequency single sideband Channels for marine use Requires license Satellite Similar to cell phone 23

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how EPIRBs Can transmit ID & homing signal May be water activated 24 Primarily for off-shore use

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how End Chapter 3 25