Importance of logging on with local sea rescue group
Yesterdays rescue of 3 men has highlighted the need for you all to log on with you local sea rescue group.
If they had logged on with Cockburn or Fremantle. Procedure are in place and a search would have commenced sooner rather than waiting for the relatives to call us.
All three groups have Whitfords, Fremantle and Cockburn have vessels eqipped with FLIR cameras allowing us to search at night as well as the police choppers. Based on what happened if they had logged on I would expect a search would have commenced by 11.00pm once all the checks had been completed including locating the car/trailer at Woodman Point.
When you log on we require the following details:
Call sign - if registered with local sea rescue they would have issued you a call sign. If not a member you can use your vessels DOT number (found on the side of the boat).
Number of people onboard
amount of fuel
DOT Number if registered with one of the groups so we can cross reference the details in the event of a search
Point of departure - this allows us to search the car park for vehilce & trailer if overdue
Destination - don't need exact GPS unless diving. Just remember to advise if location changed. This assists us in knowing where to start searching
ETA - estimated time of return. Don't forget to advise if staying out longer or eta changed due to change in conditions.
If not returned within 15 minutes of ETA we will start calling on the radio. After 30 minutes we will call mobiles (if a registered member of the sea rescue groups). If still no response we will then contact the Water Police. If our vessels in the area we will also check the car park. Again we can only do this if registered with Whitfords sea rescue.
The 3 groups provide 24 hrs 7 day a week 365 days a year coverage so don't feel you are inconveniencing someone by calling early in the morning or late at night. It may save you life.
Whenever you call us wait until you are outside the marinas. Quite often we either cannot hear you or you may not hear us respond. Do the same when you return. Same for Rotto call us before you enter the bays.
For those who travel to Rotto and have VHF there is a repeater station set up on Rotto. So if you can't get us on 73 change to 81.
If you want more details and becoming an associate members just go to each of the groups website. Remember if you are a member of Fremantle and leave Hillarys you can still log on with Whitfords.
Remember taking a few minutes to log on may save you life.
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Tradewind
Posts: 756
Date Joined: 18/09/12
Thanks Iceman, What a
Thanks Iceman,
What a community we have in Boating & Fishing to have such dedicated volunteers ensuring safety and saving lives of their brethren
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Are you sure Cockburn are
Are you sure Cockburn are 24hrs? We couldnt ever get them before 6am so we figured they hadnt started yet. With all the pre-dawn and dusk fishing I do I'd rather log on but thought they were only 6am-6pm.
Jason P
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 16/02/13
I agree, never bee able to
I agree, never been able to contact Cockburn between 6pm to 6am.
DM306
sunshine
Posts: 2554
Date Joined: 03/03/09
NO - Cockburn are not 24 hours
I always log onto Fremantle VN6DI if I am early and they always respond very quickly - they provide a great service
De-Crais
Posts: 107
Date Joined: 26/03/11
I think you'll find Cockburn
I think you'll find Cockburn do operate 24hrs, We used Woodies regularly and I've never had a problem getting them late at night out between the Islands and wanted to extent our ETA even at one or two am in the morning! Would agree with Iceman with regards to calling once you're outside the marinas once you are away from all the interference.
Tradewind
Posts: 756
Date Joined: 18/09/12
Checking their website they
Checking their website they report monitoring both UHF & VHF 24hrs
sarcasm0
Posts: 1396
Date Joined: 25/06/09
UHF and VHF?
UHF is a terrestrial based frequency sometimes used in port to not disrupt VHF communications, I believe you will find they monitor 27MHz and VHF. 27MHz falls in the LF Band if im not mistaken. I hate to be a prude on the point, but it would be dangerous for someone to equip a boat with a car UHF set and head out and get into an issue and find they could not communicate.
Iceman
Posts: 745
Date Joined: 17/03/09
Home base stations
after hours we have dedicated members who operate from thier homes. We have a internet based system which works through the groups operating bases. If for some reason you cannot get Cockburn then call Fremantle. Fremantle and Cockburn cover each other at different time.
As mnetioned before call once you have left the marina. The limestone wall can cause interference and block some calls.
Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers - Level 1, 11 Hobsons Gate Currambine
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hornet42
Posts: 179
Date Joined: 24/07/12
thanks
Thanks for that INFO
PB Dhu 850 mm Pink 820mm
iana
Posts: 652
Date Joined: 21/09/09
Question
Who monitors DSC, and how do those who have a VHF with DSC test them to see if they are working.
sarcasm0
Posts: 1396
Date Joined: 25/06/09
DSC
Almost all commercial shipping will have dsc and by law have to monitor #16 and will likely be dual watching 16 and 73(perth metro) and any other DSC equipped unit switched on within receiving distance. Sea Rescue types, are your units DSC? Just as a matter of interest, if so do you record stats from rescues performed with DSC assistance vs standard VHF?
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
2 Dsc units on our boat.
2 Dsc units on our boat. Have never had an instance up here where we have received a call through it.
I think most people have still not had the training to understand what it is and how it can work for them.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Same as Hedland
We are the same as Hedland, 2 units in one of the boats and one in the other plus 2 in the base station. We have never had to use it or had the training for it.
We have a 2 day exercise coming up next month with Shark Bay down at Monkey Mia and will see if we can incorporate it in to the training.
Iceman
Posts: 745
Date Joined: 17/03/09
On boats and ops tower
Whitfords boats and tower have DSC. We also monitor 16 as well as 73 and 81. Cannot recall any rescues involving DSC.
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uncle
Posts: 9348
Date Joined: 10/02/07
cannot understand why anyone dosen't log on
its just selfish and puts others at risk, someone [family members etc]needs to know your plans all the time so that if you don't show up the alarm is raised, I believe these gentlemen were due back at 10pm, be nice if they were to say in all their interviews, what ever you do log on.
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
0700
The alarm wasn't raised until 0700 in the morning when the son discovered their car and trailer still in the carpark. They were very lucky, much longer and it could have been bodies they found.
As Iceman says, a simple thing like logging on can save your life and to save us a heap of trouble at the sea rescue groups, please don't forget to log off when you return.
Rob H
Posts: 5744
Date Joined: 18/01/12
For those in regional areas
For those in regional areas who may not have 24 hr or even 7 day coverage-just give clear and unambiguous written details to your missus or someone else, especially and above all a "panic" time.
"If you have not heard from me by +++pm, something has gone wrong-then try to phone and text me then phone the police/VMR to try VHF"
Then no "I'll just wait a bit longer".
Unless you have done something idiotic like gone to the pub and switched your phone off cos of the whining missus, everyone will be happy when your found broken down, flat battery, whatever, but alive.
I have forgotten to log off once and funnily enough logged off via phone from an Abrolhos trip-only to get a phone call the following weekend as my name was still on the board-mmm
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Need to stress the
Need to stress the importance of accurate position reporting and times. As iceman and carnarvonite will attest to, the size of search areas is greatly affected by wind and water movement (current). The more time that passes sees search areas explode in terms of the amount of area that needs to be covered by search craft, be it water or air. When I was involved in SAR in the late 90's there was computer technology that generated aeach areas based on wind and current conditions and the object being seached for (large boat / small boat / yacht / person). Those search areas are reviewed as time passes and tou quickly appreciate how big they get in a matter of hours.
The important factors are raising the alarm as soon as possoble, and knowing where to look.
Tell someone your plans. They should understand who to call if you dont return or make contact.
And dont just log on with VMR groups, KEEP THEM UP TO DATE WITH PLAN CHANGES.
Stay safe everyone.
Fish! HARD!
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Location
You don't have to give your exact location [we have our own spots and don't need your] but within say 1-2 nm and if you move more than 3-4nm radio the change in. Those vital minutes lost searching may be the difference between you getting home alive or dead and I don't like pulling bodies out of the water, its something I have done before and never want to do again if I can help it.
Here in Carnarvon, we have been asking for boats to be more exact when logging on. For example they would say they are off to the islands---well there are 3 of them and they cover some 30nm, where do you search, inside? outside? the Gap between Bernier and Dorre? Koks to the north?
Its for your benefit so please help us to help you.
red dawn
Posts: 104
Date Joined: 29/11/10
I greatly appreciate what VMR's do
And I often log on , however I also go out regularly looking for new ground or trolling when I have no set plan on where to go or where I might end up. What should I do on those occasions?
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Location
Even if you give your new location each half an hour and let them know roughly where you might be heading to. Every bit of info works in the event of a search
red dawn
Posts: 104
Date Joined: 29/11/10
Thanks
for that Carnarvonite,I'll try that!
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
rockingham ssar
the Rockingham ssar say they are a 24 hour operation , infact they have a sign at the ramp saying that I have tried to log on at 5am quite a few times but with no response , I then log on with freo ssar which is 24 hour monitored , those guys do a great job (Rockingham) , but if its not monitored 24 hours a day don't say it is
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
Thinking outside the square ,
Thinking outside the square , for further safety options , be good if some techy designed a smartphone app . That you could log onto and it could also send realtime co ords as to boats whereabouts etc . Most of the time metro FFB / ROTTO I've got reception .
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
Rob H
Posts: 5744
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Pretty sure I read that over
Pretty sure I read that over east they have an online system set up to log on/off.
The downside of course though is that logging on is a good test for your radio.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
You mean like the 'Spot'
You mean like the 'Spot' system or 'Tracplus'?
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Spot and Tracplus
If I remember Spot tracker comes in around $400 and Tracplus is somewhere just over a grand
Spot tracker is a bugger of a thing to set up initially, so bad that we gave up on it. Still got the unit as an ornament!!
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Have you loaded up tracplus
Have you loaded up tracplus on your computer yet? We have it all fitted to the boat but I haven't got around to loading up the software to my laptop yet.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Base
Same here, loaded on the base computer but not on the laptop. You can use the public version and use your password to follow the boats on your home pc without having to load it on.
I have Leigh's phone number in NZ to lead you through it if you have trouble.
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
just enabling gps on phone
just enabling gps on phone then via app it appears on sea rescues nav mapping .. sounds easy to me , sort of
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Good idea
The Freo guys are quite often at Leeuwin boat ramp giving out membership forms.
Might actually have to join after this.
My mortagage broker is some kind of supreme commander for the rescue services, might ask him
whichj club is the best to join.
I'm thinking Freo as thats where I go out from mostly.
tangles
Posts: 1367
Date Joined: 17/12/06
same here
same here. I think to be safe always log in. but then as an incident again up here last week. local crew fishing up at 5th fence which is 30 odd k's north blew his gearbox out in his outboard. got in touch with vmr and asked for assistance and to have the niad come up and tow him back. Sorry there is no skipper available in town to come up and tow you back! (this was not true!!) One of the local ex cray boats had to steam up there and town the boat back!
sometimes its just safer and easier to let your family or friends know exactly where you are!!
but yeah in perth definitely log in, I make sure the ol man logs in everytime we go even just out to Cockburn sound for squid.
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
The challenges of living in
The challenges of living in a small town and stirring the pot I'm guessing.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
uncle
Posts: 9348
Date Joined: 10/02/07
put sea rescue phone number
in your mobile, had to use it once to log off
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
Faulkner Family
Posts: 17861
Date Joined: 11/03/08
they are three lucky fellas.
they are three lucky fellas. the radio news said one of them had a core temp of about 31 degrees, should have been dead at that temp.
these days with all the safety equip there souldnt be any reason to be stuck like these fellas. always sign on and off when you hit the water. along with the epirb you are prety sure if something happens you should be found before its too late.
at least these fellas had their jackets on. lucky for sure. definatly shows importance of safety gear
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Iceman
Posts: 745
Date Joined: 17/03/09
Boat Rego on trailer
One more tip
put your boat rego on your trailer (drawbar). Quite often we have to wait (up to an hour depending on how busy they are) for the Water Police to get back to us with your trailer details so we check the car park where you left.
Having the rego on your trailer will save a lot of time and may assist us in getting out to you quicker if you are in trouble.
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SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
I like that idea
I like that idea
dagree
Posts: 660
Date Joined: 08/12/07
Another like for the rego
Another like for the rego idea..... Should be made compulsory!
Cheers,
David (AKA Grumps)
Location: Heathridge. Toys: 120 Series Prado ... 5.3 Stacer Seamaster/Merc 90HP.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Rego
Like the rego on the drawbar , will suggest it at our next meeting for a mail out to all our registered owners
Rob H
Posts: 5744
Date Joined: 18/01/12
the downside of putting it
the downside of putting it on there is in (from reading on here) high crime ramps, the dodgy bastards listening on their stolen VHF will know "DH271 etc" is going to Rotto for 3 days and be able to connect it to a particular car left parked there
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.