VHF16-and assistance calls
Fishing out of Coral Bay, we dropped in on a VHF conversation between VMR and a boat with a flat battery.
There seemed noone else to assist so we cut a little short our fishing and headed in 10 miles to assist.
The boat was in quite an awkward spot, close inside the breakers, 5 meters up wind/current of a shallow bomby and a bit of breeze.
With 4 blokes holding boats apart and one watching for anchor dragging we rafted up hooked up leads and took 15 minutes to get enough boost to get started.
No problem, back at ramp at 1700. A carton was supplied despite our insisting it wasnt needed and the beer and cameraderie well savoured. No prob whatsoever there and its a good feeling to have helped, being a typically superstitous lifelong seafarer.
The irritatation? When we got there, another very modern boat was anchored less than 1km away who wasnt logged in and VHF "wasnt working".
The same day in Exmouth a bloke died and others pulled alive from the water.
If you dont feel you need to log in (as i hadnt on that particular day also) how would you feel if people drowned 1000m away while you sat anchored scratching your ass oblivious to their plight?
if your vessel is fitted with VHF, it is law that you monitor 16 at all times for this very reason.
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.
Georgejungle
Posts: 354
Date Joined: 25/03/09
Hi Rod I completely agree
Hi Rod I completely agree with your statement 100% however it is only law for commercial operators to monitor vhf16 constantly, I would of hope that the rec guys like yourself would all monitor 16 as well as you just showed it could save someone elses life. Amazing what happens when you actually leave the radio switched on. Good onya Rod bet that carton was tasty
Rob H
Posts: 5801
Date Joined: 18/01/12
You may be correct (havent
You may be correct (havent studied the legislation though i am commercial also) however it may be the case that once you have your MROP to use a VHF (required but not enforced it seems) then your obliged to use it under those Regs whether rec or commercial?
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.
sarcasm0
Posts: 1396
Date Joined: 25/06/09
http://www.transport.wa.gov.a
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/radios.asp
You must carry a marine band radio if you go more than five miles from the mainland shore. The choice of radios is up to you, it can be 27mHz, VHF or HF.
When at sea, you must have your radio turned on and tuned to the distress frequency.
If your radio is logged on with a shore station such as a Sea Rescue Group, you can stay on the working frequency of the station
When boating in the Northwest Cape region, we recommend that you carry a VHF radio. If you have a VHF you require a licence to operate it.
Tradewind
Posts: 756
Date Joined: 18/09/12
Good post RobIt also got me
Good post Rob
It also got me thinking that I should add jumper leads to the kit for times like that
Most people have two with an isolator but shit happens when you least expect it
Iceman
Posts: 747
Date Joined: 17/03/09
Dual Watch
When I had my boat I had both 27mhz and VHF radios. Once I had logged on 73VHF I would switch the radios to dual watch. This allows you to monitor both 16 & 73 on VHF and 27.88mhz and 27.90mhz. All modern radios have a dual watch button (DW)
Not all urgent call come in on the emergency channels.
I was fishing 15nm of Two Rock one day and picked up a mayday on 73vhf. Two Roicks sea rescue did not get the call so i was able to relay the message. The vessel was off Moore River taking on water but I was too far away to assist. Relayed position to Two Rocks and they despatched a vessel to assist.
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Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
Cant agree more. I always run
Cant agree more. I always run a dual watch or scan group. 16, 67, and 73, or the local working frequency. The greater the number of people listening, the safer it is for everyone.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
plus one for dual watch
I have both VHF and 27 meg and run both of them on dual watch just as you do Iceman, it's nice to know that you have most bases covered.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8669
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Monitoring
It surprises me how many turn their radio off as soon as they log on to sea rescue, the amount of times I've had to call someone back for more info and find you cannot contact them seconds after ending the call.
While in receive mode the radio uses bugger all power so there is no need to turn it off.
Now that we have a repeater on Cape Cuvier we have installed a third VHF radio so that we have one for each frequency we monitor so that if a call comes through we don't miss it.
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
Navigable Waters Regulations
Navigable Waters Regulations 1958
52BAA. Certain vessels to be equipped with marine transceiver
(1) The owner of a vessel that proceeds more than 5 nautical miles
from the mainland, or more than one nautical mile from an
island situated more than 5 nautical miles from the mainland,
must ensure that the vessel is equipped with a marine
transceiver approved by the Spectrum Management Authority of
the Commonwealth.
(2) Whilst the vessel is under way the transceiver referred to in
subregulation (1) must, when not used for other transmission,
remain switched on and tuned to the emergency distress calling
frequency or the working frequency of the shore station with
which the vessel is logged on.
So yes it is a requirement to leave your radio on, and tuned to either the distress or login frequency!
pakulacockroach
Posts: 87
Date Joined: 06/12/07
Scan
Is leaving the radio on & in the scan all channels mode effective, or best just to use dual watch?
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
The lower the number of
The lower the number of scanned channels the quicker it cycles through them, and you have less chance of missing an important call. Use dual watch (16 and your working/login freq) or if you want to scan just select the important ones for the area you are in.