America’s Boating Course
3rd Edition
Communications Afloat
Chapter 3
Section 12
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1
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Communications Types
Distress
• Emergency calls
• Safety communication
Working
• Port communications
• Ship-to-ship communications
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2
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Radio vs Telephone
Cell phone
•
•
•
•
•
May be used to contact local law authority
Value at sea is limited
Coast guard can not find position
Transmission power of only 3 watts
Other boater in vicinity will not hear you
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3
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What is Marine VHF Radio?
Primary Radio for Coastal and Inland Boaters
•
•
•
•
NOAA Weather Forecasts
Summon Assistance
Communication - other boaters, shore facilities
Up to 25 watts of power
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4
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Channel Allocation
VHF radio is not required
• Highly recommended for safety
If radio is turned on – MUST monitor
• Channel 16 – distress
• Channel 9 – calling channel
Working channels
• 68, 69, 71, 72, 78
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5
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Radio Range
Line of Sight
• 25 NM (typical maximum range)
Actual Range based on:
• Height of antenna(s)
• Transmitted power
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6
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Equipment – Fixed Mount
Separate Antenna – higher
25 Watts (Transmit Power – high)
1 Watt (Transmit Power – low)
All new models equipped with Digital
Selective Calling (DSC)
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7
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Fixed Mount VHF Radios
Courtesy of ICOM
One Button
Distress
Microphone with
Transmit Button
(DSC Function)
On/Off
Volume
Channel
Selection
Up/Down
Channel 16/9
Button
Button to
Select
Weather
Channels
High/Low
Power Switch
Squelch
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8
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Equipment -- Handheld
Integrated Antenna (Rubber Ducky)
Lower height - less range
Lower Transmit Power – less range
5-6 Watts –High Transmit Power
• 1 watt -- Low Transmit Power
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Handheld VHF Radio
Antenna
On/Off
Volume
Speaker/Microphone
Weather/
Radio
Squelch Control
Channel
Selection
Up/Down
Channel 16/9
Instant Select
Power
High/Low
Key
Scan
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10
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Licenses -- Recreational
None Required If …
• Operating in U.S. Waters
• Boat LOA < 20 Meters (65 Feet)
Required If …
• Travel to Foreign Ports
(Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Etc)
• Communicate With Foreign Stations
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11
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Licenses -- Types
Obtained from the FCC
Station License for Boat (radio)
Restricted Radio Operator's Permit
• Required for each operator
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12
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Operating Procedures
Where Used:
• Only on boats
• Land operation requires special license
Limited to Essential Communications:
• Summon assistance
• Safety purposes
• Needs of the vessel
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13
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Channel Allocation
VHF Channels
Purpose
06
Ship to Ship Safety
09
Alternate Calling Channel – some areas
13
Navigation Safety – ship to ship, locks, bridges
16
Calling, Emergency, Distress
22A
Use only when directed by Coast Guard
68, 69, 71, 72, 78
Working Channels for Recreational Boats
WX1, WX2, … WX9
Weather (receive only)
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14
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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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15
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Routine DSC Calls
DSC not just for Emergencies
• Routine calls to a specific vessel (MMSI)
• Routine calls to a shore facility (MMSI)
• Group Calls (based on pre-defined MMSI)
You pre-select working channel
• Other radios auto switch to that channel for voice
Audio Signal
• Sounds only on selected recipients’ radios
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16
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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 by 2007
Takes the "Search" out of Search and Rescue
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Rescue 21
WAIT
Animated
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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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19
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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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20
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Procedure Words (1)
THIS IS
Preface to your call sign
ROGER
Last transmission received OK
OVER
I’m done, you can (talk) answer
OUT
I’m done, Goodbye
WILCO
ROGER and I will comply
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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Procedure Words (2)
WAIT
I will be back in a few seconds
SAY AGAIN
Say that again
CORRECTION
Oops! I really meant to say
AFFIRMATIVE
Yes
NEGATIVE
No
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Emergency Calls
Mayday
Pan-pan
Securité
Responding to
emergency call
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23
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Mayday
For assistance with immediate danger to
life and property
Examples:
•
•
•
•
Life-threatening medical
Person lost overboard
Boat sinking
Boat on fire
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24
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Mayday Info
Location
Nature of distress
Description of boat
Number of persons aboard (injured)
Seaworthiness of boat
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25
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Mayday Call
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
THIS IS SAILBOAT
WINDSONG,
WINDSONG,
VESSEL
CALLING
MAYDAY
THIS
IS COAST
THIS
IS
SAILBOAT
WINDSONG
WINDSONG.
MAYDAY
WINDSONG.
OVER
GUARD
STATION
CORTEZ.
WHAT’S
THE NATURE
MY POSITION APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES
OFF
OF YOURKEY
DISTRESS
AND YOU
POSITION.
OVER.
EGMONT
- COMPASS
BEARING
120. SLOWLY
Loud
SINKING. ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME ONE HOUR.
Audio to
FOUR PERSONS ABOARD, ONE INJURED,
Follow
FRACTURED
LEG.
WE
SAILBOAT,
SAILBOAT WINDSONGARE
THIS25
ISFOOT
STATION
CORTEZ.
COLOR
WITH
BLUE
TRIM.
VESSELWHITE
42136 IS
ON THE
WAY
TO YOUR
WINDSONG:
OVER.
POSITION.
COAST
GUARD OUT.
Sound
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26
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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
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27
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Securité
(say-cure-it-tay)
For navigation safety messages
Examples:
• To report a navigational hazard (sunken
object)
• Operational signals (backing out of a slip)
• Weather Alerts
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28
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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
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29
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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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30
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Radio Check
To verify radio works
Use calling or working channel
Limit use
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31
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NOAA Channels
Broadcast weather reports
Includes marine specific data
Channel depends
on location
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32
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Offshore
High-frequency single sideband
• Channels for marine use
• Requires license
Satellite
• Similar to cell phone
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33
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EPIRBs
Can transmit ID & homing signal
May be water activated
Primarily for offshore use
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34 LAST
End Chapter 3
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
35
END