Ship to Shore Radio's Safety info & Links

Sat, 01 Apr 2017 10:47:16 GMT

The lowly VHF radio remains the most versatile communication device for a boat. It is the only communication device many pleasure boats are equipped with, and it is required by law before you can put any other marine radio aboard. Due in part to its universality, the VHF is arguably the most valuable piece of safety gear aboard, delivering any call for assistance to dozens or hundreds of nearby listening ears.

Cellular telephones work aboard as long as you are not out of range of a shoreside tower, but the cell phone is not a substitute for the VHF. Well away from shore a cell phone will not work at all, and even within cell coverage the quickest aid in a real emergency will come from another vessel nearby. Unless someone you know is aboard, you cannot get their attention with a cell phone.

Using a VHF radio is as easy as announcing yourself on an apartment intercom. Turn the power on, set the channel to 16, and listen for a few seconds. If Channel 16 isn't in use, key the microphone--meaning squeeze the transmit button on its side--and say the name of the boat you are calling twice, followed by the name of your boat, and then "over." Release the mike button.

Radio conversations are not private. When you talk on the VHF, everyone within range tuned to that channel is listening.

Regulations require radio conversations to be for "operational" purposes and not for social chit-chat--say, talk about sports, movies, or shoreside activities. Also watch your language; not only is profanity over the air against the law, it will be particularly offensive to other boaters with children aboard.

The five channels designated for non- commercial ship-to-ship communications are 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78A. Channel 9 used to be in this group, but has been redesignated as an alternate calling (but not distress) channel. A radio conversation ties up the channel you are using. No one else within a 25 to 30 mile radius can use it until you sign off. This is significant because only five channels are legitimately available for pleasure-boat-to-pleasure-boat communication.

Digital Selective Calling

The DSC operating mode that is a feature of all fixed-mount marine radios built since 1999 can, with the push of a single button, send out an automatic distress call to the Coast Guard's Rescue 21 system as well as to all DSC-equipped radios on vessels within your transmission range. You also need a Marine Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, which you can obtain through BoatUS.

Emergencies

If you have a life-threatening emergency and you have a DSC radio aboard, activating the Distress button is where to start. However, as there is no requirement for nearby vessels to have DSC capability, your DSC distress may go unanswered, in which case you will need to broadcast your distress on Channel 16. There is a "procedure" for sending out a distress call, but all you really need to know is to turn your VHF to Channel 16 and to high power, key the mike, and say "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. My location is ________ and my boat is sinking" (or whatever your emergency may be.) Also include a physical description of your boat.

If you don't get an immediate response keep periodically sending out a Mayday broadcast as long as the radio will function, taking care to give your position with every transmission. If time permits, scan through the other channels and interrupt any radio traffic you hear with your Mayday broadcast. If you don't hear traffic, try transmitting on Coast Guard Channel 22A.

If your emergency isn't immediately life threatening, activating the DSC distress button may not be appropriate. Try raising the Coast Guard and/or other vessels in the vicinity on Channel 16, saying Pan-Pan instead of Mayday.

Lucas Drowning, "Electric Shock Drowning"

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:52:03 GMT

The Authorities explained to Kevin Ritz that his 8 year old son had expired. The Officials claim this tragedy was the result of Lucas Ritz drowning. His father Kevin Ritz could not accept this explanation because of the fact that Lucas wore a Life Jacket with a special flap to keep his head above water. The Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death could not have been drowning as no water was found in his lungs. They soon discovered a boat that was docked in the Portland, OR marina where Lucas swam was leaking 120 volts of electricity. On that beautiful day, in August 1999, Lucas had no idea he was about to swim in energized water that would cause him to suffer electric shock drowning. When he jumped into the water the electricity shocked his heart immediately. Kevin Ritz learned that many others where passing away from same issue, "Electric Shock Drowning". The family created an organization to inform other about the risks of Electric Shock Drowning. We urge people to "STAY OUT" of the water where boats are plugged into the docks electrical outlet. Many of these tragic deaths go unreported. The victims' autopsies show no sign of electrical injury. Most people think these deaths are freak accidents only to find out they are much more. PLEASE, use this as a learning, prevention to protect your children, family, friends, and self. www.electricshockdrowning.org

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Ship to Shore Radio's Safety info & Links

Lucas Drowning, "Electric Shock Drowning"