Rosalie B. wrote:
"Roger Long" wrote:


Actually, I do know the lingo and that the radio has been a substitute
for the horns for a long time. This does make me realize something I
hadn't thought of though. I've been thinking they would be reluctant
to engage with every yacht out there but I'll bet it's similar to air
traffic controllers. When they hear a crisp and professional sounding
call up they give the pilot much different service than when someone
is stumbling and blubbering. I'm sure the commercial vessel captains
would respond to an efficient and proper call as well.


We fixed the radio mike so that we could get it from the helm (radio
was in the aft cabin). And we put the radio speakers in the cockpit
after we had an incident going through Norfolk very slowly so we would
get to the next bridge when it would be able to open, and we totally
did not hear or see a barge with a tow coming up behind us. A friend
(also behind us) called me on the radio and I heard that (because he
used my name).

As for efficient and proper - I'll repeat a story I've told before -
we were going to be going into the Lake Worth inlet (Palm Beach) and
Bob saw a small cruise ship called the Palm Beach Princess also
heading for the inlet, so he circled south of the inlet until they
started to enter, and then he told me to follow them while he got the
lines out and took the sails down. Suddenly I was CLOSING (rather
than just staying behind them) and I asked Bob if they were backing
up. He confirmed that they were. So I called nicely on the radio -
PBP, PBP, PBP this is RosalieAnn etc. First on Channel 16 and then
13. No response. I could see the people out on the bridge by now.
Finally in exasperation, I said "Palm Beach Princess WHAT ARE YOU
DOING???" Then they answered - they said they were waiting for the
pilot and I should just go in ahead of them.

Doesn't anyone but me have a handheld VHF sitting in the cup holder on
the pedestal available for immediate use? Why do all that rewiring.
Handhelds are inexpensive and convenient
krj