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Automatic distress VHF radios
I was looking at one of the new VHF radios today that has a data plug
to connect to the GPS. It sends out a preformatted distress message with the boat’s position when you push the panic button on the panel. This seems like a great idea for someone who cruises with kids, family, and friends. Even if they are trained and drilled in reading the GPS and making radio calls, being able to immediately turn their attention to the emergency, like getting the skipper back on board, would be a plus. If there was a fire or sudden flooding, you could evacuate the boat and the radio would keep broadcasting longer than a person could stay on board. I know that direct communication is best when possible but I can see circumstances where this could be a lifesaver. However, I’m wondering. Will the USCG just ignore calls like this thinking, "Some kid hit a button again.", or wait for direct contact? Does anybody have any direct experience, feedback, or blatheringly inane and useless observations on these units? -- Roger Long |
Automatic distress VHF radios
I'll blather a little on this one.
I bought an Icom 502 VHF with the RAM mic. I really like it. I wish it would accept the SeaTalk from my Raymarine GPS though. But I'm going to buy an NEMA GPS antenna and complete the installation anyway. It just make too much sense. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
-- Roger Long "Roger Long" wrote in message .. . I was looking at one of the new VHF radios today that has a data plug to connect to the GPS. It sends out a preformatted distress message with the boat's position when you push the panic button on the panel. This seems like a great idea for someone who cruises with kids, family, and friends. Even if they are trained and drilled in reading the GPS and making radio calls, being able to immediately turn their attention to the emergency, like getting the skipper back on board, would be a plus. If there was a fire or sudden flooding, you could evacuate the boat and the radio would keep broadcasting longer than a person could stay on board. I know that direct communication is best when possible but I can see circumstances where this could be a lifesaver. However, I'm wondering. Will the USCG just ignore calls like this thinking, "Some kid hit a button again.", or wait for direct contact? Does anybody have any direct experience, feedback, or blatheringly inane and useless observations on these units? -- Roger Long |
Automatic distress VHF radios
This is worth reading.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm -- Roger Long "Roger Long" wrote in message .. . I was looking at one of the new VHF radios today that has a data plug to connect to the GPS. It sends out a preformatted distress message with the boat's position when you push the panic button on the panel. This seems like a great idea for someone who cruises with kids, family, and friends. Even if they are trained and drilled in reading the GPS and making radio calls, being able to immediately turn their attention to the emergency, like getting the skipper back on board, would be a plus. If there was a fire or sudden flooding, you could evacuate the boat and the radio would keep broadcasting longer than a person could stay on board. I know that direct communication is best when possible but I can see circumstances where this could be a lifesaver. However, I'm wondering. Will the USCG just ignore calls like this thinking, "Some kid hit a button again.", or wait for direct contact? Does anybody have any direct experience, feedback, or blatheringly inane and useless observations on these units? -- Roger Long |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:59:48 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote: This is worth reading. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm I am not sure about the US, but in Canada an endorsement to your VHF Restricted Operator's Certificate is required. The Digital Selective calling component is another plus. Jack |
Automatic distress VHF radios
"Roger Long" wrote in news:kszBf.114790$ME5.66716
@twister.nyroc.rr.com: However, I'm wondering. Will the USCG just ignore calls like this thinking, "Some kid hit a button again.", or wait for direct contact? If the CG has the channel 70 capability at all.....and watches it. The emergency declaration money is MUCH better spent on the best GPS- equipped 406 Mhz EPIRB you can get. Then, you don't lose the communications, just because the boat sank or the batteries got flooded. If the boat sinks, suddenly, all you need to is throw the seawater- activated 406 Mhz EPIRB overboard, tied off to your liferaft, and it activates itself, sending your boat information, exact position, etc., to the overhead cluster of LEO satellites, anywhere on the planet. NOONE ignores a 406 EPIRB event. EVERYONE ignores a 121.5 Mhz EPIRB event because so many go off by themselves in parked airplanes and there's no satellite system backing them up. I wouldn't sail offshore without a 406 EPIRB aboard. It's stupid after so much effort was put into making the system work so well, just to save the sailor a few hundred dollars.... Ours is attached to the end of the ditchbag, always at hand. It also has a strobe that will blind you for when the chopper is close to pick up the dead bodies. The emergency VHF button is a waste of time because you'll be out of range when you need it most. 406 EPIRB is NEVER out of range....even in Kansas, Dorothy. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
"Larry" wrote The emergency VHF button is a waste
of time because you'll be out of range when you need it most. True, but I'm just looking at coastal sailing in Maine at this point. There are a lot of boats around and many of them commercial and USCG inspected so it's pretty likely someone will pick up the signal. Offshore, the 406 certainly. The 125.5's really are useless. I used to be in the Civil Air Patrol and they couldn't even find them when they were going off on the airport. -- Roger Long |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:26:39 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote: True, but I'm just looking at coastal sailing in Maine at this point. There are a lot of boats around and many of them commercial and USCG inspected so it's pretty likely someone will pick up the signal. Coastal Maine there is always someone around on channel 16. It's really difficult to get out of sight of at least several working lobster boats in my experience. You have to speak their language of course, ayep. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Ok, here is a direct observation - last weekend we were sailing offshore
between Cape Fear and the St. John's River and heard a VHF CH 16 Coast Guard "Pan Pan Pan. We have received a DSC distress signal from an unidentified vessel at an unknown location. All vessels are requested to report any information . . .etc." Or words more or less to that effect. This was repeated a few times but then that was the end of it. So, the Coast Guard *is* listening for DSC emergency signals at at least some locations. And, the DSC service is useless unless the owner goes to the trouble to register it. In this case, who knows -- childsplay, drunken tomfoolery, a mistake, or maybe even a legitimate distress call from an unregistered radio. Scott "Dave" wrote in message ... On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:17:20 GMT, "Roger Long" said: However, I'm wondering. Will the USCG just ignore calls like this thinking, "Some kid hit a button again.", or wait for direct contact? Dunno about the model you looked at, but on mine, at least, you have to lift a plastic tab to get at the button, so a kid has to be trying if he's to hit the button. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Dave wrote in
: On the contrary, many if not most of us do our cruising within VHF range of at least some other vessels. And since the radios automatically pick up transmissions on Channel 70, all you need is another vessel with the capability in the vicinity. You are aware that ships on automatic don't even have people on the bridge to hear it, right? Call 'em on the radio on 16 and see if you can raise 'em. Those other boats are monitoring their "fishing channel", talking to their buddies. None of them have full-blown Channel 70 GMDSS systems. If they have any DSC at all, it's transmit-only just like yours. The 406 EPIRB isn't by chance that someone will listen...... You just need to determine if life is worth the money. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:12:02 GMT, Jack Dale
wrote: On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:59:48 GMT, "Roger Long" wrote: This is worth reading. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm I am not sure about the US, but in Canada an endorsement to your VHF Restricted Operator's Certificate is required. The Digital Selective calling component is another plus. Jack No - a DSC endorsment is not required in Canada (not yet, anyway), but all new operator certificates will include a DSC endorsement. Canadian Power Squadrons does offer a separate manual and exam for the DSC endorsment for current holders of an operator's certificate. -- Peter Bennett VE7CEI email: peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca GPS and NMEA info and programs: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/index.html Newsgroup new user info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:05:34 -0500, Larry wrote:
You are aware that ships on automatic don't even have people on the bridge to hear it, right? Call 'em on the radio on 16 and see if you can raise 'em. But if you call them on 70 with DSC, an alarm will sound. Those other boats are monitoring their "fishing channel", talking to their buddies. None of them have full-blown Channel 70 GMDSS systems. If they have any DSC at all, it's transmit-only just like yours. Even the primitive SC-101 grade DSC radios will receive DSC calls if enabled, and will sound an alarm for distress calls. Unfortunately, some SC-101 radios come with the channel 70 receive function disabled. The 406 EPIRB isn't by chance that someone will listen...... I understand that it may take an hour or more after an EPIRB is activated before the appropriate authorities are notified. DSC notification is immediate. IMPORTANT!! - the DSC distress call (and other DSC calling functions) WILL NOT work unless an MMSI is programmed into the radio. Also, the radio should be connected to a GPS receiver to permit it to provide your correct position. -- Peter Bennett VE7CEI email: peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca GPS and NMEA info and programs: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/index.html Newsgroup new user info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On 24 Jan 2006 20:07:01 -0600, Dave wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:17:20 GMT, "Roger Long" said: However, I’m wondering. Will the USCG just ignore calls like this thinking, "Some kid hit a button again.", or wait for direct contact? Dunno about the model you looked at, but on mine, at least, you have to lift a plastic tab to get at the button, so a kid has to be trying if he's to hit the button. On the radios I've looked at, you also have to hold the button for a few seconds, and/or do it twice, before the distress call is sent. -- Peter Bennett VE7CEI email: peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca GPS and NMEA info and programs: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/index.html Newsgroup new user info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq |
Automatic distress VHF radios
You are aware that ships on automatic don't even have people
on the bridge to hear it, right? Call 'em on the radio on 16 and see if you can raise 'em. Larry... I spend a considerable amount of time on a small container ship that runs from the West Coast to several regular ports of call in the South Pacific. It takes us almost thirty (30) days (most of which is sea time) to complete a round. Any how... while at sea... even though we are on auto pilot... we *always* maintain a bridge watch 24 hours a day. The Master and the two senior deck officers maintain shifts inorder to do so. Theo- retically... an A.B. is on the bridge as well... but they are never present... unless we go off A.P. then they assume the helmsman duties. Never the less... the watch is kind of a joke... especially way out to sea in very lightly traveled shipping lanes... such as ours. Note: We maintain an approximate heading of 202 degrees from the time we leave the Golden Gate to outside of Papeete. Often as not... the bridge duty officer is preoccuppied with constant paper work and on going questions that are generated over the air waves by the charter much less the ship's owner. The VHF unit may or may not be on...and if so... the squelch threshhold level is set so high... that an outside party would have to be right next door... to break through. So the laypersons perception of a typical bridge watch... the duty officer walking around with binocular in hand... constantly scanning the surrounding seas about him... tain't necessaryily so... at least when far out to sea. A MOB situation is even more distressing (no pun intended). Beside not having the time to constantly view the immediate area around the ship... spotting such a victim is not that easy. From the heights of the bridge your are but a small speck in the ocean to the naked eye... and it would probably be just pure luck to be observed. Just my two cents worth... relative to manned bridge watches. Bill |
Automatic distress VHF radios
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Automatic distress VHF radios
In article ,
Dave wrote: On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:05:34 -0500, Larry said: If they have any DSC at all, it's transmit-only just like yours. Perhaps you could explain the following from the manual for one of the common VHF units: "Receiving an All Ships Call If you are currently on a selected working channel or private channel, in the Monitor mode, or in the Scan mode, the radio automatically enters DSC mode when an All Ships Call is received. The type of call is displayed in the small channel display and an alarm is sounded. Press the DSC/PRI key once and the radio automatically selects channel 16. There is no acknowledge required for an All Ships Call. If you do not wish to accept the call, press the 16 key to exit the DSC mode." Yep, the above IS correct. However, look at what it really says..... "IF" you are in the "Monitor Mode", or the "SCAN Mode" then your radio will respond to a DSC Call, but only IF it isn't already receiving on another channel, AND the DSC Call lasts long enough for the scan rate of the receiver to get to Ch 70, and decode a complete DSC Sentance.... otherwise you don't get any indication that a DSC Call was ever received. Are you willing to BET your LIFE, that other boaters IN your area, understand how to correctly operate their DSC equiped radio, AND will respond to your call? This IS Exactly Why, the 406 EPIRB is required equipment on any FVSA Compulsury Required Vessels AND any SOLAS Required Vessels, and is the PRIMARY Distress Notification Device aboard. It WORKS, and has a Proven SAR Track Record. Bruce in alaska -- add a 2 before @ |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Now you've done it! Shot down the whole basis for the constant
claims of the know-it-all crowd that bridges on commercial vessels aren't manned much of the time. Dave... My knowledge of the SOP of bridge watches aboard commercial vessels in general... is very limited. It could well be that some Masters *are* rather lax about bridge duty while underway out in the middle of nowhere and on auto pilot. I am only familiar with the container ship that I hang out with. And yeh they do the 24 thing... but subject to the distractions that I posted earlier. I suspect too... that in the middle of the night and early morning hours things can get a little sleepy up there... if you get my drift. I know our wheel house though very spacious... was quite comfortable and cozy as well. (smile) I failed to mention this little bit of nautical trivia in my earlier posting. The engine room no longer has to be personally manned 24 hours like it use to be. This may be where some of the confusion has come from relative to unmanned duty stations. The chief engineering officer and his crew have computer alarm systems in their personal accomodations that are activated when they are done for the day down below. The electrical engineer's (who's part of the "blackgang") cabin was right next to mine... and often I would hear that alarm going off during the night for one mec- hanical problem or another. Then followed by the chief engineers pitter patter of foot steps running down the stair well to supervise the incident. Or if you didn't hear the alarms... another attention getter was to wake up in the middle of the night and experience total silence... the engine has shut down. You get so use to the rumble of the engine and propeller shaft... that the silence is almost deafen- ing... so to speak. One thing about it though... you knew the engine crew had a problem going on. If necessary... soon the back up engine(s) would be started up and at least our electrical capabilities would be reinstated... until such time the "main" could be fired up and we could get underway again. Note: On this particular vessel the main engine not only propelled the ship but provided the electrical as well. The two back ups were not operational at sea (only in port)... or per the aforemen- tioned circumstances. Bill |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Dave wrote:
On 25 Jan 2006 11:38:59 -0800, said: The VHF unit may or may not be on...and if so... the squelch threshhold level is set so high... that an outside party would have to be right next door... to break through. Now you've done it! Shot down the whole basis for the constant claims of the know-it-all crowd that bridges on commercial vessels aren't manned much of the time. I am in the Navy. We hail passing commercial ships where ever we go and keep a continuous picture of who is where (linked to other naval units throughout the hemisphere). We rarely don't get an answer. It is the law to keep a proper watch and most ships play by the internationally accepted rules. If the previous poster - billwarnock - is a watchkeeper on that container ship then he is a very poor one. If he is a passenger he is riding on a very poorly run ship. If he is crew then he should report the command team. Likely it is nothing but exageration. Few ships steam around without a proper watch "by all available means" these days. Gaz |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Bruce in Alaska wrote:
In article , Dave wrote: On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:05:34 -0500, Larry said: If they have any DSC at all, it's transmit-only just like yours. Perhaps you could explain the following from the manual for one of the common VHF units: "Receiving an All Ships Call If you are currently on a selected working channel or private channel, in the Monitor mode, or in the Scan mode, the radio automatically enters DSC mode when an All Ships Call is received. The type of call is displayed in the small channel display and an alarm is sounded. Press the DSC/PRI key once and the radio automatically selects channel 16. There is no acknowledge required for an All Ships Call. If you do not wish to accept the call, press the 16 key to exit the DSC mode." Yep, the above IS correct. However, look at what it really says..... "IF" you are in the "Monitor Mode", or the "SCAN Mode" then your radio will respond to a DSC Call, but only IF it isn't already receiving on another channel, AND the DSC Call lasts long enough for the scan rate of the receiver to get to Ch 70, and decode a complete DSC Sentance.... otherwise you don't get any indication that a DSC Call was ever received. Are you willing to BET your LIFE, that other boaters IN your area, understand how to correctly operate their DSC equiped radio, AND will respond to your call? This IS Exactly Why, the 406 EPIRB is required equipment on any FVSA Compulsury Required Vessels AND any SOLAS Required Vessels, and is the PRIMARY Distress Notification Device aboard. It WORKS, and has a Proven SAR Track Record. Bruce in alaska When you compare VHF radios with EPIRBs you are comparing apples and oranges. VHF radios are for short range comms including distress and calling. (even the DSC ones) EPIRB are locator beacons used to help find the beacon (hopefully associated with an emergency) EPIRBs are not designed to be tossed over the side willy nilly for fire and flood or what ever. They won't let the guy two miles off your starboard quarter know you have a problem. VHF will. Gaz |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Do those container ships ever carry passengers? Just curious.
Gordon wrote in message oups.com... Now you've done it! Shot down the whole basis for the constant claims of the know-it-all crowd that bridges on commercial vessels aren't manned much of the time. Dave... My knowledge of the SOP of bridge watches aboard commercial vessels in general... is very limited. It could well be that some Masters *are* rather lax about bridge duty while underway out in the middle of nowhere and on auto pilot. I am only familiar with the container ship that I hang out with. And yeh they do the 24 thing... but subject to the distractions that I posted earlier. I suspect too... that in the middle of the night and early morning hours things can get a little sleepy up there... if you get my drift. I know our wheel house though very spacious... was quite comfortable and cozy as well. (smile) I failed to mention this little bit of nautical trivia in my earlier posting. The engine room no longer has to be personally manned 24 hours like it use to be. This may be where some of the confusion has come from relative to unmanned duty stations. The chief engineering officer and his crew have computer alarm systems in their personal accomodations that are activated when they are done for the day down below. The electrical engineer's (who's part of the "blackgang") cabin was right next to mine... and often I would hear that alarm going off during the night for one mec- hanical problem or another. Then followed by the chief engineers pitter patter of foot steps running down the stair well to supervise the incident. Or if you didn't hear the alarms... another attention getter was to wake up in the middle of the night and experience total silence... the engine has shut down. You get so use to the rumble of the engine and propeller shaft... that the silence is almost deafen- ing... so to speak. One thing about it though... you knew the engine crew had a problem going on. If necessary... soon the back up engine(s) would be started up and at least our electrical capabilities would be reinstated... until such time the "main" could be fired up and we could get underway again. Note: On this particular vessel the main engine not only propelled the ship but provided the electrical as well. The two back ups were not operational at sea (only in port)... or per the aforemen- tioned circumstances. Bill |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:03:27 GMT, Gary wrote:
They won't let the guy two miles off your starboard quarter know you have a problem. VHF will. Absolutely, just call mayday on channel 16. You'll get quicker results in most places, and hopefully you already know your lat/lon. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
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Automatic distress VHF radios
Dave wrote in news:5uegt152h7stj7slpie2r1sk7el7s4e3tc@
4ax.com: That was my Navy experience as well, though we didn't have that much occasion to hail commercial ships. Drivers keep a careful watch on the speedometer on the Interstate when they know the cops are around, too, you know. No cops (Navy)...well, some let it slide. Of course, we are talking about a US-licensed containership with a licensed captain, right?.....not some Liberian freighter with the crack crew of illegal misfits in some rusty bucket with a cracked #2 cylinder wall leaking lube oil into the bilge...that's never been inspected unless the drug cops show up. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Peter Bennett wrote in
: On the radios I've looked at, you also have to hold the button for a few seconds, and/or do it twice, before the distress call is sent. Y'all boys look under my berth. You'll find an old Motorola 3 watt AMPS bagphone that plugs into the 6db cellphone antenna 55' up on top of the mainmast. It's good to about 50 miles offshore in SC to call 911....(c; |
Automatic distress VHF radios
I may know my position. My kids may know how to read it off the GPS.
But, if I should go overboard, we won't know until after it happens if the lesson will stick in their minds when they are watching their father disappear astern. I know that everyone in this newsgroup always spends the first three hours when they take a guest sailing for the first time on man overboard drills and lessons in how to use the radio and GPS (right). I don't know whether those lessons will stick under duress either. It isn't just going overboard. The outcome of a fall, heart attack, stroke, getting hit by the boom, could be very different. Even if I'm not disabled, being able to attend almost instantly to the emergency while the micro chips call for the calvary could significantly increase the odds. I'm always amazed at how these threads get into "either / or" and "which is best" spats. It's like arguing which is more important to have in your onboard tool box, pliers, or a screwdriver. If I see another boat and have time, I'll hail on 16 and avoid stirring up the whole system. If I'm on fire and can't get it out, I'll push the button and jump into the dinghy. If I'm sinking offshore, I'll have and use the 406. It's a toolbox and DCS is a great new tool. -- Roger Long "Wayne.B" wrote in message ... On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:03:27 GMT, Gary wrote: They won't let the guy two miles off your starboard quarter know you have a problem. VHF will. Absolutely, just call mayday on channel 16. You'll get quicker results in most places, and hopefully you already know your lat/lon. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Ignoring all the other stuff already posted, I comment that my cockpit radio
has DSC - at 99 bux. My nav table radio, with hailer, and DSC, was all of 169 bux. Anyone who can afford to be offshore shouldn't be unable to buy one of these straight up, never mind "upgrading"... Now, I'm looking for the integrated handheld GPS/VHF with that feature :{)) PS the SSB has it, too - and that *isn't* reliant on LOS tx/rx... L8R Skip, off to water therapy; moveaboard is approaching! -- Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC http://tinyurl.com/384p2 The vessel as Tehamana, as we bought her "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:33:41 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote: I'm always amazed at how these threads get into "either / or" and "which is best" spats. It's a fallacious form of argument you see used in politics all the time to push one agenda or another. "The money your want to spend on X could be better spent on [insert speaker's favorite hobby horse]." The fallacy is in arguing, not that it's a good idea to spend for [hobby horse], but that we've already addressed whether to spend the money and the only question is on what. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
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Automatic distress VHF radios
In article ,
Wayne.B wrote: On 25 Jan 2006 11:38:59 -0800, wrote: Often as not... the bridge duty officer is preoccuppied with constant paper work and on going questions that are generated over the air waves by the charter much less the ship's owner. Just curious whether you communicate via satellite or on HF radio. Most all comms from SOLAS Required Vessels, (anything over 300 Tons) these days is done via redundent INMARSAT Terminals with MF/HF Radios as a backup..... Bruce in alaska -- add a 2 before @ |
Automatic distress VHF radios
In article ,
"Gordon" wrote: Do those container ships ever carry passengers? Just curious. Gordon Most large commercial Cargo Ships are equipt to carry six, or less, Passengers onboard during voyages. If they should carry more than six, they would then be classed as a Passenger Ship, and would then need to comply with the SOLAS Requirements for a Passenger Ship, which are significanly more involved, that that of a Cargo Ship. Bruce in alaska -- add a 2 before @ |
Automatic distress VHF radios
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:33:41 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote: It's a toolbox and DCS is a great new tool. No argument there, it has good potential. I'm not sure it's quite ready for prime time however, and it is always good for at least one other person on board to know how to work the radio. |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Do those container ships ever carry passengers? Just curious.
Gordon... Some do. I believe they are all foreign flagged vessels... according to a friend of mine that is an electronics/radio officer for Matson... no American flagged commercial ships do this. I think one of the reasons for this type of occupancy (pax) being available is that the foreign flagged vessels have been allowed to cut back on some of the minimum crew compliment requirements in the past few years. To the best of my knowledge if they have the accommodations... they can bring aboard no more then 12 passengers... otherwise a medical doctor must be present as well. Bruce rendered a different opinion... and may be more up to speed about this sort of thing than I am. Any how... here is some info to get you started... The best web site that I know of concerning this type of cruising is at: http://www.geocities.com/freighterman.geo/ You can spend quite a bit of time viewing the links in "freighterman's" site. Judd Spittler has an excellant personal web site depicting his experiences... which can be seen at: http://www.juddspittler.com/freighterbum/index.htm My main squeeze for freighter bookings is with Joycene Deal at FreighterWorlds in Pasadena, California. For the record there are several other agencies around that specialize in this sort of thing besides Joycene's office. FreighterWorld also has a very informative site at: http://www.freighterworld.com/index.html The above references will keep you busy for quite awhile. Best regards Bill |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Dave wrote in
: What is your basis for believing that those who have these units don't use them? I was referring to what one poster said about they weren't for when you're stranded with a broken engine or out of fuel.... |
Automatic distress VHF radios
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Automatic distress VHF radios
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Automatic distress VHF radios
I am in the Navy. Gary... I am very familiar with your credentials... much less your contributions on this forum as well the chaotic A.S.A gang. I have enjoyed your past postings and feel that the viewing public has benefitted quite a bit from your expertise as a seaman and naval officer with an active command assignment (HMCS Oriole). Having said that... I will cut the crap and get to the chase so to speak. Few ships steam around without a proper watch... While I am unqualified to make such a statement... I did try to indicate to a poster who questioned this fact... that in my limited experience aboard one particular vessel we *did* maintain a 24 hour bridge watch... albeit with certain distractions. If the previous poster - billwarnock... is a passenger he is riding on a very poorly run ship. I feel that was a rather harsh generalization to make based on my limited commentary. I guess I should have said something about all the numerious type drills (abandon ship... fire... hazmat...terrorist etc..) that were routinely undertaken and on a continuing basis. Or the daily inspections made by the Master and deck officers throughout the vessel during the day and night. Or the two hour saftey classes (all hands... excluding the bridge watch)held every Friday afternoon with questions and expected correct answers. Or the real lifeboat launch with some crew aboard...which can sometimes be hazardous to one's well being... sprained backs etc.. Their lifeboat is one that looks like a giant hi top shoe that's sits way above the poop deck on a launching ramp... and when the coxswain pulls the releasing hooks... the lifeboat flies off the end of the stern into the water... reminding you of something like a Disneyland ride. Because of the possibility of injury in this type of a drill... it wasn't done any more than what the law required... I believe every three months. Or some of our fire drills... when the chief engineer would literally start a controlled fire (in a safe area of course) so that the fire fighting detail would have to experience the use of their breathing apparatus and making their way in a smoke filled invironment with limited vision and sense of direction. We hail passing commercial ships where ever we go... And I am very certain that on our ship... who ever was the duty officer on the bridge would make sure that his communication abilities were functional and would be responsive to any *official* vessel that was hailing. On the other hand... I sailed with one master (Russian) who wouldn't bother to talk with one of our sister ships going the other way... for whatever reason. Now the authorities... he was always commutative for obvious reasons Likely it is nothing but exageration. Gary... I attempt to write honestly and openingly (to a fault sometimes) even my email address is for real. Accordingly I did not mean to exaggerate things as I saw them on the bridge of my ship. Then again my writtings are subject to my perception of things... Being an ex Marine (FMF) I was on a myriad of Navy vessels... and some what exposed to this type of maritime environment and discipline required to keep things running smoothly. On a small foreign flagged container ship with a minimally staffed multi national crew... was a whole different ball game altogether. Yet, from what I saw on this ship, the officers and crew were credentialed and capable and ran an impeccably well maintained ship. I don't know if you have had much prolonged exposure to this type of a maritime setting... but trust me... it's quite a trip. :-) Best regards Bill |
Automatic distress VHF radios
Dave wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 22:49:39 -0500, Larry said: Drivers keep a careful watch on the speedometer on the Interstate when they know the cops are around, too, you know. No cops (Navy)...well, some let it slide. I think you may have a fundamental misconception about what the Navy does. A misconception not shared by most other mariners. Concur! Gaz |
Automatic distress VHF radios
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Automatic distress VHF radios
a Raymarine junction box will let you feed your GPS antenna's signal to the RCA plug on the Icom, to a Big Bay ( marinized PC ). It's just a terminal strip inside a box. Just a thought... |
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