Ferry encounter
 

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
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.

--

Roger Long



"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 11:40:02 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I'm not sure the ferry captains would care or bother to yak with every
small boat out there. I'm quite comfortable with the radio.

Most commercial vessels monitor 13 and 16 all of the time and are
quick to respond to a call on 13 in my experience. You need to learn
their language with regard to passing on "one whistle" or "two
whistles". That's how they generally communicate with each other and
it's much more effective than actual horn signals.

My experience is that very, very few "yachts" bother to contact the boats on
13 or VTS on 14. Having monitored 13 on the bay, I can't think of a call
I've heard in the last couple of years, other than the time we hailed a
tanker just to be sure of her course. The answer was quite timely and
accurate.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Ferry encounter
 

"krj" wrote in message
...
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

I always bring my handheld in my foulie pocket and typically there's a spare
handheld on the boat that is charged by shore power.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Ferry encounter
 

"Capt. JG" wrote:

"krj" wrote in message
t...
Rosalie B. wrote:

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).

snip
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

What cup holder? We have a pocket on the side of the pedestal for a
winch handle - no cup holder. Don't really need one - neither of us
drinks coffee.

What rewiring? Our boat came with the radio mounted just inside the
aft companionway (center cockpit boat) which is right next to the helm
seat. Why should we use a handheld when we have a radio right next to
the helm which has an antenna up the mast already? The speaker is
within arms reach of the helmsman.

I always bring my handheld in my foulie pocket and typically there's a spare
handheld on the boat that is charged by shore power.

We do have a handheld but we don't use it very often. To use a
handheld, you have to hold it in your hand. That means one hand less
for doing other things.

Ferry encounter
 

In article ,
Wayne.B wrote:

On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 11:40:02 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I'm not sure the ferry captains would care or bother to yak with every
small boat out there. I'm quite comfortable with the radio.

Most commercial vessels monitor 13 and 16 all of the time and are
quick to respond to a call on 13 in my experience. You need to learn
their language with regard to passing on "one whistle" or "two
whistles". That's how they generally communicate with each other and
it's much more effective than actual horn signals.


ANY vessel, over 20 Meters in length, or over 100 Tons and carring one
or more Passengers for Hire, and in US Waters, is REQUIRED to have VHF
Channel 13 monitored, 24/7 by the Person On Watch and responcible for
the Navigation of that Vessel, by the Bridge to Bridge Radiotelephone
Act or SubPart U of Part 90 CFR 47. Failure to Respond, that results in
an Inquiry will cost that person, at a minimum a License Suspention,
and a Revocation if a serious incident occured.

Vessels that are in a VTS Traffic System, may suspend a Listen Watch
on Marine Ch 16, if they are in communication with the VTS Center, but
they MUST still maintain the Marine Ch 13 Watch, WHENEVER the vessel is
underway.

Most vessels monitor Marine Ch 13, while underway, even if they aren't
so required, just so they can keep up with what is happening around them.

Most commercial vessels will have two VHF Radios active while underway.
One on Marine 16, and one on Marine 13, and they will use the radio that
is on Marine 16 for routine communications on other Marine Radio Channels
as required for operational communications, and then return to Marine
Ch 16, when not activly communicating on another working channel.


Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

Ferry encounter
 

Bruce in Alaska wrote:

ANY vessel, over 20 Meters in length, or over 100 Tons and carring one
or more Passengers for Hire, and in US Waters, is REQUIRED to have VHF
Channel 13 monitored, 24/7 by the Person On Watch and responcible for
the Navigation of that Vessel, by the Bridge to Bridge Radiotelephone
Act or SubPart U of Part 90 CFR 47. Failure to Respond, that results in
an Inquiry will cost that person, at a minimum a License Suspention,
and a Revocation if a serious incident occured.

Vessels that are in a VTS Traffic System, may suspend a Listen Watch
on Marine Ch 16, if they are in communication with the VTS Center, but
they MUST still maintain the Marine Ch 13 Watch, WHENEVER the vessel is
underway.

Most vessels monitor Marine Ch 13, while underway, even if they aren't
so required, just so they can keep up with what is happening around them.

Most commercial vessels will have two VHF Radios active while underway.
One on Marine 16, and one on Marine 13, and they will use the radio that
is on Marine 16 for routine communications on other Marine Radio Channels
as required for operational communications, and then return to Marine
Ch 16, when not activly communicating on another working channel.


Bruce in alaska

These are, of course, American rules. In Canada everyone monitors 16 or
the local Vessel Traffic Management channel. But, they do listen and
respond when called, as required by law.

I also agree with the handheld crowd. I try to always have one in my
pocket for both routine comms and in case I fall off!

As far as whistles are concerned, those little tiny compressed air horns
that are so annoying can be heard a long way and also fit in a pocket.

Gary