Advising the CG of a channel crossing

[sabresailor]

Can folks please advise on the correct procedure for andvising ther CG of a 'passage' (P/mouth via Yarmouth to Cherbourg next) + more importantly advising them of safe arrival etc.

Cheers

Mike

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[steve_cronin]

On CH16 (although the old GC66 paper scheme still exists I believe)

"Solent coastguard (3 times) this is ......... safety traffic please"

He will then reply and offer you to go to (prob) ch67.

Here you will advise him that you wish to lodge passage details.

Start with Name of Vessel and callsign, Origin and destination, number of persons on board and ETA and speak slowly so that he can write it down. Remember also that the operator you initially spoke to on 16 may not be the one who takes down your passage details on the working channel so don't be surprised to hear a different voice. You may also get asked if you have a liferaft or other questions regarding the identification of your boat (hull colour etc)

Reporting in from Cherbourg via VHF will put you at the limit of range for Solent and you will only just communicate with Portland to get them to pass on your arrival. Do it outside the Grand rade for best results. However there isn't actually a requirement to "report in" but it is welcomed. Do it by mobile phone to the number in the almanac if you like.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Tekkie]

Agree with everything Steve say's however if you have registerd on the CG66 scheme, either on paper or on-line, you probably won't be asked for to many details about the vessel. This will already be available to the CG. In my opinion another bonus in regestring.

Have a safe crossing.

Brian

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[Cantata]

Just to expand on Steve's comment re CG66.....
The new scheme has a database online to all CG Centres, so if you have registered on the new scheme, tell the fella on the radio and he'll skip asking details about the boat. He may ask for the international callsign in order to pull up the computer record.
The old paper scheme may still be in use but if so it's only accessable at the centre which was originally sent the bit of paper.
There is no requirement to call in and say you've arrived, as they won't initiate any enquiries or search for you unless someone else calls in to say you are overdue. However, as Steve says, they seem pleased if you do take the trouble to tell them. Whether they actually do anything with that info, I don't know.

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[pragmatist]

But would you want to ? If you listen to the CG in S Devon they sound sincerely hacked off every time anyone logs a passage with them. The only exception was someone heading for Spain who got a "have a good passage, sir". Have the suspicion that the implementation of the scheme is rather different from the intention.

What experiences do you all have ?

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK

 

[DJE]

I have often wondered about this. If they are not going to take any action on you failing to report your arrival then what is the point of logging your departure?

Also Solent Coastguard would I believe prefer you to call direct on channel 67 with routine traffic.


<hr width=100% size=1>Better to keep one's mouth shut and be considered a fool than open it and remove all possible doubt.

 

[AIDY]

Agree.. Don't bother Solent CG on ch16 call directly on ch67. You may depending on your set pick solent up in cherb. We managed to this year with our icom set and they read us load and clear. But on previous sets not.

Have a good trip across

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[Cantata]

I've logged passage plans with Solent, Dover and Thames in the last year or so and they've all handled the call courteously and efficiently.
I've always taken the view that it's only worth doing if you are a lone boat. I did a channel crossing with 3 other boats recently and was a tad surprised when one of the others called up Dover and logged their plan. I thought we were sailing together to look after each other!
I guess it would be handy for the CG to know we were out there had the fog come down, but I for one would have been on the blower pretty smartish had that happened anyway.

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[AndrewB]

Dover CG seem to prefer the initial contact on be on ch16. With routing traffic they will then ask you to go and wait on one of their working channels, usually ch69 but sometimes ch11.

It seems like far fewer yachts in the South-East routinely call CG with their passage plan, than do around the Solent. The Dover coastguards have been putting some effort recently into persuading yachtsmen to join the <A target="_blank" HREF=https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/cg66/login.asp>CG66 Safety Identification Scheme</A>.

 

[jerryat]

Entirely agree! I haven't bothered to advise the CG of X-channel trips for the last 20 years or so. Used to in the years before that, but realised that in doing so, you are obliged (IMHO) to report your safe arrival. To whom? We tried the French lot a couple of times but got a totally disinterested response.

Like an earlier post, we've also had a "Have a safe passage" when we've been shoving off on the trips down to Gib. etc. Makes us feel good for some reason!

Have a good and safe trip Mike, whatever you decide. The first trip in your own boat is always nerve-wracking, but you'll feel great when you arrive!

Good sailing!

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[Soong]

I agree with AndrewB's summary of the Dover chaps, I know sometimes they sound peeved that you have called but then sometimes they have a lot going on.

The CG66 scheme really only works if you do stay in touch, if you go missing and someone calls in then the system will spring into life with stunning efficiency. They will know who you are, where you were going and what equipent you have. But it is a bit much to expect them to send up choppers every time someone forgets to call in their safe arival!

Have a great trip.

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[sabresailor]

Thanks for the replies.

Mike

ps hoping for some good weather next Fri!!

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[EdEssery]

If leaving from the Solent you should call the Coastguard on Channel 67.

You should report both your departure and arrival to the shore contact you designated on your CG66. The idea is that if you don't report your arrival to your shore contact and they become worried they contact the Coastguard who then use their logs (including the timing of your departure call) to initiate a search pattern.

The key to the whole thing is the shore contact on the CG66 - if you haven't completed one of these or haven't provided that inforfation there is almost no point in logging a passage report.

Regards,

Ed

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[graham]

Solent CG can be called directly on 67 all other CGs (as far as I know) need a call on 16 first,unless you use DSC.

If you forget to call in your safe arrival nothing happens unless you are reported as overdue.Then at least they will have a few details to work with.

Personally I rarely bother to log a passage plan.With 2 VHF sets and at least one phone its unlikely we would be unable to make contact with someone if the need arose.