Callsigns

[Sandy.]

Nearly every time I take to the water in Plymouth Sound I hear VHF transmissions to the Coast Guard from yachts whose names are almost unpronounceable let alone spellable. This usually results in the CG asking for the boat name to be spelt out. further taking up air time. Why do we not use our Callsigns to make the initial contact? Presumably the CG would then pull the callsign up on the screen which would clearly give the crafts name. The rest of the chat could then be using the crafts name? In my area there are several examples of similarly named boats and using the callsign would remove any doubt.

 

[Guest]

.........because nearly all VHF sets are unlicensed. I have a callsign (MYMP8), a licence and an Authority to Operate. The official statistics on licensing are staggering - few people bother, and have no idea how to relay your vital mayday call or report a position properly. They even try to talk to each other on duplex channels - and then complain that their sets don't work. They won't observe radio silence because they are unaware of 'seelonce' - and pan pan? That must be something to do with the galley....

 

[Guest]

A good point! Portland CG often ask for international callsigns and it does seem to cause confusion in the odd skipper or two.

I usually volunteer the boat's callsign when communicating with the CG......but then I only bother them when heading off on, or returning from, a long voyage.

Cheers
Sevenem (MCSC3)

 

[Guest]

So are you saying that it is acceptable for us to use our callsigns when contactingthe CG? I have often heard commercial boats use it but never pleasure boats and never ventured to do it myself. I have to say that it would be a far more effecient way if possible.

 

[Guest]

When ever I contact the CG I always say the boats name followed by her call sign, saves a lot of further traffic. I also tell them which station holds my CG66.

 

[tomg]

When I cross the channel I usually call up and let the CG know my plans but I'm not sure what I should do on the other side. Within a few miles of, say, Cherbourg I cannot raise the UK CG and tell them that I've arrived safely - so they may cease fretting about me! What's the procedure?

 

[Guest]

Have been in a similar position. I make sure I have their phone No. and ring them from the mobile.

 

[Grehan]

Telling the CG

I may be wrong but . . .

My understanding is that yacht passage plan 'notification' is slightly different from (say) light aircraft. I don't think either UK or French CGs are going to keep a watch for one's arrival and launch the lifeboats if one doesn't call in having arrived safely at the expected time.

The point is more that if an 'incident' does arise - perhaps with only sketchy details available - then the CGs will have some idea of (a) who's around and (b) what their details are (boat, next-of-kin . .) (pause for thought).

Would someone care to confirm/correct this?

Do I have an idea that Solent CG regard 'local' passage plans as a bit of a nuisance (like all the blinking radio checks)? Or is this salty cynicism?

Anyway, having 'filed' a plan ringing up to tell them it's 'complete' sounds like common - seamanlike - courtesy to me.

 

[Roberto]

Funny experience in France

We rented two boats for a few days in the French side of the channel, we lost sight of each other but kept contact on the phone. The final day, my boat was in port but the other had not arrived yet. We called them on the phone but no answer... As there was quite a bit of wind we went to the local radio station, asking them to call the Cross (Cg equiv) just to know if the other boat had sent any radio message. Cross answered "No messages, do you want to start a search?" . We clearly said No, no problem we will wait a bit.

The second boat eventually arrived, abt two hours later. We left the port, back home.

Midday next day, I receive a phone call from the Charter company: "Monsieur, how come you lost a boat and did not tell us anything"

I asked them to check the slip, where we left the boat, and obviously they found it. Apologies apologies.

Now what happened: the Cross apparently assumed that as we did not call them to tell the second boat was safe in port, there was a search to be started. They did, and clearly could not find the boat because it was in port. They called the boat's owner and the charter company saying their boat was lost at sea.

Maybe it was our mistake not calling them back, but as we clearly said since the beginning that we were only asking for info and did NOT want a search, we thought it was not necessary to talk to them again.

We obviously felt sorry for having caused such trouble, especially to sea rescue, but I wonder still today what wrongdoings have I done. Do calling cg for "info" mean calling for "rescue"?

Just to say how easily a search can be started. It looks rather reassuring though.

Roberto

 

[Guest]

Re: Telling the CG

I believe that the CG would initiate a search if a passage is not reported as complete. On two occasions I have heard the CG putting out Pan Pan on boats that had not reported in. And as you quite rightly say it is only common courtesy to do so.

 

[johnt]

I think you are overstating your case just a tad Rob

 

[andy_wilson]

(Fairly) definitive answer.

Ring your local CG for a chat, they won't mind, and at the same time organise a form CG 66 (essential details of vessel, shore contacts etc.).

Their advice will be to always radio in with passage information, crew details etc., and for the sake of completeness, advise them of safe arrival (by phone if out of range). I say for completeness, as they will take no action if you don't call in, but will be forwarned and forearmed if your shorebased contact calls in because you are overdue. The shorebased contact is therefore an important link in the chain, and should be fully briefed.

Range? Most yachstsmen feel they shouldn't advise 'local' trips. I was told by a CG that if I registered a trip even to the next bay 'just for lunch', I might just end up being the one called upon to assist an errant windsurfer, lilo-er or whatever. Makes a lot of sense!

For my part however, I tend to tell no-one about coastal trips in good weather. I always advise the CG and a shore contact of anything involving across The Channel, more than about 10 hours coastal, or if excitement is anticipated, say F6+ and open sea passages even of just a few hours.

Personalise the last paragraph and you shouldn't go too far wrong.

Callsigns? The VHF is a safety aid first and foremost. Get used to using the callsign and remove one more chance of ambiguity. It would be a shame if they started looking for a fishing vessel from the West country when 'Aspire of Brixham' is a Lymington based sloop.