TimfromMersea
Well-Known Member
I've asked for it to be put on the agenda for the October meeting of the RYA Coastal Navigation Panel (I'm the Eastern region representative)
Coastguard Weather Forecasts
- Thread starter TimfromMersea
- Start date
Boz
Well-Known Member
Well as an RYA member, is there something I can do to back you up?
Cantata
Well-Known Member
I have often noticed poor reception in the Orwell from the Walton aerial. It's on the seafront and its signal is probably interrupted NE'wards by the high ground of the Naze. Usually I find a better signal from Bawdsey, where the aerial is on high ground. I don't think that's anything new.
If you're on the Blackwater you should get a strong signal from Bradwell, but it does seem that the announcement on Ch16 doesn't always get transmitted from every aerial. I don't think that's a new occurrence either.
TimfromMersea
Well-Known Member
Email or write to the Cruising Dept with your concerns.
TimfromMersea
Well-Known Member
Sorry, forgot to add - you must quote your RYA Membership Number when you contact them.........and copy me in on cnp.er@rya.org.uk
ex-Gladys
Well-Known Member
Had a rough trip to Burnham on Saturday, and both 1310 and 1610 broadcasts on 16 didn't happen. We heard the back end of a conversation between Humber and a yacht, obviously asking about the lack of broadcast, but that the Humber broadcast only comes as far south as Lowestoft aerial, and that they should listen to Dover. On the way back today, 1010 was broadcast and with the usual interference on Bradwell aerial
Mariner69
Well-Known Member
+1
Burnham Bob
Well-Known Member
Interesting variation in the Blackwater today. No choice of aerials just 'listen out on channel 23'. Wonder if they are transmitting the announcement from individual aerials to make sure you choose the right one? Original message and forecast clear as a bell.
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
That reminds me, the one i heard Monday was announced as "listen on ch 84", no other channels mentioned. I said to my crew, "what happened to the other channels" just as CG came back on and announced "listen on ch 23".
Bit of a shambles. I'll try to remember to listen in and note times etc on Friday, possibly over the weekend too.
Boz
Well-Known Member
The 1910 tonight was given very precisely by 'Dover CG' - I had my set on Dual (16 & 84) and heard nothing on 16 but suddenly at about 1917 Channel 84 burst into life with the forecast....
Boz
Well-Known Member
To be fair the 2210 broadcast was delivered perfectly - announced on 16 with all 3 channels and delivered on..... well on 84 for me... by 'Dover Coastguard'
Boz
Well-Known Member
The 1610 MSI was actually broadcast at 1623 today, I suspect most would have given up before 13 minutes.... We could have a whip round for an alarm clock..
dogleg
Well-Known Member
The 1610 MSI was actually broadcast at 1623 today, I suspect most would have given up before 13 minutes.... We could have a whip round for an alarm clock..
they were incident working down south, Thames CG usually managed to announce on 16 that MMSI would be delayed, this does not appear to happen any more, however Dover are I am told very short staffed, there have only been 2 CG's on at times, this has actually been said on 16 apologetically when slow to respond, the fault lies with the management who made unrealistic assumptions regarding re-location from various closing stations and the apparent failed recruitment drive which did not I am told reach its target
ZoeImogen
Active Member
Took the CG a while to get going for a Mayday in Pevensy Bay (Eastbourne) yesterday lunchtime just a few miles from where we now are, but once they did it was slick and efficient. Not sure if the delay was a long handoff to more experienced staff or that they were doing important tasks not obvious to those of us on Ch16 that couldn't be multi-tasked.
I note the RNLI publicity about the incident failed to credit the two fishing vessels who actually recovered the kayaker. I get that they need publicity to continue fundraising, but knowing FVs are willing to help out people in distress is reassuring and it's important that an utterly vital charity like the RNLI keeps everyone's trust!
I note the RNLI publicity about the incident failed to credit the two fishing vessels who actually recovered the kayaker. I get that they need publicity to continue fundraising, but knowing FVs are willing to help out people in distress is reassuring and it's important that an utterly vital charity like the RNLI keeps everyone's trust!
dogleg
Well-Known Member
[I]Hastings ILB was requested to launch at 12:25 today after the Coastguard received reports of a kayaker in trouble 3/4 of a mile south of Galley Hill, Bexhill.
The ILB and her crew of 3 quickly made their way to scene and located the casualty who was exhausted after falling out of his kayak and not being able to get back in.
He was taken aboard and both him and his kayak were safely brought ashore to an awaiting ambulance.
The ILB returned to scene to escort his buddy who was in a 2nd kayak ashore then returned to station.[/I]
is this the incident in question? from Hastings LB FB page, no press release on RNLI site
Gargleblaster
Well-Known Member
I have just returned from a trip to the Baltic. And was so pleased to get back to being in range of the CG weather forecasts from the East Coast. In Denmark Lingby Radio do put out what appear to be me random marine information broadcasts but suggest you listen on normal calling channels, which it took me a long time to work out and was if memory serves correctly 67. In the Netherlands I and a Danish boat I spoke to found their weather forecasts very confusing as they keep talking about gale warning and then say there are no gale warning for lets say Texel. The Danish boat had called up the Netherlands Coast guard because he heard the word s gale warning and asked if he should seek refuge in Den Helder only to be told there were no gale warnings. I must admit I notice that the marine safety boradcasts here now also start ' gale warnings there are no gale warnings'. I find that very annoying.
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
Friday's 1310 was broadcast at 1315 and the 2210 was at 2212, both as normal in terms of the announcement.
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Just a thought? Should it even be part of the Coastguard remit to read a weather forecast? It seems they get enough stick when it isn't on the dot so shouldn't responsible mariners seek a reliable source of information elsewhere? I always found the barometer a good indicator of likely changes.
Boz
Well-Known Member
The Coastguard has a published commitment to provide not just weather forecasts but other safety information as in 'MSI'. Most of us, I suspect, use other sources of weather information but up to date safety information can only be diseminated via MSI or Navtex both of which are in the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
We pretty much knew athat the Coastguard re-organisation would cause issues, I think it is the seemingly lack of progress in addressing these issues that is concerning most on this forum. Those of us who sail in the Thames Estuary seem to be most affected?
Mariner69
Well-Known Member
If there is an issue with the CG failing to provide timely MSI transmissions then the sensible option is to raise it in a letter to the MCA. Sufficient individual letters (not those produced by protest or single issue groups) will flag up the problem and allow the powers that be to take action. Whilst we may moan here, it does not initiate any action on behalf of the MCA/CG. I shall be writing as I have noted problems myself. I suggest others do likewise.
