Do you listen on channel 74?

[Brayman]

The Friday before last I got held by Operation Neptune, as the EA had closed the river outside my marina in order to carry out the emergency services exercise. I knew the exercise was planned because I had received an email from the EA Harbourmaster.

I have my VHF set up to scan a number of popular channels, one of them being 74.
Imagine my surprise when I heard the EA coming over the radio saying that Dreadnought Reach was "now closed and that all vessels should move to the bank". Then again, thankfully only one hour later, to say that the river was now open.

There was noting in the email that would prompt anyone to listen to channel 74.

It was a pure fluke that I heard the messages, does anyone else listen on that channel?

 

[boatone]

Hmmm....interesting.

A quick google found this:
http://www.llyn.info/info/watersports/vhfafloat.pdf

An IWA publication in which the following appears:

Channel 74 deserves particular mention. This is a port operations channel allocated to the British Waterways locks and bridges listed in Appendix A. Contrary to widespread rumour, it is not a private BW channel and is also allocated to various other port operators in the UK. Channel 74 is not allocated for general inter-ship use but, within a port, intership communication on ship movements and safety should be
made on the port frequency 9. This is where some confusion arises – where are the limits of the port, when we are considering a whole network of inland waterways with dispersed locks, all fitted with radio? In practice, you should keep a listening watch on Channel 74 and use this channel for initial intership contact on the following BW freight waterways.
• Aire & Calder Navigation • Weaver
• Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation (below Rotherham) • Severn and G&S Canal
• Trent (upstream of Cromwell Lock) • Crinan Canal
• Lea (Lee) • Caledonian Canal

No mention of the Thames though? Shall I enquire of 'reliable sources' ?

 

[Brayman]

Hmmm....interesting.


No mention of the Thames though? Shall I enquire of 'reliable sources' ?

Yes, why not?
Interestingly the RAF Rescue helicopter kept trying to contact the operation on ch 74 but got no response. I assume his transmissions are recorded because as he went through various channels he signed off with "No Reply".

I also tried to contact them on ch 74 but got no reply, but then who am I compared to the RAF?

 

[bulto]

Do you listen on channel 74

Next time I am on the boat channel 74 is going on the scan.

 

[byron]

Yes, why not?
Interestingly the RAF Rescue helicopter kept trying to contact the operation on ch 74 but got no response. I assume his transmissions are recorded because as he went through various channels he signed off with "No Reply".

I also tried to contact them on ch 74 but got no reply, but then who am I compared to the RAF?

RAF & Navy allocated marine rescue units would normally work Channel 0 with HMCG & RNLI. At sea with 'civvis' they would work Channel 67. Channel 74 therefore will be an 'unnatural' channel for them as it is a pukka marine frequency. My experience is that when the military get involved with such channels they are slightly off frequency resulting in them being unable to receive but often able to transmit.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

I'll try and remember to ask our Commodore as he drives boats for the EA.

 

[apollo]

Dont tend to have the VHF on at all unless attending a specific club function. Having to disconnect it all to lower and raise the goalpost/gantry is a pain.

 

[byron]

Dont tend to have the VHF on at all unless attending a specific club function. Having to disconnect it all to lower and raise the goalpost/gantry is a pain.

Buy Stubby rubber duck and fit it. Sure you will get reduced range but you will still receive OK.

 

[oldgit]

"does anyone else listen on that channel?"

All the time,it is the calling channel for Medway VTS,far more use than ch16.

 

[Brayman]

"does anyone else listen on that channel?"

All the time,it is the calling channel for Medway VTS,far more use than ch16.

I thought that Fred, I was really asking about Thames users, but thanks for that additional info.