Do you sail with the VHF on ? POLL

[Daydream believer]

I get your point but Isn’t there an argument to say that unless you’re single handed your radio should be somewhere you can talk out of the howling wind and waves? Plenty of boats with radios at the chart table have an external speaker. I have a remote mic in the cockpit which seems like the ideal solution, though possibly offputtingly costly for those on a very tight budget.

I have had people tell me this and challenged them to show me where to put one. They could not suggest a suitable spot. But to go one further I listen on 16 or whatever channel is relevant for the area with the volume on high. If it relates to me- which it some times has ie call resulting from an AIS contact from a ship , I use my hand held vhf I find that useful for port entry. If I need a longer conversation over greater distance I go below
that being said I got contact with Aberdeen CG at a range of 25 miles using my hand held when in trouble one night.but only on 16. Not a working channel even on max power
but the RNLI boat that came to me could only get me on a working channel over 3 miles. So a hand held has its limits and is no real substitute for the main ships vhf

 

[Chiara’s slave]

That’s a sad tale, DDB. Being very shoal draught, we’d feel duty bound to assist there too. Plus we’re better in surf than most. But thats seriously tricky.
Responding to any call for assistance, you have to make your own judgement whether you’ll be a help, or another rescue case. Plus whether other boats are nearer time wise, or better suited to the job. Often a tough judgement.

 

[Daydream believer]

Mine’s just a handheld, it hangs from it’s lanyard just inside the hatch. The battery lasts comfortably all day.

In certain conditions I have been unable to get to the. Hatch. That has been quite. Often.

 

[Elessar]

Might not have occurred to you, but not everyone has a place in the cockpit to fit a vhf. Not that I would want, or need it there anyway

Never heard of a handheld then? That’s what I use in my RIB.

 

[RupertW]

That was my "interpretation" of the poll result combined with the many "excuses" from several people about why not monitor ch 16 or keep their radio turned on, except for when they need it themselves. And as I wrote, many people I have talked to outside this forum, has said exactly what I wrote.
As an example from this thread, one person stated the radio was only in use when he needs to call harbors.

That was me who said that - which is rather different to the made up interpretation of yours as that function is nothing to do with distress calls. By all means argue with the position of those who don’t have their VHFs on all the time, but we don’t get anywhere by creating then attacking a mythical position which nobody on this thread seems to hold.

 

[Helidan]

I leave mine on all the time, usually dual-watch VTS & 16. It doesn't bother me tbh and it might mean I can help someone out.

 

[Daydream believer]

Never heard of a handheld then? That’s what I use in my RIB.

I do not have a RIB. A launch and a Squib— yes and both use hand helds. But if you care to read #141 you will see that I have ventured into the technology. But of course range can, in most cases, be limited. Perhaps you have not noticed that yet.

 

[CapPugwash]

Fishing net adrift North of Largs today. I heard about it on my VHF. Always on when under way. ?

Often hear of kids getting blown out to sea from a beach. Imagine one dying that you could have helped save?!!

No thank you. VHF on.

Edit : Also, it is worth remembering that your value to the coast guard may just be as a relay.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I have to say that to my mind, in coastal waters, having a radio on channel 16 constitutes part of keeping a proper watch. Even at anchor I would leave it on if I thought our position might cause issues

I have 4 times responded to CG requests for info, and 3 times considered whether we were close enough to render assistance to overheard PanPan or Mayday. We once hit DSC mayday button to alert services to kayakers in danger of drowning - as it happened the HM was already on the case but those few seconds saved by readiness might have been significant.

Crossing shipping lane at night, failure to radio on if fitted would be pure recklessness

 

[RupertW]

Crossing shipping lane at night, failure to radio on if fitted would be pure recklessness

What ? I crossed the shipping lanes for many years with no VHF at all and having it switched off now is very similar - if anything most ships are better lit and fishing boats just as contrary.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

What ? I crossed the shipping lanes for many years with no VHF at all and having it switched off now is very similar - if anything most ships are better lit and fishing boats just as contrary.

In the old days we sailed without lifejackets and safety lines, drove cars while drunk without seat belts, and worked at height without harness and helmet etc. The death rate was higher.

The larger ships in the last 30 years have greater difficulty turning and are often crewed by underpaid overworked people from asia. Having VHF so they can call you up or listen to their fractured conversations with the coastguard could literally be a lifesaver, and could generally reduce stress.

 

[RupertW]

In the old days we sailed without lifejackets and safety lines, drove cars while drunk without seat belts, and worked at height without harness and helmet etc. The death rate was higher.

The larger ships in the last 30 years have greater difficulty turning and are often crewed by underpaid overworked people from asia. Having VHF so they can call you up or listen to their fractured conversations with the coastguard could literally be a lifesaver, and could generally reduce stress.

I don’t get as stressed it seems either sailing or drivingz

 

[DJE]

In the old days we sailed without lifejackets and safety lines, drove cars while drunk without seat belts, and worked at height without harness and helmet etc. The death rate was higher.

The larger ships in the last 30 years have greater difficulty turning and are often crewed by underpaid overworked people from asia. Having VHF so they can call you up or listen to their fractured conversations with the coastguard could literally be a lifesaver, and could generally reduce stress.

The game-changer there has been AIS not VHF.

 

[RupertW]

The game-changer there has been AIS not VHF.

I’m thinking of getting that - maybe in the next couple of years - would be great in fog.