DSC or Voice calls to HM Coastguard?

[maby]

In answer to the original question, I will always use DSC in preference to a voice call if I know the MMSI of the station I want to talk to - and that includes other boats. I have the MMSIs of all the coast guards for areas we commonly sail in programmed into the radio together with those of boats we commonly talk to. I also chose a radio with a full numeric key pad which makes it easy to enter MMSIs in much the same way as dialling a phone number.

Regarding filing passage plans, I would not do so for short passages that I know well and am undertaking in good weather conditions, but I have been known to file one with the CG before setting out on a long passage that I've not done before or if there is anything about it that I would regard as unusual or dangerous. If I do file a plan, I will always call in on arrival.

 

[chanelyacht]

You are just trying to justify an out of date practice with a hypothetical situation, even the coastguard will tell you that it is a waste of time filing a passage plan. People just seem to want to clutter the airwaves playing the intrepid voyager far too much these days...

Nonsense.

I've never heard a colleague say plan filing is a waste of time, and even under the new scheme they shouldn't be saying that. I have, however, coordinated a number of incidents when the passage plan cut down search areas at time, and enabled us to construct a backtrack search.

Passage plans may not work for you, in which case fine - but don't belittle others in different circumstances who may wish to file one.

 

[chanelyacht]

Really? I'm pretty sure I've never heard that, and I think I'd remember because I've always been curious about the CG's attitude to filing plans.

I was in Falmouth's area several times over the past couple of months, so they're not doing it at the moment.

I was there for a week each summer for four years about ten years ago. Don't think they were doing it then either.

When and where did you hear this request?

For what it's worth I can see the value of the Coastguard as holder of your plans if you want to leave info ashore and have nobody else reliable. That's the position I've seen in writing from them - use a friend or relative by default, but they're happy to take on the role if required. I've also seen an official MCA statement saying the idea that yachts should always file passage plans with the Coastguard "is not UK policy".

Pete

We (Falmouth) used to have it as the first line in our MSI broadcast, when MSI's were compiled locally. Now they are compiled either at the MOCery or anywhere else that is quiet, a lot of the localised information has been lost.

As for the policy statement, the MCA are right - it is not UK policy that yachts should "always" file passage plans, as that would trigger the usual nonsense about big brother. Sadly, since the MCA devolved most of it's sea safety advice to the RNLI, the fence sitters at Southampton don't like endorsing any course of action.

 

[l'escargot]

Nonsense.

I've never heard a colleague say plan filing is a waste of time, and even under the new scheme they shouldn't be saying that. I have, however, coordinated a number of incidents when the passage plan cut down search areas at time, and enabled us to construct a backtrack search.

Passage plans may not work for you, in which case fine - but don't belittle others in different circumstances who may wish to file one.

And they don't work for the vast majority of people, that's not belittling and it would be a total waste of time. I'm sure if it was different it would be policy - and it's not...

 

[Blue Sunray]

I'm sure if it was different it would be policy - and it's not...

Wrong on all sorts of levels but in brief, see:

As for the policy statement, the MCA are right - it is not UK policy that yachts should "always" file passage plans, as that would trigger the usual nonsense about big brother.

 

[l'escargot]

Wrong on all sorts of levels but in brief, see:

I think you are confused - the post you've quoted also says it is not UK policy... :encouragement:

 

[sailorman]

I heard an interesting chat on the VHF whilst in Plymouth a couple of weeks ago.

An older Yachtie type wanted to log a passage plan with Falmouth coastguard on channel 16. He explained that he'd not done this since the demise of Brixham coastguard and enquired whether Falmouth preferred contact to be made by DSC or simple voice on channel 16. He'd apparently made three DSC requests prior to his voice call which hadn't been acknowledged.

He was insistent that the coastguard confirmed whether his DSC requests had been received. The Coastguard seemed reluctant to confirm but did, eventually, concede that the requests had been received but were queued. The Yachtie asked whether Falmouth preferred DSC or voice - he added that Brixham had always preferred DSC.

The coastguard' officer's reply was "it is up to you, sir - but voice calls can save delays"

I've never made a DSC call to anyone - let alone HM Coastguard. I always use plain voice on 16 making it clear my call is "routine traffic". In the Solent area that normally results in a request to go to 67 and wait - often adding "you are number xx in the queue". Another officer then calls back.

What's everyone else's experience of this? Should we use DSC?

I have yet to log a passage plan or get my radio checked

 

[l'escargot]

I have yet to log a passage plan or get my radio checked

You bad man. Do you not realise how irresponsible you are being? You could have an elderly mother at home wondering why you haven't come home for tea and worried about what she is going to tell the Coastguard!

 

[n.herring]

Some people don't have life jackets, some people don't have a life raft, some people don't have a vhf let alone know how to use it. The sea and offshore passages in particular can be dangerous it is plain common sense to use all available options to minimise the risk, let someone know where you're going (coastguard is the simplest option) and check the radio by talking to your marina (doesn't have to be cg), the way some people on here talk they are proud to be reckless, Neil

 

[maby]

Some people don't have life jackets, some people don't have a life raft, some people don't have a vhf let alone know how to use it. The sea and offshore passages in particular can be dangerous it is plain common sense to use all available options to minimise the risk, let someone know where you're going (coastguard is the simplest option) and check the radio by talking to your marina (doesn't have to be cg), the way some people on here talk they are proud to be reckless, Neil

We certainly do seem to have more than our fair share of Ahabs here

 

[sailorman]

You bad man. Do you not realise how irresponsible you are being? You could have an elderly mother at home wondering why you haven't come home for tea and worried about what she is going to tell the Coastguard!

I would need a Medium
i do on x channel send sms to son on departure & return

 

[skyflyer]

Nobody on this thread has said AFIK at any point that filing a passage plan should be done on every trip. I most certainly have never suggested it, nor do I do it.

L'escargot did however make the assertion that anyone filing a passage plan was wasting their and the CGs time - full stop

If he is too stupid to understand the difference, even after the posting, above, from our CG forum member and needs to resort to silly snipes about elderly mothers with dinner waiting then he is sadder than I thought

I think the points I made have been now confirmed as accurate. Filing a passage plan ( if appropriate) is NOT a total waste of time!

 

[l'escargot]

Nobody on this thread has said AFIK at any point that filing a passage plan should be done on every trip. I most certainly have never suggested it, nor do I do it.

L'escargot did however make the assertion that anyone filing a passage plan was wasting their and the CGs time - full stop

If he is too stupid to understand the difference, even after the posting, above, from our CG forum member and needs to resort to silly snipes about elderly mothers with dinner waiting then he is sadder than I thought

I think the points I made have been now confirmed as accurate. Filing a passage plan ( if appropriate) is NOT a total waste of time!

You were just teasing earlier when you said it was your last post on the subject weren't you!

Clearly if the Coastguard say they won't act on the passage plan unless you tell someone else it is a waste of time - but if you are too stupid to see that... And wasn't it you that introduced the elderly mother - sorry if you feel silly for having it pointed out what a daft example it was - it doesn't really support your view that anyone who has a different (supportable) view to you is less intelligent than you either does it.

If it makes you feel better to let the Coastguard know your plans, do so, but it is only giving you a false sense of security if you think anyone will come looking for you...

 

[maby]

You were just teasing earlier when you said it was your last post on the subject weren't you!

Clearly if the Coastguard say they won't act on the passage plan unless you tell someone else it is a waste of time - but if you are too stupid to see that... And wasn't it you that introduced the elderly mother - sorry if you feel silly for having it pointed out what a daft example it was - it doesn't really support your view that anyone who has a different (supportable) view to you is less intelligent than you either does it.

If it makes you feel better to let the Coastguard know your plans, do so, but it is only giving you a false sense of security if you think anyone will come looking for you...

I think it is well established that they will not send out a search party simply because a boat that had filed a plan has subsequently failed to check back in, but if they are prepared to accept and take note of a plan that you call in, then you know that it is on record with someone that actually understands such things rather than a non-sailing relative.

On a number of occasions sailing round the east coast, we've heard Thames Coastguard broadcast an All-Ships asking people to look out for a boat that is overdue - I wonder if our resident CG man could comment on what would lead them to do this?

 

[southseaian]

Some people might be surprised by how much time is spent looking for over due or missing boats. When relatives ring reporting lost contact something has to done.
A filed passage plan coupled with a completed CG66 form (boat details) can help a lot.
People should leave passage and boat details with either a responsible person ashore or the Coastguard.
The following is copied from MCA leaflet explaining regulations for pressure boats under SOLAS V
information ashore: make sure that someone ashore knows your plans and knows what to do should they become concerned for your wellbeing. The MCA recommends joining the Coastguard Voluntary Safety Identification Scheme (commonly known as CG66) which is free and easy to join. The scheme aims to help the coastguard to help you quickly should you get into trouble while boating. It could save your life. Join CG66 online at www.gov.uk - search under CG66.

ps granny "says it's a white boat with white sails and they were going sailing for a couple of weeks."

 

[Mikehp0]

I've used the RYA SafeTrax app on a couple of recent coastal trips. If you've not tried it, give it a go! You choose your start and end points on a Google map and add an ETA plus any waypoints and stopovers. Clicking "start" results in your position being recorded and transmitted to the RYA's server every 500 metres (i think!). It seems pretty good at recording a track . It doesn't need a continuous 3G connection as it transmits updates whenever it gets one. For south coast sailing that's enough - there's only really the middle of Lyme Bay where I don't get a signal on Three.

If you fail to tell it you've arrived, the server (not your now potentially wet phone) sends text messages initially to you and, if you don't respond, to your chosen emergency contract.
It sends them this text

"Please make contact with (boat name) immediately as they have not advised their return to port and are now 30 minutes overdue. If you are unable to contact them, please call HM Coastguard on (number supplied) quoting (TR number) (NOK@ T+30) and provide as much information as possible"

I've got an AIS transceiver but SafeTrx records trip info far better than Marine Traffic so that's a plus - I can give my crew a nice screen grab of the route as well as those pictures of them looking green (or in one recent case, blue, when one had an argument with the little bottle in the inlet to the heads and got covered in nasty Purytec fluid. Don't ask...)

In an emergency, the snag would be that granny needs to know how to read text messages, though!

 

[chanelyacht]

On a number of occasions sailing round the east coast, we've heard Thames Coastguard broadcast an All-Ships asking people to look out for a boat that is overdue - I wonder if our resident CG man could comment on what would lead them to do this?

An O/D incident is normally triggered by a call to CG - worried relative, trailer and car found on a slipway, missed berthing arrival when departure was known, etc. To be made as a broadcast the first steps - telephone contacts, shore contacts, etc would have been done.

Having a passage plan would tell us where to start the search, the likely course of the boat, which bx aerials stand the best first chance, etc. It also enables us to construct a backtrack search pattern.

Of course, if you're l'escargot, all of this is rubbish and I don't know what I'm talking about.

 

[chanelyacht]

If it makes you feel better to let the Coastguard know your plans, do so, but it is only giving you a false sense of security if you think anyone will come looking for you...

Do you think that people cannot understand that it's purpose is not to trigger an overdue search, which has always been prefectly clear, but to aid and shorten any search following concern expressed?

Or is it just you that doesn't get that?

 

[Blue Sunray]

Nobody on this thread has said AFIK at any point that filing a passage plan should be done on every trip. I most certainly have never suggested it, nor do I do it.

L'escargot did however make the assertion that anyone filing a passage plan was wasting their and the CGs time - full stop

If he is too stupid to understand the difference, even after the posting, above, from our CG forum member and needs to resort to silly snipes about elderly mothers with dinner waiting then he is sadder than I thought

I think the points I made have been now confirmed as accurate. Filing a passage plan ( if appropriate) is NOT a total waste of time!

It seems pretty obvious that this is the case.

 

[l'escargot]

Do you think that people cannot understand that it's purpose is not to trigger an overdue search, which has always been prefectly clear, but to aid and shorten any search following concern expressed?

Or is it just you that doesn't get that?

I understand that perfectly. A number of others hereabout don't seem to though...