DSC safety alerts

[jtwebb]

Those thinking of buying a DSC radio should be aware that frequent use (misuse?) is made of the Safety call to remind people that a regular broadcast is about to take place. I often get a Frenchman telling me to listen to the Dover Straits traffic list, trouble is I am off the Isle of Wight, and he does this every 30 mins along with various colleagues on a bad day. The noise is such that I can not ignore it and it might be important. Stop what you are doing, go below, find glasses, read message and swear. Go back to resume probably more important job! Friends I know turn the radio off, I disconnect the DSC controller as I have two boxes and one day an important DSC Mayday will be missed.

 

[Sailfree]

I think its about time to make representation about DSC misuse. Who do we make it to?

I don't mind the look out for boat "****" heading etc etc that is overdue nor genuine distress calls but I object to the rotine traffic from UK coastguards and especially the French. It would not be so bad if you were within say the relevant 30Nm but not when so far away. Getting near to fitting a VHF only set if sanity doesn't prevail soon.

 

[RupertW]

There are any number of academic papers from the control industry, IT and aircraft industries about false alarms that sum up as, "False alarms train users to ignore valid alarms". We're at this point now.

I think the authorities have lost the plot designing a system where alerts like the Dover Straits example sound exactly the same as alarms that we should all respond to.

I switch off the set as it's hugely unlikely that an alarm corresponds to anything that I could help with, and I don't need anybody to contact me using my MMSI number.