Has DSC proved to be a bit pointless?

[Uricanejack]

Before the advent of Mobile phones when you couldn't get a word in edgeways on CH16 on a Sunny weekend on the Solent calling mates on VHF with DSC would have been very handy. Now everyone has a mobile phone CH16 is pretty quiet so I guess the problem DSC calling solves has gone away.

Red button is probably still useful, although depending on the situation, I might reverse the procedure and have voice contact first and then hit the button to quickly pass on position etc. (So the receiver knew it was a call and I had the reassurance that someone was aware of the problem.)

Am I right in thinking that hitting 'acknowledge' cancels someone else's DSC mayday? Pretty sure I am.

No.
Pretty sure you are just silencing the alarm sound. I cant see why even a ship would cancel a distress unless they had sent it in error. I think only a RCC can cancel a distress.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I think the red button feature on DSC radios is the best safety idea since the radio was invented. Simple, dependable, no thought needed other than "help". My radio links to GPS so nothing more needs inputting. As my radio has integrated AIS I could call up conflicting large vessels by simply bring up their details and pressing "call". No I never use it for calling up mates as not all members of our club has DSC yet and club channel is easier. To dismiss an innovation because you don't need its lesser features is fairly strange

 

[maby]

I think the red button feature on DSC radios is the best safety idea since the radio was invented. Simple, dependable, no thought needed other than "help". My radio links to GPS so nothing more needs inputting. As my radio has integrated AIS I could call up conflicting large vessels by simply bring up their details and pressing "call". No I never use it for calling up mates as not all members of our club has DSC yet and club channel is easier. To dismiss an innovation because you don't need its lesser features is fairly strange

Like most safety equipment, it becomes underrated because it is seldom needed - but when you do need it, you will be very glad it is there. There was a case a few years ago of a middle-aged guy single handing a sailing yacht somewhere off the east coast - he started to feel very unwell, just managed to hit the red button, then collapsed with a heart attack. The rescue helicopter was overhead quickly, saw him slumped on the floor of the cockpit, winched him off and got him to hospital - as far as I know he is still sailing today. Without the DSC, it could easily have been hours before he was discovered - if at all.

 

[alant]

I think the red button feature on DSC radios is the best safety idea since the radio was invented. Simple, dependable, no thought needed other than "help". My radio links to GPS so nothing more needs inputting. As my radio has integrated AIS I could call up conflicting large vessels by simply bring up their details and pressing "call". No I never use it for calling up mates as not all members of our club has DSC yet and club channel is easier. To dismiss an innovation because you don't need its lesser features is fairly strange

Many sailing in familiar waters, like the Solent, do not switch their gps on, rendering it useless in terms of dsc sending position. You, as skipper may remember your gps isn't on & can rectify in an emergency. However, if you are rendered helpless or mob, will your crew be aware? Maybe worth telling them.

 

[johnalison]

Many sailing in familiar waters, like the Solent, do not switch their gps on, rendering it useless in terms of dsc sending position. You, as skipper may remember your gps isn't on & can rectify in an emergency. However, if you are rendered helpless or mob, will your crew be aware? Maybe worth telling them.

I hadn't thought of that. I scarcely ever go out without my GPS (= plotter) on, but only because I like to see my SOG in tidal waters.

 

[maby]

Many sailing in familiar waters, like the Solent, do not switch their gps on, rendering it useless in terms of dsc sending position.....

Really? I have all my electronics on all the time! It cost me a lot of money - I want the helm covered with flashing lights and all manner of warning and informational tones and beeps!

 

[Tintin]

Dsc radio linked to cockpit plotter linked to ais makes it very easy to call up other vessels when near shipping lanes.

One push on the touch screen.

Really very useful.

 

[alant]

Really? I have all my electronics on all the time! It cost me a lot of money - I want the helm covered with flashing lights and all manner of warning and informational tones and beeps!

Some people simply prefer to use their eyes.
Bit old fashion, but it takes all sorts.

 

[GHA]

Many sailing in familiar waters, like the Solent, do not switch their gps on, rendering it useless in terms of dsc sending position. You, as skipper may remember your gps isn't on & can rectify in an emergency. However, if you are rendered helpless or mob, will your crew be aware? Maybe worth telling them.

Don't DSC VHFs go BEEP FLIPPIN BEEP with no GPS position after a little while? Mine certainly gets very grumpy as did the last one.

 

[PhillM]

Many sailing in familiar waters, like the Solent, do not switch their gps on, rendering it useless in terms of dsc sending position. You, as skipper may remember your gps isn't on & can rectify in an emergency. However, if you are rendered helpless or mob, will your crew be aware? Maybe worth telling them.

My radio has an inbuilt GPS which I like because it means the red button will always work. Bearing in mind that the most likely use of the red button is if I go overboard, leaving an inexperienced guest (lets not say crew here as most likely its a friend out for a jolly) alone to save me. I always show guests how to call help with it, even if they don't really understand the radio, or how to give a position, I take some comfort that at least a distress message will get out and hopefully someone will come and help.

 

[maby]

Some people simply prefer to use their eyes.
Bit old fashion, but it takes all sorts.

In familiar waters, I may not look at it - but I want it running - looking like the bridge on the HMS Queen Elizabeth (which I am looking at as I type). There's several thousand pounds worth of gear there - it needs to earn its keep!

 

[alant]

In familiar waters, I may not look at it - but I want it running - looking like the bridge on the HMS Queen Elizabeth (which I am looking at as I type). There's several thousand pounds worth of gear there - it needs to earn its keep!

Sailinng is supposed to be a recreation, not a desk.

 

[prv]

It appears that Class A sets *can* acknowledge, so maybe only the CG can have class A sets.

No, commercial shipping will have Class A sets.

They spend most of their time out of VHF range of an MRCC, which is the part people seem to be forgetting.

Pete

 

[Mark-1]

I understood that only the CG can "acknowledge" a distress call.

I'm pretty sure some/all radios give you an acknowledge button, but thanks to JBJag27 & laika it looks like on Class D sets hitting 'acknowledge' just means 'cancel' - as in cancel on your own set.
It appears that Class A sets *can* acknowledge, so maybe only the CG can have class A sets.
Hopefully someone will google and give us chapter and verse on that.

No, commercial shipping will have Class A sets.

Not surprising, and Wikipedia agrees with you. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_selective_calling

 

[obmij]

Since there is no longer a requirement to maintain a listening watch (except in certain areas, VTS and the like) many commercial vessels do not as DSC is doing it for them on CH70 - so, if you are in the soup and require assistance there may be no other way of getting out of said soup than with a DSC call.

So in that repsect, DSC is perhaps as pointless as a liferaft..

Personally I'm a big fan. No need to listen to all the jibba jabba on CH16 for a start, also if you want a chinwag with pals then then placing a routing DSC call minimises the chance of every other git listening in on your working channel, 'cause lets face it, when you hear two vessels agree to go to Ch9 or whatever..that's where you go as well!

 

[Kelpie]

Really? I have all my electronics on all the time! It cost me a lot of money - I want the helm covered with flashing lights and all manner of warning and informational tones and beeps!

I sort of understand what you mean, but some of my favorite sails have been ones where I've been able to leave the mooring under sail and consequently gone all day without even turning the isolators on.
Yes you could make an argument that this isn't safe, but I started out in dinghies so it seems pretty natural to me...

 

[maby]

I sort of understand what you mean, but some of my favorite sails have been ones where I've been able to leave the mooring under sail and consequently gone all day without even turning the isolators on.
Yes you could make an argument that this isn't safe, but I started out in dinghies so it seems pretty natural to me...

Hmmm, could not go all day with the isolators off - no music, no lights, no TV, no running water, no fridge to keep the wine chilled!

 

[GHA]

Hmmm, could not go all day with the isolators off - no music, no lights, no TV, no running water, no fridge to keep the wine chilled!

Nice to sail without instruments now and again though, even just as a reminder of just how much we sail by numbers these days.


Easy for me, just leave the tablet down below


(Though can't go so far as turning off the sounder )

 

[maby]

Nice to sail without instruments now and again though, even just as a reminder of just how much we sail by numbers these days.


Easy for me, just leave the tablet down below


(Though can't go so far as turning off the sounder )

It's the lack of fridge that is the most scary - you're going to find a quiet anchorage, drop the hook for lunch, then find that the Chardonnay is warm!

 

[[70521]]

Many sailing in familiar waters, like the Solent, do not switch their gps on, rendering it useless in terms of dsc sending position. You, as skipper may remember your gps isn't on & can rectify in an emergency. However, if you are rendered helpless or mob, will your crew be aware? Maybe worth telling them.

I've only spend a little time sailing in the Solent and what amazed me was the number of vessels out and about. I strongly suspect that if anybody sent a mayday there would be over 100 vessels looking out for you. A tad different from the quieter waters I sail on.

Personally, my VHF has a integrated GPS and when switched on has a fix within 30 seconds, one of the reasons behind the purchase was I did not have to faf about with other bits of kit.