Have they stopped the foul transmissions on Ch16?

[Anonymous]

Normally, after about 7pm, the irritating and/or foul transmissions from (presumably) ships start. Anything from repetitious 'cooeees' to unpleasant sexually explicit stuff. We have just done two overnight passages from Almerimar to Gibraltar and back and not one single transmission! Ch16 was wonderfully clear all night (and the radio is fine, I could hear ships calling Gibraltar when over 100nm from Gib).

Does anyone know if the authorities have managed to frighten them off - maybe a recent prosecution, new technology to identify them, etc?

Has anyone noticed a difference in the Channel? Two quiet nights in these waters (among the busiest in the world) seems more than just a coincidence.

 

[jimi]

Re: Have they stopped the fowl transmissions on Ch16?

yup ain't heard a chicken for ages ... oops sorry thought you said fowl .. chuck chuck

 

[Guest]

In around 1999 ships started carrying VDR that must record the last 12 hours of operations. This included radio.

I suspect they realized that it was obvious to work out who was doing the calls only the real stupid ones carried on. The parent company were also able to store and check the goings on. RDF for VHF helped also to identify the ships.

Just think what would happen if MAIB was to investigate an incident and CH16 was full of rubbish. They would soon find out who was the cause.

 

[Dyflin]

I think that much of this is actually from fishing boats. We always expected to hear the "Banana Radio" start up when passing down West Africa. There was also the one helpful guy who would transmit his music library for all to enjoy...

 

[Billjratt]

apart from the data recorder, DSC allows them to be away from the box until the alarm rings, they've probably found another source of amusement. And the "Philipino Monkeys" can go by unmolested.