How often do you use DSC or Ch16...?

How often do you

  • Every time I go out

    Votes: 28 20.7%

  • Once in a while

    Votes: 43 31.9%

  • Very rarely

    Votes: 64 47.4%
  • Total voters
    135
To me, there is one big advantage of DSC - for distress calling. SWMBO knows, and other novice crew are trained, that if it all goes pear shaped they can lift the little red flap and hold the button in for five seconds and a distress message is sent. If they have time to follow it up with a voice conversation, all well and good. If the boat is sinking or on fire, they can evacuate immediately.

This is a significant comfort factor, even though I hope and plan that the situation will never arise.

For routine traffic it is more bother than it is worth.
 
Ariadne said:
Whats the point of having an AIS system if you can't call the ship by MMSI, or them you?
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That is a totally different argument. The point about AIS is that you can easily determine CPA and TCPA, and decide to take action.

I was once in for a close encounter with a ship in the English Channel, called on MMSI twice and they just cancelled the alarm. Called them verbally on Ch16 and they ignored me - a Turkish registered freighter.

Don't get lulled into a false sense of security by what technology is supposed to do
 
chanelyacht said:
DSC is one of the best things invented.

In the scenario you give, you would know about it. If the boat put out a DSC distress you would receive it, if it contacted CG direct and we needed other vessels' assistance, we would put out a DSC pan / mayday relay, then the voice bx on Ch16 follows as normal.

If you're in distress, hitting the red button means your call comes into us quicker, isn't overspoken, places your position instantly on our mapping, and brings up your vessel details. The call travels further too.

You wouldn't stand outside your house shouting "fire" in the hope you'd be heard would you?
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I disagree absoloutly.

DSC or Digital Selective Calling and EPIRB were introduced along with GMDSS to reduce crew sise and coast gaurd staff. Under the disguise of increasing safty.

In the Past from 1912 until about the end of the 80's all ships were required to keep a 24hr listening watch on 16, and have a Proffesional Radio Operator on watch 8hr per day and on call by Auto Allarm and watch officer. on 2182, 500kz.

Coast Radio stations monitered all these 24hr 7 days a week.

Radio Operators are extinct. So are Coast Radio Stations.

So now instead of having a live body listening during designated silence periods and responding directly to several different forms of distress you are relying on an automated system to relay your message to a live body who has often turned of and tuned out due to false allarms.

Comercial vessels still have thier on but now instead of a dedicated profesional radio operator being called to respond to your request for assistance it will be the Officer in charge of the Navigational watch who did the course years ago on a different piece of kit. is already very busy now in addition to navigating to your location and preparing to respond is also trying to comunicate with you and the coast gaurd.

It is of course Cheeper.

It could have been much better. If they had kept the requirment for Radio Operators and coast Radion stations and Coast Guards. instead the Beuarocrats spend the monney garenteeing thier own existance.

Oh back to the Question.

DSC. Only evere use to test. or to annoy my buddy by DSC calling at inopertune time. I have never had a reason to call anyone by DSC.
Ch 16 listen but turn down to minimum vollume due to high level of inane chatter.
Ocasionaly call another vessel and go to working channel.
Traffic Channels if in area.

When DSC alarm goes off I respond its usualy set of by Rescue Cordination Center. our Local Coast Radio Station no longer exists but the operators at the Vessel Traffic System double as Radio staion listening to 16. They still hear and relay more distresses than are sent Direct from DSC sets on pleasure craft.
 
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Uricanejack said:
DSC or Digital Selective Calling and EPIRB were introduced along with GMDSS to reduce crew sise and coast gaurd staff.
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Thanks - I'm usually the only one around here who makes this point :)

Afraid I don't agree with your conclusion on EPIRBs or the Coastguard, but DSC was absolutely introduced in order to get rid of dedicated radio operators on ships. People around here bang on about whether the system was a good design for yachts - failing to see beyond the end of their noses that the people designing it had zero interest in them or their yachts. The design requirement was "how do we automate the job of Sparks sitting in his shack with the cans clamped to his head, so that we can pension him off?"

Pete
 
Then the MCA stating it will be mandatory for yachts & a "listening watch" on 16 would be phased
prv said:
Thanks - I'm usually the only one around here who makes this point :)

Afraid I don't agree with your conclusion on EPIRBs or the Coastguard, but DSC was absolutely introduced in order to get rid of dedicated radio operators on ships. People around here bang on about whether the system was a good design for yachts - failing to see beyond the end of their noses that the people designing it had zero interest in them or their yachts. The design requirement was "how do we automate the job of Sparks sitting in his shack with the cans clamped to his head, so that we can pension him off?"

Pete
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This is the same story as modern airliner aircraft doing away with the Flight Engineer who actually knew what was going on !

I predict some time when casualties outweigh price tags to accountants in shiny bottomed chairs, we will have Coastguards back in coastal stations to actually see what's going on and who needs help, and Flight Engineers rather than button pushing berks concentrating on the hostesses on aeroplanes...

The binning of Portland CG's helicopter is a disgrace, I hope Cameron takes a sail around Portland Bill some day, but creeps like that avoid the real world.
 
Seajet said:
This is the same story as modern airliner aircraft doing away with the Flight Engineer who actually knew what was going on !

I predict some time when casualties outweigh price tags to accountants in shiny bottomed chairs, we will have Coastguards back in coastal stations to actually see what's going on and who needs help, and Flight Engineers rather than button pushing berks concentrating on the hostesses on aeroplanes...

The binning of Portland CG's helicopter is a disgrace, I hope Cameron takes a sail around Portland Bill some day, but creeps like that avoid the real world.
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There is no need for a Flight Engineer on modern aircraft just as nowadays cars don't need a man running in front of them with a red flag. Have a read of the Air France Concorde crash report where the "Flight Engineer who really knew what was going on" shut down an engine without permission in the critical phase of Flight where thrust was more important than fighting fires.

My wife is a 767 Captain and I can assure you there is more to commercial aviation than pushing buttons....... taking photographs however! :)

The modernisation of the SAR organisation is long overdue and difficult decisions have had to be made. What would you suggest as an alternative?


That chip on your shoulder really does you no credit.
 
Ariadne said:
Should any of you peeps ever leave the UK and head south or west you'll be surprised at often a radio is used, how **** and limited a mobile is offshore. I would never rely on a mobile phone for my safety onboard, to do so is totally irresponsible to everybody on board and your families.
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The rescue authorities frown on the use of a mobile to summon help because it bypasses the fact that a vhf, with or without DSC can be picked up by all vessels within range who can be on-scene more quickly. (a cynic could take the view that they are hoping another vessel will help and thereby save them the trouble and expense!)
 
Slipstream 34 said:
The modernisation of the SAR organisation is long overdue and difficult decisions have had to be made. What would you suggest as an alternative?
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If the alternative is a boating tax to pay for SAR organisations then I have to agree and something those who do not make a voluntary contribution to the RNLI should take a moment to consider.
On the other hand a gin palace tax would be acceptable. (I'll:) get me coat)
 
ianj99 said:
The rescue authorities frown on the use of a mobile to summon help because it bypasses the fact that a vhf, with or without DSC can be picked up by all vessels within range who can be on-scene more quickly. (a cynic could take the view that they are hoping another vessel will help and thereby save them the trouble and expense!)
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That is generally borne by the Charity called The RNLI
 
When was the last time you went on a Merchant ship with a dedicated radio operator? I've been at sea since 1986 and I've never seen one yet.

Not needed as the equipment got less complicated and smaller, however all the deck officers had to hold a Restricted MF/HF certificate (and be able to calculate telegrams) and now they all have to hold a GMDSS General Operators Certificate. There haven't been radio operators on ship for a long long time, but I will (in the UK case) agree that GMDSS was brought in to reduce running costs at HMCC, although why the UK relinquished coast radio stations is beyond belief!
 
Ariadne said:
DSC is very good if you take the time to learn how to use it. It also has nothing to do with radio checks and yapping to your mates either.

RTFM peeps, maybe do a DSC radio course, listen to the lecturer and take it in as well. Don't fight the technology because you don't understand how it works or want to know how it works. Use it, you may be surprised. Whats the point of having an AIS system if you can't call the ship by MMSI, or them you? Let alone using the safety side of the system.
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I think you are missing my point completely, and getting on your high horse over what YOU percieve EVERYBODY should be doing.

Well, you are completely Wrong!

I don't need DSC, AIS, Radar, chartplotter or any other fancy gismo. I go sailing to get away from the stresses of modern technology, so I keep everything as basic as possible. I've NEVER used the VHF at any time, apart from getting permission to leave/enter Peterhead harbour, so there is little or no chance of me ever using DSC.

I've no doubt that DSC is everything you say it is to those that NEED to use it, but for a fairly large proportion of lesure sailors, it's just another unnecessary gismo.
 
sailorman said:
That is generally borne by the Charity called The RNLI
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Never heard of them. Is it they with those blue and orange boats like the ones I used to work on? Run by retired naval officers.

Its only a matter of time before they are asked to take over the SAR service and coastguard as well. At least they'd do a better more efficient, value for money job than those at the top of the current setups.
 
Rowana said:
I think you are missing my point completely, and getting on your high horse over what YOU percieve EVERYBODY should be doing.

...

I've no doubt that DSC is everything you say it is to those that NEED to use it, but for a fairly large proportion of lesure sailors, it's just another unnecessary gismo.
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"Unnecessary gismo"??? Wash your mouth out! Gizmos are the spice of life - I want a nav station that would make the new aircraft carriers envyous! Haven't worked out how to dangle a pair of fluffy dice off the end of the boom without braining the crew yet - otherwise they would be there,swinging in the wind! :)
 
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