How to adress the remote radio stations based on offshore platforms

[funk-an-bord.de]

I am teaching SRC courses and when looking on the map explaining the A1, A2 ... sea area,
I see in the north sea the coverage of radio based on offshore platforms.
I am wondering who is operating these radio stations?
How to adress them: "radio Dunbar Oil Rig" ?

In the Admiralty List of Radio Stations was no entry.
I was guessing some asumtions in the database of the ITU
http://www.itu.int/online/mms/mars/coast/coast_search.sh
but havent found an entry.

Do these radio staions have a MMSI?

Or are they seen as a simply extension of the coast guard on shore?
Thanks, Wilhelm

 

[rogerthebodger]

Don't know about the north sea but I do know at least one of the rigs off the southern cape cost has AIS that transmits its MMSI.

BTW it also says its status is "Underway" ?????

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Del: Holland?!
Gas Man: What!
Del: Which way to Holland?!
Gas Man: It's over there!
Del: Thank you John!

 

[onesea]

Try addressing them something like:

<Oil rig name> Control or
<Oil rig name> Radio


If there is a standby boat they are more likely to answer on 16. Rigs tend not to bother listening on 16 and have there "own" VHF working channel..

 

[knuterikt]

I am teaching SRC courses and when looking on the map explaining the A1, A2 ... sea area,
I see in the north sea the coverage of radio based on offshore platforms.
I am wondering who is operating these radio stations?
How to adress them: "radio Dunbar Oil Rig" ?

In the Admiralty List of Radio Stations was no entry.
I was guessing some asumtions in the database of the ITU
http://www.itu.int/online/mms/mars/coast/coast_search.sh
but havent found an entry.

Do these radio staions have a MMSI?

Or are they seen as a simply extension of the coast guard on shore?
Thanks, Wilhelm

This information is for the Norwegian sector.


Some practical information first, if you try to go near an oil installation the safety center will try to contact you on VHF 60 min before entering the safety zone which is 500 meter radius.
The fixed installations is marked by name in the maps, like this (follow the link), and they have manned radio stations on board.
http://www.norgeskart.no/statisk.html#6/-256489/6515864/-land/+sjo/+embedMaskLayer/+pekere+embed.box

The movable ones have got AIS, so with a AIS receiver you you can get the MMSI numbers.

In Norway we have five manned coastal radio stations that cover the Norwegian coast including Jan Mayen and Bjørnøya.
Rogaland and Florø radio have remotely operated installations on the oil platforms to extend the coverage.

VHF-channel plan South Norway
http://public.asphost.no/lastned.asp?dokument=153

VHF-channel plan Northern-Norway
http://public.asphost.no/lastned.asp?dokument=154

VHF-channel plan Nordic countries
http://public.asphost.no/lastned.asp?dokument=170

So if I was close to the Sleipner-A platform I would call Rogaland radio on ch 79 directly (for normal traffic).

For some odd reason these pdf wont open on my phone, but work fine on the laptop.
IMG link http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/knuterikt/VHF/VHF_SouthNorway_zpsd0b7b5d1.png

 

[Bilgediver]

If there are coastguard repeaters operating on oil rigs then they are not part of the owners equipment and if in range of such a station
You call the relevant shore master station. IE Rogoland Radio if they are transmitting from it.

The rig itself may well have an MMSI number however this may not be connected with the coastguard radio which will probably respond to theRogoland. MMSI

 

[Searush]

Do they serve casual visitors then? Could be useful, rather like M-way services. :encouragement:

 

[prv]

If there are coastguard repeaters operating on oil rigs then they are not part of the owners equipment and if in range of such a station
You call the relevant shore master station. IE Rogoland Radio if they are transmitting from it.

The rig itself may well have an MMSI number however this may not be connected with the coastguard radio which will probably respond to theRogoland. MMSI

I have no additional facts to add, but this seems like the right answer. Just as Solent Coastguard having an additional aerial at the Needles doesn't mean you call "Needles Coastguard", a repeater that happens to be mounted on an oil rig doesn't mean you call the rig. The sea area designation is about what equipment you need to communicate with the MRCC covering the area - it's still the MRCC that you talk to regardless of how their coverage is implemented.

Pete

 

[Bilgediver]

Do they serve casual visitors then? Could be useful, rather like M-way services. :encouragement:

On more than one occasion I have spoken to yachty friends including son on first
North Sea race with the help of offshore installations. It gives some a boost to hear a friendly
Voice when least expected. Just need to get the timing right to catch in range.

Not unusual for ships to pass food and diesel to needy yotties.

 

[greeny]

I've worked out there for 30 years plus and would suggest that if you call "(name of platform) radio room" on channel 16 you will get a response and request to change to one of their working channels. The radio room will be monitoring 16 as well as their working channels normally. (at least on the rigs I've been on).
We already know the working channels so we call direct on those. Note that not all radio rooms are 24hr manned but the call will be answered after hours by the main control room which is 24 hr manned normally. Alternatively one of the platform standy boats may answer if the rig doesn't come back to you.

 

[pagoda]

I've worked out there for 30 years plus and would suggest that if you call "(name of platform) radio room" on channel 16 you will get a response and request to change to one of their working channels. The radio room will be monitoring 16 as well as their working channels normally. (at least on the rigs I've been on).
We already know the working channels so we call direct on those. Note that not all radio rooms are 24hr manned but the call will be answered after hours by the main control room which is 24 hr manned normally. Alternatively one of the platform standy boats may answer if the rig doesn't come back to you.

+1 for that comment.

I would think any standby boat would happily pass on any detailed weather they have for their location (and they DO get pretty good forecasting). Almost all fixed installations radio rooms work 6-18h or 7-19h, though control rooms are usually 24H. Mobile rigs almost always have 24 Hr coverage in the radio room - minor gaps at meal times. I am fairly sure there would be more interest than any other reaction generated by a polite call..

Graeme

Currently in Hardangerfjord