Is it me?

[claymore]

Just had a few days on the boat. The VHF seemed cluttered by people needing radio checks and giving 'routine traffic' messages. Is this:
a) because they are being naturally cautious?
or
b) they like playing on the radio and feel a need to say something to someone no matter what?
or
c) they just like to make the Coastguard feel wanted?

AND another thing
I know we are encouraged to speak clearly but I wonder why people start talking in braille?

regards
Claymore

 

[webcraft]

Braille?

You'll have to explain that one . . .

- Nick

BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com

 

[Chris_Robb]

I occaisionally make a call to HMCG for a radio check. As I use the radio very little, it's nice to know if its still working. A stich in time

 

[hlb]

Yes it's a bloody nuisance, suppose the coast guard thinks so to. But. When youve not been down to the boat for a week or two. How else do you know if the radio is still working. No good calling the marina cos it will work to there even if three quarters Knackered.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

I heard that they are only too pleased to have any number of calls regardless if they are radio checks or maydays as the total annual number is always logged and if they look too quiet they are shut down.

 

[theduke]

c.g. doesn't mind generally, just use a bit of common ,listen first to make sure no serious working in progress,and when your told you are loud and clear,out of courtesy and for there own information ,let them know how their signal is also,,
funnily enough c.g's actually have an interest in the sea and those upon it. and not just because thats their job

 

[claymore]

Probably could have thought of a better word but its when people - speak - in - a - very - slow - and - delib - er - ate - manner.
I can't see why when your boat is called windsong for example - you cannot just say windsong - not wind - song. Its easy enough to recognise or decipher.
Perhaps it wouldn't annoy me as much if they'd get the actual procedure correct - There were plenty calling the coastguard 3 times then only saying their own name once - for example - one guy even announced he was sailing from Oban which he then went on to explain was in Scotland!
Moan over now!!!

regards
Claymore

 

[oldsaltoz]

We have a local Catamaran called Margay, when you hear “Margay - Margay - Margay” hair stands on end because it sounds like Mayday - Mayday - Mayday.
I'm sure readers have a number of listings that also cause confusion or perhaps have a other double meanings.

Avagoodweekend Old Salt Oz……

 

[Jeremy_W]

Could they be charter boats? One of the basic tests I carry out when taking charge of a charter yacht is to ensure that the VHF works, but I usually simply call up the marina office from the berth on 1W.

 

[Guest]

Choice of boat's name is often a cause for merriment over the VHF. There used to be a Moody based in Dartmouth called Don't Panic. One day it received a call from HMS Sirius - I leave how that call sounded to you!
I saw a boat on the Exe on Friday with a completely unpronoucable name - to me anyway. It had about 15 letters in it, too.
Anybody enjoy the thunder & lightning at sea on Friday pm?

 

[claymore]

Hmm - they may be....I would have expected the charterer to go through VHF operation (and ensuring that it works) with you when you picked up the boat, does this not happen?

regards
Claymore

 

[Jeremy_W]

Not in my (limited) experience. NM

*

 

[tcm]

Re: moan restarted

lots of vhf nattering seems silly. A heard a charter flotilla calling each other with only a few hundred yards separation all seeemingly unable to use the device without calling the boat name three times, which seemed a bit unneccessary. I wondered if the boats were indeed called "claymore claymore claymore" or whatever and checked later.


However...in med france and spain nobody checks the vhf, cos there's nobody with whom to check. No problems of course, until there are some prioblems, so you need a mobile phone and a very good set of working prayers.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

I assume it was raining with a F6 on the nose, so it is scotland
If the weather had been perfect it would have been Oban in the Uk.


if it F***s Flies or Floats, Rent it.

 

[Aja]

What do you think will have happened to the radio in a couple of weeks? Struck by lightning? Antenna knocked over by a passing seagull?If its been struck by lightning you'll notice something missing at the top of the mast, ditto seagull problem.

Far too many calls to the CG for 'radio checks'. I think we should all be charged £1 for each one. Why call the CG? No -one else to talk to?

I for one do one call ususally to a local marina on channel 80 at the start of the season. I then assume for the rest of the season if no-one replies to a call, they dont want to talk to me!

Donald

 

[robp]

Not on the day a few years ago, when C.G. was heard to say with a sigh, "You're all loud and clear".

 

[tcm]

Re: HMCG

I'm afraid I still listen in, waiting for the joyous times when CG responds to yet another caller that "You're weak and feeble!" and can only imagine the indignant response from the habitual checker. tee hee!

 

[hlb]

No. I rarely ask for a radio check. Having said that. I have been in the middle of the Irish Sea going to Holy Head. When the GPS Stopped working. and the range on the VHS had dropped to two miles. Talking to the marina didn't help.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[ToMo]

Re: Is it me?...well if you don\'t know...

....you better ask the students!
<G>

 

[gerryl]

I don't know about eveyone else, but this seems to be just a 'Solent' phenonemen.
went to the West country, Normandy, C.I's Brighton, Dover et al and once you get out of the Solent you have to keep checking your radio to make sure it hasn't packed up! In fact, in two weeks in normandy last year, not once did we hear a request to check. I also think some of the radio checks come from boats still moored up because of bad weather - either out of boredom or possibly a 'look at me- I'm out in it!'