Marina requesting personal information on VHF?!

[Babylon]

Late Saturday afternoon, having had a lovely beat down the western Solent, called up Lymington Marina on Ch80 to request a visitor's berth for the night:

Me "Lym Marina, this is yacht Babylon. Over"
Marina: "Station calling Lym Marina...etc. Over."
Me "Can you accomodate a 27ft sailing yacht for the night? Over."
Marina: "One moment please... Yes, Alpha XX, port side to. What is your name and telephone number? Over."
Me: "My name is... err... actually I don't think its appropriate to request personal information over the radio. Over."
Marina: "Fine! Report to marina office as soon as you've berthed. Out."

In the event I decided to turn around and go into the Yacht Haven instead. Once we were snug there, I took the opportunity to call Lymington Marina on the mobile to let them know we weren't coming in after all, and to ask them why they'd requested personal information over the VHF - to which I was emphatically told that they never ask for personal information in advance! Poor cover-up of a poor performance!

 

[ShipsWoofy]

wow, that's shocking!

 

[VicS]

I suspect what they would normally ask someone calling by phone.
Simple mistake perhaps by someone not very experienced but smart enough to realise that you would not in fact give the info over the radio.

No big deal!

 

[andymcp]

We were taking a short trip from Troon to Kip a few weeks back when a call for a yacht came over the VHF. Sounded a lot like somebody at home (?!) on the blower to their partner on a boat, as they proceeded to say Mr Boat's mum was round, wanting to see the holiday photos, could he kindly supply the password for his laptop? He duly recited it quite happily (and I think I now know what car he drives/wants to drive).

As my wife commented, at least he hadn't given out any personal information....other than his boat name and where he keeps it berthed.

Let's hope he doesn't leave it unattended on board in future. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Channel Ribs]

At least on Ch80 your reply would not be audible to other yacht stations.

Still wrong of course, as said I suspect the operator forgot they were not on the phone.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

[ QUOTE ]
At least on Ch80 your reply would not be audible to other yacht stations

[/ QUOTE ]Unless of course someone had a handheld set to US mode..... in which case, they'd be able to listen to both sides of the conversation!

 

[Robin]

You can afford a vistor berth at Berthon? Wow, impressive! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Boomshanka]

The only two times I've been into Lym Yacht Haven, I've also been asked (and given) name, tel number, etc etc over CH80 before being given a berth number. Bit of a pain as you have to go round and round outside dodging the ferries whilst waiting for all the info to be taken down.

 

[Refueler]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
At least on Ch80 your reply would not be audible to other yacht stations

[/ QUOTE ]Unless of course someone had a handheld set to US mode..... in which case, they'd be able to listen to both sides of the conversation!

[/ QUOTE ]

?? Interested in this ... Ch80 is duplex ... as an M channel ..

Tx on 157.025 Rx on 161.625 ( as on board ... reversed if marina)

Ch 80A in USA is Tx / RX on 157.025 - so in fact would only be able to hear the yacht talking and nothing of shore. Ch 80 is Int'nl allocation. USA in fact doesn't have a channel to hear 161.625 ... well not on any VHF listings I have in office ...

 

[ChrisE]

There's a good reason why they ask for your telephone number. It is in case you forget to pay, they'll give you a ring to remind you as you sail up The Solent. You might ask how I know that........

 

[Spyro]

[ QUOTE ]
We were taking a short trip from Troon to Kip a few weeks back when a call for a yacht came over the VHF. Sounded a lot like somebody at home (?!) on the blower to their partner on a boat, as they proceeded to say Mr Boat's mum was round, wanting to see the holiday photos, could he kindly supply the password for his laptop? He duly recited it quite happily (and I think I now know what car he drives/wants to drive).

As my wife commented, at least he hadn't given out any personal information....other than his boat name and where he keeps it berthed.

Let's hope he doesn't leave it unattended on board in future. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Also heard that, She was in Ardrossan Marina and he was on another boat. Incredible?

 

[maxi77]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
We were taking a short trip from Troon to Kip a few weeks back when a call for a yacht came over the VHF. Sounded a lot like somebody at home (?!) on the blower to their partner on a boat, as they proceeded to say Mr Boat's mum was round, wanting to see the holiday photos, could he kindly supply the password for his laptop? He duly recited it quite happily (and I think I now know what car he drives/wants to drive).

As my wife commented, at least he hadn't given out any personal information....other than his boat name and where he keeps it berthed.

Let's hope he doesn't leave it unattended on board in future. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Also heard that, She was in Ardrossan Marina and he was on another boat. Incredible?

[/ QUOTE ]

No problem really as long as you change the pass word straight away. Mind you he probably wont.

 

[graham]

Big fuss over nothing in my opinion. Only other marinas or possibly someone with an American VHF would have heard it and it was only your name and mobile number they wanted.

Im sure it wouldnt have been a problem if you had just popped up to the office after berthing as they suggested.