marine VHF certificates of competence

[Cornishman]

Not really. When I passed my driving test the examiner turned to me and said, "Now you can start to learn to drive". The same principle applies. Give 'em the basics and let 'em get the lifetime's experience afterwards.
BTW you have failed - or was that your idea of a joke? If so, failed again.

 

[Cornishman]

I know I might be accused of being pedantic, but VHF Only EXAMS finished some years ago when they introduced the Short Range Certificate. Since then training and assessment are all rolled into one, the assessment being carried out by the instructor during the course of the training. Consequently, don't glorify the instructor assessors by calling them examiners.

 

[LadyInBed]

Damn! another failure
Aint life a bitch /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[narooma]

Quote:- Mind, the one emergency I've been involved in (3 men overboard from another boat) I had an air traffic controller aboard whom I asked to operate the radio during the crisis. So I can't say I've really been tested yet.

Ok about the metaphor but as a pilot I know that the instruction recieved and the chance to perfect the use of VHF in aviation is so considerably greater as to be beyond comparison. A pilot will remain coherent and follow the understood proceedure out of habit. A 'yachty' will struggle to get the format right under no pressure and when under pressure will struggle even more. This is not to say the information will not get through, just that with some idea of what is expected (s)he at least stands a chance. If you dont believe me then immediately you have finished reading this, go through the sequence for abandoning ship and see how much info you miss. So to get some idea of what's expected, take the course.

 

[RestlessL]

Of course the anomoly is in para 12 of the Ship Radio Licence - ".... in the event of an emergency ...... the radio equipment may be used by any person ......." so you are not actually required to hold the CoC to make a Mayday call.

 

[narooma]

Yes, but you are aware of all the rest of the DO NOT section and also section 7d. While I appreciate that it is unlikely that anyone is going to be prosecuted for using the incorrect procedure in an emergency the crunch comes when dealing with someone who has limited command of English and if they don't understand because you don't transmit in the accepted format. Then you could have problems. It is hard enough in aviation where the accepted language is English. There are still international airports where the pilot tends to repeat instructions 'for clarity', and this is with daily usage of VHF.
I have difficulty understanding why anyone would wish to further dilute an already fragile system.

 

[RestlessL]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, but you are aware of all the rest of the DO NOT section and also section 7d.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure what you are refering to.

[ QUOTE ]
I have difficulty understanding why anyone would wish to further dilute an already fragile system.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was not my intention. I support the concept of the CoC, and, and found the course to be very worth while, in spite of years of prior knowledge and experience.

John

 

[EdWingfield]

In an emergency I will try to remain coherent Freewind. If you are in the vicinity please accept any imperfect comms and do your best.

I will do the same for you.

 

[wotayottie]

There is a provision in the way the scheme is organised for you to just take the exam without doing the course. I think the exam fee for that is somewhere round the £20 mark whereas by comparison I charge £50 for the full course.

having "worked with comms" wont help - the test is about specific marine procedures and also includes a fair bit about things like epirbs, plbs, etc. All pretty simple stuff, but totally different from (for example) the comms stuff I did for ham radio. I've had police, ambulance, and pilots on courses, and none of their prior knowledge was much use.

Easy to book learn if you want.

 

[narooma]

Sorry John, didn't intend to sound agressive or 'get at' you.
I was refering to the Ofcom Ship Radio Information.


Re Teredo,
Yes of course, and it will help that we remember to mention where we are, what we are looking for, and preferably how many 'we' are. Hopefully it never happens but...