Mobile Phones @ Sea

[Ross7300]

Yes they're dangerous, unreliable and have contributed to the saving of many lives- ok there are both good and bad points pertaining to the use of mobiles @ sea so maybe it' time there was a proper debate about the issue, and it is an issue!! The water sports market is currently expanding at a disproportionately high rate to that of other leisure sectors and by the very nature of our sport this poses a potentially lethal problem.

At present all documentation from the MCA, RYA & IMO assumes a "basic knowledge" of the maritime environment, however all to often this "basic knowledge" is overlooked by newcomers.

I am currently researching the implications of mobile telecoms within the maritime environment and would like to hear your thoughts and experiences regarding such communication devices. If anybody is aware of any other similar projects please pass their details on.

Regards,

Ross.

 

[JeremyF]

I suspect most of us carry fixed and hand-held VHF and mobile phones. They all get used for different applications. Hand-held are great for berthing instructions, mobiles for regular PSTN communication. Fixed for longer-range maritime comms.

Oh I forgot, Ive also got a pair of licence-exempt walkie talkies that the kids love to use, and they are useful from the tender back to the yacht.

Hey, its good to talk!

<font color=red>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=red>

 

[webcraft]

I hate mobile phones, don't know how to text. Bought one years ago specifically to keep in touch with home base while sailing. It's ideal for that.

Best maritime use: booking a table at the Old Forge when realising we might be close to the time limit for getting a meal while coming into Loch Nevis.

Most bizarre: Phoning Campbelltown harbour office from the pontoon in Campbelltown (distance approx. 75m) because it's in a VHF shadow (apparently).

Least successful - trying to call the coastguard from W. Loch Tarbert for advice . . . I guess that a lot of times poor VHF reception and poor mobile coverage go hand in hand.

This Summer, sailed from Sweden to Scotland with a skipper who HAD to be in mobile communication. Through (I suspect) overuse his phone had a dodgy battery. At every Scandinavian port he would approach a young, attractive woman and ask her if she had a Nokia charger he could use. Let me tell you, it's more effective as a chat-up line than you would think . . .

Coming across the N. Sea he appeared to be in a state of mild anxiety because he was out of touch . . . not for safety reasons or anything, this man was fearless when it came to sailing and I would cross any ocean with him - but just because he needed to know he could call people and they could call him. He started trying his phone 30 miles from Peterhead, then every mile until he eventually go a signal about eight miles out. Weird? Or am I strange? I get a lot hassle because I leave mine switched off unless I want to call someone.

What's to debate re. good and bad? It's inevitable that within 20 years we will all have tiny pocketable satphones and will all be able to contact each other - and the global network - no matter where we are on the planet.

For me, it's a shame - it WILL detract from the passagemaking experience - but it's going to happen whether we want it to or not.

<font color=blue>Nick</font color=blue> -

BlueMoment.Com
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com/>http://www.bluemoment.com/</A>

 

[Cornishman]

An interesting subject - I think. Perhaps I am suffering Saturday night doziness, but I am not sure what your question is.
Are you considering replacing marine VHF with mobile phones?
As far as I can see mobile phones are OK as long as users realise their limitations, range being the weakest link. But even if you have raised the Coastguard by phone you still cannot communicate with the helicopter which has come to your rescue, nor the lifeboat for that matter. A VHF distress call is heard by everyone with VHF switched on, but phones are 1 to 1.
There was the case of the yacht which had been burgled in Cherbourg and had the VHF stolen and was guided into Braye in fog by somebody doing some sort of DF on their mobile phone signals.
I can't agree that RYA publications assume everyone has some basic knowledge of the marine environment - see the syllabus for competent crew course.

 

[LadyInBed]

Everything in it\'s place

Handies are great <about 7 miles off to let the wife know that I've 'made it'.
TV is great on a night passge up to about 12 miles off.
Given the choise, I'd rather have a TV!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Screwing up other electronics

It's been said that a moby on a boat can cause stuff like radar and GPS to go loopy. Hasn't happened to me yet (but then again, I don't have radar)

 

[JeremyF]

I\'d be surprised

I doubt a mobile on 1800 MHz would screw up a radar on 4 or 6 GHz.

<font color=red>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=red>

 

[Peppermint]

Essential kit

Delivering a boat from South Coast to the Clyde it was obvious at a glance whether we where approaching land or in mid- Irish sea. Firstly was anyone on the phone and secondly how many "bars" did they have.

Charter skippers live and die by mobiles. Sailing a boat with a crew of 6 five of who where charter skippers was like sailing singlehanded.

Most marinas seem to answer the phone before the VHF.

 

[Guest]

It is possible

My background is electronic engineering and the equipment we make is subject to regulations regarding electro magnetic interference - which is what we are talking about.

It is possible for a mobile to interfer with any other electronic device regardless of that device's operating frequency if that device is susceptible to RF interference due to its assembly/design (watch your tv/computer screen if a mobile is nearby when a call is received (or listen to your radio/cd player/land line telephone). This subject (emc) is covered by a number of standards issued by various authorities - British Standards being one (BS EN 50082-1). This covers a number of emmissions/imunity levels from home to industrial but like all standards it is limited to certain frequencies, field strengths etc.

The bottom line is, would you risk you or your family and friends lives on the basis of a weather report not received properly, incorrect GPS position or radar info. Answer is probably no.

On the other hand they're really useful at times and could save your life.

I always keep my mobile either in a jacket pocket (away from wedding tackle) or on the other side of the boat from the chart table where most of the electronics are.

Regards

Geoff W

 

[Twister_Ken]

Is a wedding tackle like a handy billy? nm

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[ccscott49]

Re: Is a wedding tackle like a handy billy? nm

Some women think so!

 

[Guest]

A what?

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