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.

 

[BrendanS]

Good for making/changing reservations at restaurants, calling marinas to check availability way before you can make radio call, good for calling seastart if you have non urgent problem

Always have one on board and several have died due to sea water damage, so wouldn't trust them as a safety device. Useful backup to radio if all else fails.

pro's and con's have been debated many times

 

[Guest]

Agree with Brendan useful when your out of range (say 5 miles) for yer handheld and you want to phone ahead to chat up Vicky at Limehouse Marina to see if she can handle you.

Also to report the conditions and progress to the wife if you've been cruising all day and she wants a progress update.

Not to be relied on though for any other communication use VHF

"The Med has got me" (no not the Medway the other Med)

 

[hlb]

In most of the Harbours I get into down Devon and Cornwall Mobby phones dont work so use radio for contacting most folk. Tutts does have difficulty contacting the hair dresser though. Also phone masts are not to evident in the english chanel, so Mobbies again fairly crap. Is this the sort of answer you were looking for??

<font color=blue>Haydn

 

[brianrunyard]

Ok as a backup but not a substitute for a VHF. No good as the prime means of calling for help.
1. Other vessels in the area can't hear you.
2. The Coastguard/Lifeboat can't "Direction Find" to locate you.
3. I only seen Mobile Phone masts on land.
There are many more.

Brian
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brunyard

 

[rich]

(1. Other vessels in the area can't hear you)quote, from local paper,
The lifeboat was called out after a vhf call for help,when it reached the vessel in distress,they saw at least 10 other boats in the same area!

rich ) <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rich on 09/11/2002 23:31 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[DavidP]

Hi all

Some 20 or so miles SW of Portland Bill my mobile phone would not work at all ,i am on Vodapone pay as you go.

Dave.

 

[DepSol]

When I visit Dielette and stand up on the balcony at the capitanerie I can receive a signal from Guernsey Telecoms (now Cable and Wireless) so only pay for local calls back home and not roamer tariff.

My mate also uses his pay as you go which he would not normally be able to use in France.

Whilst out cruising in between France and the Islands I can always get a signal. But only keep it as a last resort.

Dom

I am boating again ;-)

 

[oldgit]

Was perfectly possible to use Uk cell sites while travelling down coast nr Calais/Bologne a few years ago..Have used cell phone approx 20 miles offshore on ferry to Denmark from Harwich..

And here is the weekend weather..

 

[Bejasus]

Dana Anglia. Sadly service now defunct.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/h00>h00's Project</A>

 

[jfm]

Not sure what there is to debate. You use a mobile at sea the same as on land, ie to call someone who has a phone not a VHF. Eg to call back home miles inland, book a restaurant etc etc. You use a VHF when the person you are calling has one (eg the marina, or CG) or if you dont know the other person's phone number (eg the boat over there, if you need to speak to them). For distress, you use VHF because (a) everyone can hear and rush to help, and (b) that is what the CG is expecting you to call on.

Incidentally, on the 60nm from Needles to Cherbourg, I find UK Voda and Cellnet work for 20 miles, then a 20 mile deadspot, then for the last 20 miles the French system can be reached. That's just using ordinary handhelds, no signal amplifier like you have in an installed carphone

 

[nautigirl]

You use a VHF when the person you are calling has one (eg the marina)


Generally true but there are exceptions. We have always had great difficulty in getting St Kats to respond to a VHF call but they will usually pick up the phone! So mobile has proved invaluable

 

[Guest]

As a means of communicating non marine issues, mobile phones are excellent and have also taken out a lot of 'chatter' from the airwaves. It makes perfect sense to use them in this way.
As a means of summoning help in an emergency, they are very restricted in their abilities because nobody else can 'hear' your call, bar the number dialled, so a potentially closer 'rescuer' has no idea you are in trouble.
Using VHF, your can 'hear' and 'be heard' by all in that area, your VHF can be used by the emergency services to 'Home in' on your signal if you are lost from sight. In foggy condtions, other vessels VHF communications help you to build up a picture of movements in your area. Mobile phones can do none of these things. The more people rely on mobiles, the less likely they are be 'switched on' and maintaining a 'listening watch' thus reducing the chances of someone in your area coming to help you.
Good VHF practice should be encouraged in all areas of the marine industry, hand helds are very cheap when compared to the overall cost of any form of water craft.
The range of a cell phone is irrelevant in these matters, it is the ability to communicate within the area of your location that matters.
I think people are put off buying and learning how to use a VHF set properly, by the thought of all the red tape that goes with it. Safety should not be a means of taxation, A 'one off' fee for what is in reality, a fairly simply 'exam', should suffice and encourage everyone to be able to use and understand VHF procedures with confidence.
No doubt, some of these issues will be resolved over the years, as mobile phones become even more sophisticated, but for the time being my view is that VHF remains supreme for maritme communications.
Good luck with your research!!
Peter.

 

[Guest]

i think mobil phones do have a place at sea but keep well away from your electronics do not use in place of radio for emergency unless your radio has gone doen
and at no time would i like to see mobil phones used just to save licence fee

 

[wakeup]

A means to indicate nearing land in fog or dark

I've heard of one individual who has used his mobile phone to indicate when nearing land in dodgy conditions because he gets a signal.

I wouldn't use this instead of radar though ;-)

Save a cow, eat a vegetarian.