tonybarebones
Well-Known Member
National Coastwatch have been allocated a new dedicated nationwide VHF radio channel (65) which is due to go live at all 50+ NCI Stations in England & Wales on 1st October 2014.
National Coastwatch have been allocated a new dedicated nationwide VHF radio channel
- Thread starter tonybarebones
- Start date
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Many thanks. Good to know this.
single
Well-Known Member
For what though? I went in the Nells point one a few days ago, and i really can't see any need for them?
SteveSarabande
Well-Known Member
nells point is great for it's live weather and video feed. Cant really see the point of manning it though. do they really log every boat that goes past?
single
Well-Known Member
Probably, there's nothing else to do but whats the point? They seemed more interested in wildlife!!! A few seagulls?
chanelyacht
Well-Known Member
From a CG point of view, NCI does have some very good uses, and they can be a valuable resource.
The VHF channel is a poor decision and will just cause confusion though. Not for nothing are MCA management backing it whilst decimating the proper service.
graham
Well-Known Member
The Nells Point Coast Watch station spotted a capsized fishing dinghy today with 2 people in the water. With an accurate range and bearing from the point they were quickly found in choppy wind over tide conditions and rescued by the Bristol Port Company Pilot Vessel "Bristol Interceptor".
It seems unlikely to me anyone else would have spotted a small ,grey , upturned boat at that distance .
Well done to the Nells Point Coast Watch.
It seems unlikely to me anyone else would have spotted a small ,grey , upturned boat at that distance .
Well done to the Nells Point Coast Watch.
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Birdseye
Well-Known Member
why 65? why not 16 and 67? Or are they saying call on 16 and then go to 65? If so, that would make sense - the universal calling channel that everyone uses and then 65 to avoid any conflict with MCA.
single
Well-Known Member
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
sometimes have a chat as I go past lands end. always been phone so far. need to chat - not really its boredom more than anything else. but they are doing something useful and just like with the MCA its nice to thank them for keeping watch.
chanelyacht
Well-Known Member
65 because it was one of the available channels through Ofccom.
Not 16 because there's no need - like marinas, harbours, port controls, etc - it's a working channel and can be published, so no need to further congest 16.
Not 67 because it would conflict with HMCG working.
xeitosaphil
Well-Known Member
Could be that Coast Guard will refer all future Radio checks to NCI rather than taking up valuable VHF Ch16 time.
I seem to remember reading something recently about the amount of time it wastes, and people should be using sailing clubs and Port working channels for R/checks instead of CH 16.
I see Falmouth are putting out a advisories now, before any coastguard broadcasts ( August 20014) to use any other site other than Coast Guard CH16 for radio checks, so I wonder how long it will be before it becomes mandatory?
I seem to remember reading something recently about the amount of time it wastes, and people should be using sailing clubs and Port working channels for R/checks instead of CH 16.
I see Falmouth are putting out a advisories now, before any coastguard broadcasts ( August 20014) to use any other site other than Coast Guard CH16 for radio checks, so I wonder how long it will be before it becomes mandatory?
trapezeartist
Well-Known Member
Apparently you can use the "test" function of a DSC radio to do a radio check without the need for anyone else to get involved. I must confess my DSC knowledge doesn't extend further than the Panic button, so I'll have to read up on that. The new Coastguard regime will not get involved in radio checks and DSC is their solution.