radio chat to passing yachts

[MM5AHO]

I remember last year (or maybe year before) the Coastguard in Clyde calling a MOBO they'd seen out the window.
There was a loose dinghy afloat drifting, so they called that boat and asked them to tow in ashore. Can't remember exact wording, but they called it by description and location. (eg "Motor vessel with Red cabin motoring down river off Greenock" Or similar)

 

[KellysEye]

If you are offshore or ocean sailing it's rare to see another boat or ship. We used to call them and they were happy to chat, it breaks the tedium. Obviously no need to give a position because you are the only two out there.

 

[ffiill]

It will depend on them having the VHF switched on. Doesn't seem a lot of point if over 20 miles off shore. Not knowing their name can be a bind. "yot 20 miles NW of Holyhead" may catch their attention, but then again it may not.

Rarely have my radio on other than when passing harbours;ferry routes etc or if I see something big heading my way.
But then here in nw highlands other boats close are a rarity.

 

[Neil_Y]

I don't get this, surely the remote quiet places where you rarely see another vessel is exactly where you should have ch16 on. If there is someone who needs help there won't be many vessels passing.

In a busy area or near a harbour or shore where others could notice someone in distress it is less likely you will be needed.

I will always have ch16 on apart from when we are offshore in the F18 when it'ss in the grab bag with the epirb, if we have a problem and turn it upside down you won't see us as we'll only be a few inches above the waves. The whole point is someone sending a distress will be hoping that all the boats/sails they see will have the radio on.

 

[fishermantwo]

I always sail with my VHF on and set to scan. The channels saved in scan are those that I know are the local professional fishermens channels in the area I'm traversing and the navy's chat channel[69]. This way you get on the spot weather reporting and gossip. Fishermen here always start their chat with water temperature,colour and current and of course the weather. All vital stuff that may save your life.

 

[rib]

im surprised by how many turn their radio off.....hope i dont end up in a liferaft one day with only a hand held...........oh well what ever you see as best

 

[richardsnowstar]

im surprised by how many turn their radio off.....hope i dont end up in a liferaft one day with only a hand held.......

Interesting that some switch of where it is busy and others switch off offshore. I see it as a responsibility to listen on channel 16 in case of other vessels in difficulty and in the Solent I have often heard of situations on the VHF where someone close could assist. Unless battery life is a serious problem why would you not listen in case someone nearby needs assistance or possibly you could relay a weak mayday signal to the coastguard?

As for the middle of the channel I too "hope i dont end up in a liferaft one day with only a hand held" and someone nearby not keeping a proper lookout.