using VHF - boat's name or radio call sign?

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Shearwater

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If the radio wotsit authority goes to the trouble of issuing us all with a unique call sign, why does everyone use their boat's name exclusively on the radio? There is not any requirement in the UK to display conspicuous the VHF call sign on the hull for the benefit of a helicopter or lifeboat (or Border Agency rib!!) so what is the point of it all ?? No doubt we all like to use the name, and it's probably easier for the coastguards who probably get to know regular users by their handles - call signs are impersonal and easily forgotten. Why do we have them?
 
Quoting your call sign is now part of the correct distress and urgency radio procedure, and much less likely to be mis-identified than a boat name; it will also be unique, which boat names often aren't.
 
As above . Its unique. It's short, unlike some boat names, and is unlikely to be misheard or mispronounced.
 
Call signs in Oz

greenalien said:
Quoting your call sign is now part of the correct distress and urgency radio procedure, and much less likely to be mis-identified than a boat name; it will also be unique, which boat names often aren't.
Click to expand...

Same here in Australia - I've been in the local Marine Rescue control room and it only takes the time to say your call sign twice for them to tap in the computer and up comes a screen with your name, boat name, colour of hull and decks, contact phone numbers etc etc
Sailorbaz
 
Your Call Sign is not usually displayed on your boat, unlike it's name. So if anyone is looking for you, or have been asked if they have seen you, its the boat name that would be used. I would use boat name, you can always relay your call sign if needed - my boat name, call sign and MMSI are all displayed below my VHF...
 
greenalien said:
Quoting your call sign is now part of the correct distress and urgency radio procedure, and much less likely to be mis-identified than a boat name; it will also be unique, which boat names often aren't.
Click to expand...

It is more fundamental than that - the Mayday voice call has now been updated and it is now a requirement Mayday procedure to include both the MMSI number and call sign - twice!
 
Solitaire said:
greenalien said:
Quoting your call sign is now part of the correct distress and urgency radio procedure, and much less likely to be mis-identified than a boat name; it will also be unique, which boat names often aren't.
Click to expand...

It is more fundamental than that - the Mayday voice call has now been updated and it is now a requirement Mayday procedure to include both the MMSI number and call sign - twice!
Click to expand...
I don't know if you're aware of this, but the Mayday voice call has now been updated so quoting your call sign is now part of the correct distress and urgency radio procedure.
;)
 
Callsign is hugely more efficient for us in the ops room - less chance of misspelling, or having to decipher what the name may be. Also means that you're much easier searched in the log, which can be viewed by any CG station around the country, so if your details are needed from an overdue call, or whatever, there's going to be no confusion.

There are a very large number of boats with pretty much unintelligible names, which means that even for things like radio checks (which we do log) everything is made twice as hard as needs be.

We do get to know our local boats obviously, but bear in mind we may be working another station's area, so even then c/s is much easier.
 
John100156 said:
Your Call Sign is not usually displayed on your boat, unlike it's name. So if anyone is looking for you, or have been asked if they have seen you, its the boat name that would be used. I would use boat name, you can always relay your call sign if needed - my boat name, call sign and MMSI are all displayed below my VHF...
Click to expand...

So just how easy is it for a helicopter crew to read your boats name at 300 paces?
 
Solitaire said:
Did I miss something or is that not what I said? The link takes you through to the new procedure. :confused:
Click to expand...

Good grief - the fact was stated twice, just like you advised! It was light hearted moment.
 
Solitaire said:
Did I miss something or is that not what I said? The link takes you through to the new procedure. :confused:
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Yes, it's what you said. It's also what Greenalien had already said in the post that you quoted. That's why I put the winking smiley on it, and why the words I used were yours and greenalien's, seamlessly combined.

Thank you, BlowingOldBoots for spotting that it was intended to be a lighthearted comment. Not heavy criticism, not willie waving. Just a joke. Sorry.
 
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I have read these threads from time to ttime over several years and this one demonstrates a feature that has always puzzled me......... Someone asks an inane question and disappears off the scene, leaving anyone similarly at a loose end to show off their knowledge (or lack of it on the very odd occasion). The next bit is what fascinates me- when everything descends into insult and name-calling. Where is the fun in all this - please tell!
 
boomerangben said:
So just how easy is it for a helicopter crew to read your boats name at 300 paces?
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You're more likely to have been seen at some time/point by a passing yacht, perhaps on AIS, I tend to look at the boat name. If it gets to the point where a Mayday or PanPan has been called, I would have already given my call sign and MMSI, as it's located in rather large lettering at both my radio stations....

Interesting that the call procedure has now changed, I will adhere to it rigidly, promise....

Mind you in the Med, I have not heard a thing from the coastguard in the last 4 years.....
 
Solitaire said:
It is more fundamental than that - the Mayday voice call has now been updated and it is now a requirement Mayday procedure to include both the MMSI number and call sign - twice!
Click to expand...

Having looked at the new procedure it seems that you still give your boat name 4 times but your MMSI and Call Sign only twice, so it seems boat name is still very important:

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
THIS IS: Coral Rae, Coral Rae, Coral Rae
MMSI: XXXXXX Call Sign: XXXXX
MAYDAY Coral Rae
MMSI: XXXXXX Call Sign: XXXXX

So, if in the old system you give your Boat Name (x4) and MMSI (x2), can someone tell me what additional information the Call Sign provides the CG? Is it faster for them when tracking down boat info?
 
John100156 said:
So, if in the old system you give your Boat Name (x4) and MMSI (x2), can someone tell me what additional information the Call Sign provides the CG? Is it faster for them when tracking down boat info?
Click to expand...

Depends on the database we're searching - not everyone remembers to update info, say, on CG66 if they upgrade from non to DSC VHF.

Likewise large numbers of boats still do not have DSC sets, so the procedure (which is a worldwide one) has to be written to accommodate everyone.
 
I didn't know there is a new procedure but if I'm sending a Mayday or PAN with my shiny new DSC which is interfaced to a effective but old GPS why should I waste time with MMSI and call signs. Isn't this what DSC was supposed to alleviate without user input......as in moments of panic ?

Just as an aside and purposely going off subject, who invented the term PAN and why?
 
Shearwater said:
I didn't know there is a new procedure but if I'm sending a Mayday or PAN with my shiny new DSC which is interfaced to a effective but old GPS why should I waste time with MMSI and call signs. Isn't this what DSC was supposed to alleviate without user input......as in moments of panic ?
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Because not every potential helping vessel nearby will have DSC, so a voice call is followed up in the normal way.

Quoting your MMSI number as well helps tie up your voice call to the DSC alert - there have been instances when a DSC call alone, and a voice call alone, have come from nearly the same area. They were assumed to be the same vessel - they weren't.
 
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