ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I've just read a post about DSC 'polling' which has prompted me to wonder what is the correct procedure for calling an unknown vessel when you suspect a collision is possible.
VHF calling procedure
- Thread starter ghostlymoron
- Start date
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Have you taken a VHF Short Range Certificate? Coz it is (or it was) covered in the syllabub. However colregs advice against reverting to VHF in this situation, you should just buggeroffoutoftheway if the other vessels is not behaving in accordance with its obligations.
chanelyacht
Well-Known Member
Exactly.
VHF assisted collisions are not good news - simply stick to the Colregs and be prepared to deviate if needed.
If any of my watch officers picks up the VHF instead of navigating the ship, they're in for a rollocking.
VHF assisted collisions are not good news - simply stick to the Colregs and be prepared to deviate if needed.
If any of my watch officers picks up the VHF instead of navigating the ship, they're in for a rollocking.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Yes - I have done the VHF course but don't recall a procedure for calling unknown vessels, it's not in the book either. I agree with following Colregs procedure but occasionally it would be useful to contact other vessels specially at night when they are some way off.
JerryHawkins
Well-Known Member
I would use something along the lines of:
Fishing vessel in position <give aprox position>, this is <your details>, what are your intentions? over...
Fishing vessel in position <give aprox position>, this is <your details>, what are your intentions? over...
BrianH
Well-Known Member
Get an AIS receiver installed and then it is no longer an "unknown vessel" and you will have name or MMSI to call, either in the classic fashion or with DSC.
gjgm
Well-Known Member
only if he has AIS transmitter, of course !
BrianH
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
only if he has AIS transmitter, of course !
[/ QUOTE ]
Very true, but in my experience, all the ones that have frightened me enough to want to call them up were definitely in the class that have one.
In fact, last year I did just that when a 33 knot ferry was coming straight at me. Luckily I did have an AIS receiver and did have his name. As soon as I released the VHF transmit button he altered course.
only if he has AIS transmitter, of course !
[/ QUOTE ]
Very true, but in my experience, all the ones that have frightened me enough to want to call them up were definitely in the class that have one.
In fact, last year I did just that when a 33 knot ferry was coming straight at me. Luckily I did have an AIS receiver and did have his name. As soon as I released the VHF transmit button he altered course.
shmoo
Well-Known Member
AIS is especially useful for calling in the situation where you are the stand-on vessel, but it looks like big ship is not going to give way. A call to say you will give way, if he holds his course and speed often gets a quick, if slightly startled response along the lines of "I hold my course and speed, you pass under my stern. Thank you"
Saves the slightly nervous feeling that he might give way at the last moment by turning right on top of you.
Saves the slightly nervous feeling that he might give way at the last moment by turning right on top of you.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Agree with Jerry hawkins . Had to do it once mid channel with a ferry heading straight for us while we were tethered to the sea bed by fishing gear.
Also heard two ships (pre AIS) contact each in much the same way to establish each others intentions in the vicinity of the Nab.
Also heard two ships (pre AIS) contact each in much the same way to establish each others intentions in the vicinity of the Nab.
EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
'vessel on collision course with yacht 'Davey Jones' at Lat Long. I am flashing a lamp across your bridge to identify my position, have you seen me?'
If they acknowledge ask 'what avoiding action will you take?'
If they don't, you announce that you are taking avoiding action.
Happy sailing.
If they acknowledge ask 'what avoiding action will you take?'
If they don't, you announce that you are taking avoiding action.
Happy sailing.
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Have you taken a VHF Short Range Certificate? Coz it is (or it was) covered in the syllabub. However colregs advice against reverting to VHF in this situation, you should just buggeroffoutoftheway if the other vessels is not behaving in accordance with its obligations.
[/ QUOTE ]Can we have an amnesty to allow questions about VHF procedure on the forums, without being told to get a licence. It has become a taboo subject and stops any of us learning from contributors experiences in the real world. Just a thought. Nobody tells people asking about navigation that they should have a YM and insinuate they would then know everything... so why with VHF?
Have you taken a VHF Short Range Certificate? Coz it is (or it was) covered in the syllabub. However colregs advice against reverting to VHF in this situation, you should just buggeroffoutoftheway if the other vessels is not behaving in accordance with its obligations.
[/ QUOTE ]Can we have an amnesty to allow questions about VHF procedure on the forums, without being told to get a licence. It has become a taboo subject and stops any of us learning from contributors experiences in the real world. Just a thought. Nobody tells people asking about navigation that they should have a YM and insinuate they would then know everything... so why with VHF?
EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
Yes Doggo
Non licence holders are welcome here. Main thing is not the licence, but to be understood. There may come a time when I need your assistance.
My Pa (86) now uses a vhf fairly competently. He says he's way past passing exams at his age.
ps. it was because a vhf course late last year was held within walking distance of me that I decided to become an honest man.
Non licence holders are welcome here. Main thing is not the licence, but to be understood. There may come a time when I need your assistance.
My Pa (86) now uses a vhf fairly competently. He says he's way past passing exams at his age.
ps. it was because a vhf course late last year was held within walking distance of me that I decided to become an honest man.
mikewilkes
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I've just read a post about DSC 'polling' which has prompted me to wonder what is the correct procedure for calling an unknown vessel when you suspect a collision is possible.
[/ QUOTE ]
I always work on the principle "That if the S.O.B. is bigger than me I make sure I get out of his way".
You can argue about it later - cos you have not been hit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've just read a post about DSC 'polling' which has prompted me to wonder what is the correct procedure for calling an unknown vessel when you suspect a collision is possible.
[/ QUOTE ]
I always work on the principle "That if the S.O.B. is bigger than me I make sure I get out of his way".
You can argue about it later - cos you have not been hit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mikewilkes
Well-Known Member
Further to my last -
We worked off Israel a few years ago and all you could hear on 16 was
" vessel on course 285, speed 28 kts this is warship.........."
They very rarely got a reply. Clear the canal next bit of interest is off Sicily so nobody in the wheelhouse.
Think of that whilst you are trying to raise unknown vessel bearing down on you at 25 - 30 kts.
We worked off Israel a few years ago and all you could hear on 16 was
" vessel on course 285, speed 28 kts this is warship.........."
They very rarely got a reply. Clear the canal next bit of interest is off Sicily so nobody in the wheelhouse.
Think of that whilst you are trying to raise unknown vessel bearing down on you at 25 - 30 kts.
smeaks
Well-Known Member
When I was in the merch I remeber an incident when off the west coast of ireland and an Indian manned Bulk carrier was in the vicinity together with quite a large fleet of fishing boats off his port side, he made a call "Fishing vessel off my port bow this is ....." He got 20 odd very diret replies, in thick brogue, with regard to identifying the particular fishing vessel together with the identity of his farther!
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
We worked off Israel a few years ago and all you could hear on 16 was
**************************************************
Was that the rig that received a phone call from Mrcc Falmouth asking if they had really sunk off Tel Aviv?
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Seems the EPIRB had started up due to water ingress and the OIM was a mate of one of the watch officers at MRCC ... Problem solved without 10 Nimrods and numerous Sea Kings let alone the Israeli secret service. Happy Days.
**************************************************
Was that the rig that received a phone call from Mrcc Falmouth asking if they had really sunk off Tel Aviv?
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Seems the EPIRB had started up due to water ingress and the OIM was a mate of one of the watch officers at MRCC ... Problem solved without 10 Nimrods and numerous Sea Kings let alone the Israeli secret service. Happy Days.
