VHF - what do you do?

[Mirelle]

Re: As one of the one in five

As a matter of fact, I overheard that one, and the tow into Shotley by the Walton LB.

But I dislike being told what I "ought" to do.

 

[Mirelle]

Re: OK! OK!...... Woah !!

Blimey! How many weather forecasts do you want!

BBC LW plus CG repeats are surely enough for anyone.

 

[fireball]

Re: As one of the one in five

So, if someone cries for help in the street do you pass by on the other side?

You shouldn't need to be told that you should see if they need help (ok - some areas it may not actually be a good idea - but a bit of common sense here please!) ...

and I believe the same applies to the sea....

if someone "cries for help" then you should first evaluate if you are in a position to help - the emergency services may well already be involved in another incident or quite a distance off

How are you going to hear them if you don't listen on Ch16 ? (ok there is more than one way to raise an emergency call - but the most common is mobile phone ... I mean VHF !! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif )

 

[fireball]

Re: OK! OK!...... Woah !!

Can't it be like the speaking clock ....


At the third stroke there will be a 20kt SE gust in the regions of Dover and White ... beep beep BEEEEEEEEEP

At the third stroke there will be increase cloud coverage over Plymouth ... beep beep BEEEEEEEEEP



Hours of endless fun!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: OK! OK!...... Woah !!

Not always at a convenient time though are they?

This weekend, I missed the LW forecast due to an important work phone call on the way down to the boat, and by the time I got there, the local VHF forecast was long past.....

It would have been nice to have a most current forecast to at least confirm that my plans for early the next morning could remain in place...

As it happens, I had left the Navtex on... so did have one..... but....

Uncomfortable with your comments about you been unhappy with being 'told what you ought' to do.... would hope that someone with your obvious experience, and without wishing to 'butter you up', reputation as a knowledgeable chap, would appreciate the point I am trying to make.... I would hope that mariners of all persuasions would be the last bastion of 'do unto others as you would want done upon thyself'

 

[Mirelle]

Re: OK! OK!...... Woah !!

Not getting at you;, my comments were aimed at Dogwatch's amazing display of Olde English Pomposity - just the sort of thing that we used to associate with blue ensigns, white trousers, Snotti Clubs and yachting caps! I did not think it still went on! ;-)

I don't see the point in having the VHF on when, for example, I am asleep on board on the mooring! Nor when I am pottering slowly down a creek trying to listen to birds, to take two examples.

Getting back to weather forecasts, I know what you mean, but I tend to assume that if I want to start before the 05.30ish LW forecast I can always change my mind should it prove to be a stinker. The only question about the weather this weekend, given the settled situation, was "how strong will the sea breeze be?" and the answer was "quite strong!"

 

[l'escargot]

I'm one of the 1 in 5 who don't have my radio on all the time I'm out.

Out in the boat I am not "on call", I have no responsibility for anyone else and I certainly don't consider I am "morally" responsible for looking after others. Having said that I would immediately render assistance if I saw anyone in need - most probably by calling the professionals.

There are a lot of people on here who seem to get "messing about in boats" mixed up with "going to sea". What next, give out mobile phone numbers to those who don't have vhf so they can call me to help them as well?

Whatever happened to personal responsibility?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: OK! OK!...... Woah !!

[ QUOTE ]
I don't see the point in having the VHF on when, for example, I am asleep on board on the mooring! Nor when I am pottering slowly down a creek trying to listen to birds, to take two examples.

[/ QUOTE ]No argument with that.... in both cases you would be of little or no practical support to a real emergency other than perhaps a nasty grounding with hull damage in a creek, where visuals would work just as well....

As an aside, treated the kids during the week to a lovely bird identfication book, which they thoroughly enjoyed this weekend, looking out for numerous different species, and avidly trying to ID everything with wings!

The Backwaters was however somewhat spoilt by a group on the beach being entertained by one of their number playing the accordian.... no problem with that.... they were having a grand time, which I am always in favour of.... until he started playing 'Jingle Bells' at 22h00.... while we sat in our cockpit in nothing but shorts given the heat, enjoying a good book each.... was completely surreal

 

[Mirelle]

Sea breeze - room for improvment!

Know what you mean!

There's a good, out of print, book, called "The Yachtsman's Naturalist", by Maldwin Drummond, which is worth looking out for.

Too much sea breeze in the afternoon, and not enough land breeze at night/ early morning.

"Fings aint what they used to be" - a proper "shrimper's wind" has a decent land breeze to match the sea breeze, so you have a fair wind out to sea and a fair wind home in the evening!

I blame these engines, myself - when people only had sails, God made better winds for them! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Re: OK! OK!...... Woah !!

You can't change the rules half way through an argument in order to lambaste me, you made it clear you never have your VHF switched on, now it seems what you really meant was you never have your VHF on when asleep at mooring or creeping though backwaters.

You sir, argue like a wife!

 

[Mirelle]

Crikey!

I wrote, at the outset...

"But yes, the set has dual watch so when I do have it on - eg when crossing traffic lanes or in commercial ports, one channel will be 16."

I went on to say, in response to a question about length of time listening before making a call, that in my case that time would be "measured in days" - i.e. I often have the set on but very very seldom make a call.

I then went on to say that I did overhear both the episode mentioned by Magna Carta and another one on Sunday - i.e. I had the set on.

You then write:

"You can't change the rules half way through an argument in order to lambaste me, you made it clear you never have your VHF switched on , now it seems what you really meant was you never have your VHF on when asleep at mooring or creeping though backwaters.

You sir, argue like a wife!"

Pot... kettle... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif