Windemere VHF

[oldrib]

is there any point getting a vhf, Do the lake wardens monitor vhf on the lake for emergencies? i know they have a phone number or 999 but mobiles dont work wet.

 

[davidbfox]

Don't know! But please share the answer. I know there is a blank spot with no phone signal on t-mobile south of the ferry.

I think I remember from a couple of years ago that lake wardens now share radio communications with coastguard, so standard VHF should work.

But couldn't you just ask them?

David

 

[aquaplane]

I was told by the Wardens to ring.

I know they have VHF, and have seen them use it, but I don't know what chanel they monitor or use. They should monitor Ch16 but I have heard folk trying to call them and got no reply, I think that's not only poor service, it's bad seamanship.

Liverpool Coastguard monitor Ch16, their mast is on that hill on the west side of the north lake and gives good coverage.

 

[VicS]

Use of the marine VHF bands on Windermere would not be legal would it?

If it isn't then the Wardens are not going to use it communicate with lake users although they may have a licence to communicate with the Coastguard.

If there is good coverage of the lake from the Liverpool coastguard aerial perhaps communication with them in an emergency would be acceptable. You would normally call the Coastguard in an emergency rather than a harbour masters office around the coast wouldn't you.

 

[aquaplane]

Use of the marine VHF bands on Windermere would not be legal would it?

Dead right, we shouldn't use col regs either, what's needed is a completely different system(s) for all boat users to learn just for fresh water.

 

[VicS]

we shouldn't use col regs either, what's needed is a completely different system(s) for all boat users to learn just for fresh water.

Well the IRPCS dont apply to Windermere, do they?
Navigation on Windermere is controlled by the "Windermere Navigation Byelaws 2008" isn't it?

Conveniently very similar in parts to some sections of the IRPCS but some significant differences also.

Certainly a whole load of stuff for boat users on Windermere to learn, specifically for Windermere, that they wont need to know for freshwater elsewhere!

 

[NormanS]

Use of the marine VHF bands on Windermere would not be legal would it?

Whyever not?

 

[Lakesailor]

I was told by the Wardens to ring.

Call 015394 42753 to get the Warden or 999 for the Coastguard, who calls the warden. Except after the Wardens finish for the night, of course.
The same applies on Coniston, (except the warden's number is different)
He reckons that normally by the time the Coastguard calls him he's been there already.

Vodafone is the only service with good coverage in the Lakes. They have a transmitter room at the top of Wray Castle, on the West side of the lake called The Vodafone Room. (they also have plenty of other transmitters, so just about everywhere is covered)

 

[andygc]

Use of the marine VHF bands on Windermere would not be legal would it?

Yes - maritime radio can be used inland - by licensed boats and shore stations, of course. The Inland Waterways Association has a web page about it.

 

[lenseman]

Yes - maritime radio can be used inland - by licensed boats and shore stations, of course. The Inland Waterways Association has a web page about it.

Actually, it only states "Freight Waterways" and "Tidal Waterways" and as such it is intended to mean canals and the rivers from the sea to the wharfs in the inland city or town.

It doesn't really mean or mention land-locked lakes as found in the lake-district but always specifically mentions "freight waterways"?

The only lake which is mentioned is "Lake Lothing" which is Lowestoft and handles commercial water-borne traffic ?

I would be interested to find out about applying Colregs which only seem to refer to the "sea"??

 

[VicS]

Yes your thoughts about the major rivers and canals, or "freight waterways" vs landlocked lakes are in line with what I suspect may be the case but I am far from certain about it.
Even in ports and harbours there are restrictions on the use of the marine VHF bands.

As for the Colregs they apply by definition to "all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels."

I take it that that does not include Windermere hence the byelaws I referred to earlier which are in parts worded exactly the same as the colregs.

 

[NormanS]

Use of the marine VHF bands on Windermere would not be legal would it?

"Marine VHF Radio on the Loch

It would therefore be prudent to have a hand-held of fixed VHF Marine Radio for Emergency purposes on board. Just because the Loch is an Inland Waterway doesn't mean that you don't need a license for your radio, you MUST have a valid operators license and valid license for your vessel."

The above is a quote referring to Loch Lomond, but I can think of many other bodies of fresh water where it would be appropriate to use VHF. The Baltic and the Dutch canals come to mind. Can you show any information from anywhere which would preclude the use of VHF, just because the water happened to be fresh?

 

[WindermereColvic]

Just to add, According to the wardens, the Iron Steamers, Tern, Teal, Swan moniter ch16.