Dear Coast Guard,

Jennie@ifish · 07-15-2006, 05:19 AM

With new people coming on the Salty Dog board every day, I need, and I'm sure others might need to know HOW to hail the Coast Guard and what is the most efficient, expedient way to call you when in distress, if the captain is not available.

Well, I guess also there are captains that might not know the exact way to do it!

Can you please tell us in simple words, starting with what channel and including how we address you? Please include what information is most important for you to know and in what order.

I'd really appreciate it!

Thank you,

Jen

USCG Yaquina Bay · 07-15-2006, 08:21 AM

Calling the Coast Guard 101 - First the Call up and Distress Frequency is CH-16 VHF (Marine Band) 156.8 mhz. Hold the mic about one inch from your mouth (watching out for the wind blowing across the mic), press the button and speak clearly and slowly. Depending upon the nature of your distress you may want to use the Pro Word (MAYDAY - if you are in immediate distress i.e. sinking, on fire, some is gravely injured...), You would say "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is the (name of your boat), we are on fire/sinking... and then state your position. (A GPS Lat/Lon is best but we will take just about anything including a geographic reference i.e. "3 miles west of Yaquina Light." Then you want to include a brief description of your vessel "we are a 28' white Grady White with three people aboard." The Coast Guard will answer and ask for the nature of your distress, position, amount of People On Board (POB), and direct you to put on your PFDs.
If you are not sinking, on fire or otherwise in immediate danger, you may simply call "Coast Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard, this is the (name of your boat), and stand-by for the Coast Guard to answer. They will shift you to another frequency (CH-22) and gather all the information there. If you are in distress we will probably keep you on Ch-16 so as not to risk losing you on the radio.
Some key points: 1) Get out your position. 2) Get on your PFDs. 3) Remain by the radio until you feel it is unsafe to do so. Lastly - Practice this with your crew.
Call any Coast Guard station and ask them or a member of the Auxiliary to for some hands on training. Visit your local station and ask them in person. Boat Smart from the Start. R

Flush Release · 07-15-2006, 09:54 AM

Thanks Rich

fish Addict80 · 07-15-2006, 10:02 AM

If you have to get off the boat quickly and can't stay next to radio (like in a fire or a cabin boat that is sinking) is it a good idea to tape or rubberband or somehow keep the transmit button depressed to allow a direction find of your location?

Or should you keep the channel free?

I suppose if you has a hand held and could use it you would want the channel free but what if you did not and couldn't get your position out?

Just wondering as I have read or heard about doing this.

Luke

Pete · 07-15-2006, 10:03 AM

Here's a useful link ... US Coast Guard Procedure for sending VHF 16 Distress Call

Near the bottom, there is an example of a complete distress call.

corrirod · 07-15-2006, 10:21 AM

I spoke with Ed Burns of the Coast Guard Auxiliary here in Portand today and he's ordering me 150 of the decals for emergency radio protocol. These are really nice stickers that you can put near the radio and if any of your passengers need to use the radio they can read right from the card.

Once I get them I'll try to get them out any way possible.

If we need more Ed said "no problem".

ron m · 07-15-2006, 11:11 AM

Rod, good job and thanks!
ron m

StickFish · 07-15-2006, 03:22 PM

Rich, in another thread the topic of eticut on the radio came up and I suggested that maybe we have a seminar at the next Salty Dog Convention on emergency uses of the radio and common courtesy. I don't know if there will be another convention or not merely assuming that there will - start it off with some radio transcripts from other rescues (that will get everyone to pay attention), next an overview of proper emergency call procedures and traffic handling (relay boat) and move into the mundane channel 78 eticut. Jennie - Rich is this something we might want to pursue?

Jennie@ifish · 07-15-2006, 05:08 PM

I think if people want to attend then for sure it's something we want to pursue!

Jen

USCG Yaquina Bay · 07-15-2006, 05:31 PM

I agree with Jen, if there is enough interest we may want to hold a forum on Emergency Proceedures i.e. radio comms, gps operations, pump operations, even perhaps putting on PFDs and gumby suits if needed. Although I will not be the CO of Station Yaquina Bay (I'll be at LinCom-911) please let me know what I can do. I'm sure the new CO (CWO Mark Allstott) will be helpful. R

skein · 07-15-2006, 08:03 PM

Great idea, and there's been a couple of posts concerning "radio talk" lately, discussing things like the "how-to's" and "etiquette" while using the VHF.

Here's a great little piece on the subject at a site I find myself going to as I learn or refresh myself on seamanship.

Radio Usage

It's not the end-all, but it's certainly more than a baby-step toward being a competent and responsible operator on the Big Blue.

Can you ever learn enough?

Skein

jocose · 07-15-2006, 09:16 PM

what is the proper procedure to test your radio once your boat is in the water? is there a radio check channel? i talked to the cg at tongue point from my back yard in vancouver but i dont think anyone was comfortable with that radio check... on the water which channels are usually monitored by other fishermen? thanks joco

skein · 07-15-2006, 09:27 PM

Jocose, try that link I posted and I think your questions will be answered. Since I most often have a wingman when I go out, especially very far, checking in with him will satisfy myself that the radio is working.

And speaking of wingmen, I've winged with guys that I never see all day - we just stay in touch by radio. We exchange coordinates periodically, along with the bite or condition info, but don't necessarily have to be within sight.

Skein

StickFish · 07-15-2006, 09:58 PM

Sight isn't a long way - radio contact is pretty nice - nothing and you sure feel like you shorts are on fire - especially when you realize you wing is a 1,000 foot freighter headed south - don't ask how I know this.

Seminar #1 Salty Dog Convention 2006/2007 Emergency Radio Procedures

Seminar #2 Radio etiquette -

Seminar #3 The UNTHINAKABLE

Seminar #4 cold water survial

Rich - line up your replacement and BM Flores (or whatever his new rank is) for background, coverage maps what they mean, how the trunking system works, emergency traffic handling procedures and how to practice. 5x7's from Corrirod, KJ and what he does besides set the sea speed record, demo of Marine SSB - give me a week and we can fill a day

Mark Mc · 07-15-2006, 10:27 PM

"Next presentation: How to get into your PFD, by Jimbo"
[image]

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CAPT KUJO · 07-16-2006, 04:06 AM

Quote:

I spoke with Ed Burns of the Coast Guard Auxiliary here in Portand today and he's ordering me 150 of the decals for emergency radio protocol. These are really nice stickers that you can put near the radio and if any of your passengers need to use the radio they can read right from the card.

Once I get them I'll try to get them out any way possible.

I have 50 or so ready for immediate distribution. PM me your address I will get them out.

USCG AUX Pacific City

If we need more Ed said "no problem".

CAPT KUJO · 07-16-2006, 04:07 AM

Quote:

I spoke with Ed Burns of the Coast Guard Auxiliary here in Portand today and he's ordering me 150 of the decals for emergency radio protocol. These are really nice stickers that you can put near the radio and if any of your passengers need to use the radio they can read right from the card.

Once I get them I'll try to get them out any way possible.

I have 50 or so ready for immediate distribution. PM me your address I will get them out.

USCG AUX Pacific City

skein · 07-16-2006, 06:53 AM

Hey Mark, nice pic!

But I won't have to demo how to get into your PFD because mine will ALREADY BE ON!

Everybody in my boat wears one ALL THE TIME.

And for all you guys that don't think it's necessary, make sure your cooler handles are in good shape. One of your buddies may have to spend a few hours hanging onto them.

Skein

USCGBoating · 07-16-2006, 08:06 AM

I will look into what is available as far as decals and pamphlets and publish a list. You can get most from your local Auxiliary Flotilla but I will make sure there are some available at the IFISH booth at the Sportsman Show. Also you can stop by the Auxiliary booth at any of the sportsman or boat shows and they will have them. Which ever way you choose we can make sure they are available to you.

Dan

Gloucester · 07-16-2006, 08:55 PM

Depoe Bay is in! I may not be here when the next one goes down either, but enough of my crew are familiar enough with this relationship to know that it's a good one! Let us know when and where and we'll be there. Be safe, boat smart, know before you go.

To add to Mr. G's post on procedures, if you know what Coast Guard AOR (area of responsibility) you are in, you can call...ie, Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay, or Coast Guard Yaquina Bay. The reason I say this is we at times hear boats all the way to the Columbia from our station. Not a "have to", if you call Coast Guard, one of the Stations is going to answer the call. When we hear our unit being called on the radio, gears are immediately shifted and the wheels start turning.

Like Mr. G said above. Here is what we will ask.
1. Position, Depth of water. If this is all that gets out over the radio, then we can either go directly to the position or follow the depth curve.
2. How many Persons on board and put on your life jackets. With this we now know how many people we may be looking for.
3. Description of your boat. With this we can find you amoungst 100 vessels on a good salmon day.
4. Nature of your distress. With this, we could bring extra gear, ie. extra pump for flooding.

Usually our final question on CH.16 will be are you in any immediate danger? If not, we'll switch you over to 22a. If you feel you are in immediate danger, we'll usually leave you on 16 so... 1. we don't lose comms while you are trying to swith to another channel and... 2. everyone on the big blue pond monitoring chn.16 will hear what's going on and may be in the area.

These should be asked in that particular order. As you can see, if we ask you the number 4 question first and then lose radio comms, we will not get very far. But if we get question number 1 answered, were in business!

Here is an example. "Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay, this is the "Going No Where", we are in posistion 44 48.02 N and 12415.20 W. we are in 325 feet of water, 4 people on board. We are a 25 ft boston Whaler with engine failure and need assitance."

You just answered all of the most important questions we need to prosecute a Search and rescue case. A lot of times this is exactly what we get from boaters. Be patient, at times you may be ask the same question again, our watchstander have a checklist they are filling out, and all the blanks need to be filled. Or they may be double checking for accuracy. But if you have little time, getting that quick call out with all the above information may be your ticket.

Here is another example of a MAYDAY call out, that could be your only call out.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY...we are in position 44 50.65, 124 20.25, 600ft of water, we have 5 people on board, we are a 26ft pleasure craft, blue with with trim and are taking on water, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.

Another note, if your in a situation like this weekend and you have an EPIRB or PEPIRB, don't forget to turn it on if your situation is bad.

CS