[Rhodes22-list] Mayday

[Bill Effros]

Thanks, Rummy,

That's what I used to think, too.

But the Coast Guard keeps sending out regulations, and its hard to know 
what's current, so I just Googled it.

The first hit is a Coast Guard site.  It says that the FCC gave the 
Coast Guard Channel 9 for emergency purposes, but that the Coast Guard 
is unable to use it, because while it can listen, it can't send out 
information generally over channel 9:

"Since the Coast Guard generally does not have the capability of 
announcing an urgent marine information broadcast or weather warning on 
channel 9, use of channel 9 is optional.   We recommend boaters normally 
keep tuned to and use channel 16 in those waters unless otherwise 
notified by the Coast Guard."

The second hit said:

"Even though you may not be required to carry a VHF radio, if you do 
(and you should) you must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) 
whenever the radio is operating and not being used to communicate. You 
may alternatively maintain a watch on VHF channel 9 (156.450 MHz), the 
boater calling channel. Note however that urgent marine information 
broadcasts, such as storm warnings, are announced on channel 9 only in 
First CG District waters (northern New Jersey, New York and New England).

Recently a charter boat whose radio was not tuned to the proper channel 
missed a severe storm warning. By the time the captain learned of the 
storm, it was too late to return to shore. The ship sank and a couple of 
persons died. A yacht in trouble off the west coast of Mexico and far 
from help saw a passenger ship. What should have been a quick rescue 
almost turned to disaster when the passenger ship (improperly) had its 
radio off. "

and

"Let me start by talking about the major channels that recreational 
boaters should be familiar with. The Federal Communications Commission 
has established VHF-FM channel 9 as a supplementary calling channel for 
noncommercial vessels (recreational boaters). A ship or shore unit 
wishing to call a boater would do so on channel 9, and anyone (boaters 
included) wishing to call a commercial ship or shore activity would 
continue to do so on channel 16. Recreational boaters may continue to 
call the Coast Guard and any commercial facility on channel 16.

"The purpose of the FCC regulation is to relieve congestion on VHF 
channel 16, the distress, safety and calling frequency. FCC regulations 
require boaters having VHF radios to maintain a watch on either VHF 
channel 9 or channel 16, whenever the radio is turned on and not 
communicating with another station.

*"Warning: *The Coast Guard announces urgent marine information 
broadcasts and storm warnings on channel 9 in the First Coast Guard 
District only (waters off the coast of northern New Jersey, New York, 
and New England). For that reason, we strongly urge boaters to use 
channel 9 in these waters. Use of channel 9 in other waters is optional, 
and we recommend boaters keep tuned to and use channel 16 in those 
waters unless otherwise notified by the Coast Guard.

"Channels 9 and 16 are used for "hailing" (calling another vessel) only. 
Once you have contacted a vessel you should move your conversation to a 
"working channel". That is, one designated as "non-commercial" such as 
channel 68."

and

*"Updates:*
Within the past few years channel 9 was also designated to be used as a 
hailing frequency in addition to channel 16 (which is both hailing and 
distress). However, in the First Coast Guard District only (waters off 
the coast of northern New Jersey, New York, and New England), the Coast 
Guard announces urgent marine information broadcasts and storm warnings 
on channel 9.

As of July 1, 2000, the Ninth Coast Guard District (Great Lakes Region) 
has mandated that US recreational boaters use channel 9 only as a 
hailing frequency and they are not to hail on channel 16. This is due to 
the increase in radio traffic on channel 16. Emergencies, however, are 
still reported on channel 16."

However, the fifth hit says:

*"First Coast Guard District Special Note
*Effective on May 25, 2001 shore units located within the First Coast 
Guard District will no longer make preliminary announcements on channel 
9 (156.450 MHZ) VHF-FM. Mariners should use channel 16 (156.8 MHZ) to 
establish VHF-FM communications with Coast Guard District shore units. 
Mariners are encouraged to utilize channel 9 for non-emergency traffic 
and to request radio checks with other mariners. Channel 16 is reserved 
for hailing and distress communications only.  LNM 16/01 (CGD1)"

Need I say more?

BTW a 1992 Coast Guard regulation said that if larger boats had DSC 
radios they were no longer obligated to listen to channel 16.

Cell phones used to be the constant, but no more.  Only in Alaska 
according to Jim's post.

I can't sort through all this stuff sitting at home on my cable modem 
attached computer.  What's going to happen in a real emergency on my 
boat?  I think 911 on a cell phone remains my first choice for this 
region, and Channel 16 on my marine radio is my second choice.  I'll 
listen to Channel 16 for a while next summer.

If people think they can rely on marine radios for emergency purposes, I 
think they should check them out in non-emergencies and establish 
procedures.

Rummy, do you think Channel 9 is better for your region?

Bill Effros

R22RumRunner at aol.com wrote:
> Bill,
> Channel 16 is a hailing channel, not to be used for chit chat. Channel 9 is  
> monitored by the CG and is the official emergency channel.
>  
> Rummy
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