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Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/08/2009 : 10:03:50

Since we have mostly been daysailers and never really used a radio, I've been reviewing frequencies and usage. I noticed in the list several places the letters "VTS" such as: 'Commercial. VTS in selected areas.'
What does VTS stand for?
Also is channel 13 the standard for bridges everywhere or does it vary? do they also monitor 16?
Also is it normal when calling a marina or something non-emergency to repeat the name three times, then give your boat name and registration number? This is what I read is the proper method. just wondering if that's how people do it in the real world or is it less formal?

1981 #2555 "Aero"
sk/sr
Coosaw Island, SC

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 10:39:24

Vessel Traffic Services--commercial use only. (You can listen in.) Most bridges are on Ch. 13, some are on 9, a few are on 16, and many monitor more than one. Generally there are signs on the bridges (for when you get close enough to read them). I recommend cruising guides for the areas you're interested in--they'll give you channels for bridges, marinas, harbormasters, etc. Around most harbors in this part of the country, 13 is used for commercial vessels to coordinate their movements--you can jump in if you think it's helpful.

I generally hail the bridge or other boat's name twice, followed by "this is Sarge"--no registration number. I've heard a bridge operator ask for the number--nobody has asked for mine. Keep it on the "formal" side on 9 or 16--it can be less formal when you switch to a "working channel" like 69 or 71.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/08/2009 10:50:06

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 10:50:08

East coast is different from west, both are different from Canada.

Around here, Police and CG scan a variety of channels, sometimes piping in, sometimes not.

When we hail, its "Sarge, Sarge, Sarge, this is Iris on one six, do you read me?"

I try to make a point of saying what channel I'm hailing on in case Sarge has his tri-watch running on the radio and doesn't know where I am calling. Up here we never use registration numbers.

Marinas tend to be on 68, but will also watch 16. Races tend to hang out on 11 or 09. Lockstations along the Trent will ask you what your next lock is, and then phone each other and just watch for you. Little radio communication at all along there.

Edited by - Prospector on 07/08/2009 10:50:55

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 10:55:54

Good point about the channel number... I do that for another boat--not the bridges. Also, it's good to precede all replies on 9, 13, or 16 like "Iris, Sarge." to make clear who's replying to whom.

BTW Iris, down here you should try me on 9 first--the USCG wants 16 to be for emergencies and "Security" calls only.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/08/2009 11:03:10

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 11:49:08

Another regional difference.

We really like that you guys are doing that down there. now our radios have this nice button that makes it easy to switch to 09 and chat.

'Round here 16 is a "hailing and emergency channel" and the CG will remind you of that very politely the first time you forget...

So if you ever sail my lake (unlikely) the convo would go:

"Sarge, Sarge Sarge, this is Iris on one-six, do you read me? Over."
"Iris, this is Sarge, go zero-nine, over"
"Sarge this is Iris, going zero-nine"

Switch channel

"Sarge this is Iris on Zero-nine, do you read me, over"
"Iris this is Sarge, go ahead, over"
"Yeah, Sarge, did I ever tell you that's the cutest stinkpot I've seen on this lake in ages? etc."

EDIT TO ADD:
Radios are worth every penny, and monitoring should be a compulsion. This past weekend our little lake had 2 maydays on Saturday and one on Sunday. All of them turned out OK because folks had their radios turned on.

Edited by - Prospector on 07/08/2009 12:05:02

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 12:33:34

And iffin you have your marine radiddio on you can be reached by marine operator over the telephone. It is a very neat trick...

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 12:41:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Radios are worth every penny, and monitoring should be a compulsion. This past weekend our little lake had 2 maydays on Saturday and one on Sunday. All of them turned out OK because folks had their radios turned on.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

When I go down to our boat to work on it, I'll turn on the VHF just to listen. I have it set to listen to 9, 13, 14, 16 & 22a. That lets me listen to most of the interesting traffic that's going on in and around the Seattle area. I'm glad I spent the time & money to install a nice VHF in SL, it makes me feel better knowing it's there, easy to use, and actually works (we weren't always so sure about our old one, I think the coax was bad, but it's been replaced).

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 13:38:55

In the gulf coast it might run something like..

( hailing on 16 or 9 I see the name of a vessel in the binocks )

How bout ya "Mr.Tamborine, MrTamborine" are you out there...

( waiting for MrTamborine to wake up )

MrTamborine, hailing MrTamborine come on..

( then you wait a while for him to turn down the stereo.. )

This is Tamborine come on..

Tamborine this is Leaky, hold for another channel..

Tamborine standing by.

( then I go to channel 69 or 72 or one of many I keep listed.. and listen and -- make sure no one is using that channel -- )

Tamborine, this is leaky, how bout 69 over.

alright 69 over.

( we both switch to 69 )

Tamborine, this is leaky, Hello...

Yepper Leaky.. whats up...

You got any gas.. over.

Naw.. ain't got no gas... . . . we just use corn oil.. over.

You catching anything over.

Naw... I don't know where they sleep over...

Yep, yep, yep... We're just doin that DrSuess Fishin over.

DrSuess? over..

Yep... one fish two fish, red fish blue fish over.

( this can go on for hours )

This is usually in the bay or just offshore so we often hail with low power if we see the vessel, cause the high power can go 30 miles either way and it will just be busting someones scanner. Same thing with the bridges, I think the raydiddeos will only shoot low power on 13. I love listening to the commercial fishermen at night... they are a hoot..

Endings often include your favorite standby station should they want to call you up later. "OK tamborine, roger dodger over and out.. This is Leaky monitoring 16 9 and 69 out of PCB I'm a gone..."

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 18:11:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 "Sarge, Sarge Sarge, this is Iris on one-six, do you read me? Over."
"Iris, this is Sarge, go zero-nine, over"
"Sarge this is Iris, going zero-nine"<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Another regional difference, I see... Down here (I shouldn't speak for Georgia), 09 is for non-emergency hailing, not chatting--you switch to a non-commercial working channel (69,71,72) to chat. Commercial guys often go to 10 ("Up one?" "Roger, up one.")

Low power is another good point... I leave 16 set for high for emergencies. 09 and 13 are set for low. I've talked to a boat 8 miles away on low.

Another tip: To hail, key the mic for a second before speaking, so the receiver's scan (or tri-watch) will lock on the channel.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/08/2009 18:15:39

Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 19:21:30

Thanks for info. I will definitely start monitoring. I wasn't aware I had high and low power, but haven't really looked at it yet. Do they all? The radio came with the boat and all I've done is see that it seemed to work. I'd like to find a cruise guide for my area, any suggestions on a good one? How does the marine telephone service work? Had no idea there was such a thing. Where do you find them? sounds like a good thing to know how to do. How far out can you be reached? Where we normally are on the water , cell phone service is pretty good, but haven't tested the range.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2009 : 19:51:31

I have the [url="http://www.maptech.com/water/embassyguides/index.cfm?infopg=buy"]Maptech Embassy Guide[/url] for Long Island Sound--it's very good. There are others, like "Cruising the Chesapeake", that are more folksy...

Around here, cell phone service might reach out about as far as VHF marine operator service--coverage might even be better. So I've never tried calling or getting a call via VHF. If you have a situation where the Coasties are involved, they'll call somebody like a towing service or a spouse for you.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2009 : 06:58:35

When the boat went down in our last race, the coasties response to a request for a marine telephone call was that a cell phone was more secure.

Of course the victims were all safely ashore at a cottage where the residents took them in, so really there was no need to tie up the airwaves... I think the coasties do use a little judgement on things like that.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2009 : 10:50:22

There is obviously a disparity in radio communications technique and jargin according to region. If everyone took a Coast Guard Aux seamanship or Power Squardon course, confusion would be minimized. They both teach proper radio-telephone procedure, edicate, and use of the phonetic alphabet.

Edited by - on

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