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Proper Coast Guard call etiquette

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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/14/2012 : 11:33:19

So we listened to an exchange from a good-intending power-boater that contacted the coast guard on Ch16 that a boat was smoking heavily.

The exchange progressed:
XXXL: attn CG, there is a boat smoking heavily at this bay on Muskegon lake.
CG: Do you have a GPS?
XXXL: yes, location is .....
CG: Would you provide additional information, number of souls on board, exact cause of smoke.
XXXL: someone is towing them into launch, already assisting.

....etc. as the exchange continued, the smoking boat had pulled out of the launch and left. In the meantime, the CG asked for additional information from the well-intended. Which led to the CG asking for the name of the captain of XXXL, their cell number etc. It seemed as though XXXL panicked too early and cost themselves undo pain, and the CG some extra paperwork. From our boats perspective it seemed the CG was making XXXL feel the pain for all of the paperwork, perhaps it is part of the report.

Anyway, that caused me to reflect on what/when you should actually contact the coast guard. We fortunately have a CG station on the channel of Muskegon lake, so see them plenty, but do not hear radio exchanges often.

s/v No Worries, O'Day 28
PO Moe'Uhane - C25 SR/FK #1746

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2012 : 13:42:38

When in doubt, put it out! On the radio that is... Well intended did what I would've done in that situation.

Sten

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5429 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2012 : 19:55:55

I agree with Sten. More info the better, even if it costs you your time. We never know what the outcome of any report will be - if it saves a life, warns another boater of a hazard or keeps someone's boat from harm, it was worth it.
Sure they'll keep you on the radio or call you on your cell phone for a while. It's our responsibility to look out for our fellow boaters. We'd expect them to reciprocate if we were in trouble.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2012 : 07:18:58

All I can think is that the CG was intent on verifying that the situation had been completely resolved. Since their information was second-hand (from XXXL), that was probably more difficult to do. I've never heard the USCG complain about being made aware of a situation that might require a response--particularly a possible fire. We had a large plume of smoke on Fishers Island Sound one day--several people announced it on 16... It turned out to be an intentionally-set trash fire on a small island. From a distance, it looked like it could have been a disaster!

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.