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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Cruising and Radio Protocol

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dhunt
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/16/2004 : 09:58:29

Hey guys and gals -

I'm off on my first charter. 5 days out of Pensacola in April. While I've read dozens of books about captains and crooks, and I've day sailed for 35 years on lakes and the Atlantic, I've NEVER used a VHF or hailed a harbormaster to request info about docking, mooring or anchoring. So I've got two questions:

1. what's the protocol for radio communication with the people I need to talk with?

2. with 5 days to putter around and explore - where do you Pensacola sailors recommend I go? The boat is a beachable 34 ft catamaran

Thanks for the help

David and Sharon Hunt on Solitaire, #800 sk-sr, Marietta GA

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2004 : 10:54:33

It will depend on the area you sail.
Protocol states you hail the entity you wish to contact three times ending with over it should go something like this:

Identify your vessel by name or call sign at the beginning and end of each transmission. For example, when hailing another vessel: "Calling the vessel, REEL FUN< REEL FUN, REEL FUN (boat name 3 times) this is the vessel Solitaire.."

Technically your supposed to give you radio license number/call sign, but thats pretty rare, considering the laws have changed pertaining to who needs on of those. In the case of dock assistance, it would be changed to This is Solitaire hailing the dockmaster, North Marina, North Marina, North Marina, this is the vessel Solitare.

You will either hail on a common channel for the area, or in most cases the cruising guides and charts will give you the channel of the marinas. They will then either direct you to switch to another channel or give you instruction then. After you recieve your instructions, they will tell you what channel they will stand by on if you need anything further via radio.

I mentioned at the beginning that it depends on the area in which you will be sailing. This is because some locations have changed the radio protocol for their particular area. In the Abaco's for example, the VHF is everyones Cell Phone, Local Weather (not just on the weather channel) news advertisements, even email (as in Joe, there's an email for you at the Jimmy's beverage on main street, go pick it up), because they use it so much, they try to cut down on traffic. Hailing there is strictly: "Iguana, Iguana, Flying wasp over."

In general, there is still a specific ettiquette and protocol that should be followed for most regions. Finding a book on it would definitely be a good idea, especially if you don't know any of it. Afterall, that is one of the only communication devices we have in the event of an emergency.

dw

Edited by - Champipple on 02/17/2004 13:21:46

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2004 : 12:06:05

One little note: I usually don't call the harbor master until I am close to the breakwater or entrance, when requesting a slip number. In that case, remember to turn your radio to the 5 watts function so you are not blasting your message out there for miles when you don't need it...It's a bit of a peeve of mine; one of many now that I am old enough to be called a curmudgeon....Another peeve is calling every 5 minutes for an hour when you receive no reply from another vessel!!!! Some guys just like to have their boat's name heard on the airwaves I guess.

Gary B.
Commodore of Vice

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timpky
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2004 : 20:31:21

If you need to hail a brigde tender for opening a draw bridge they monitor channel 9 in Florida.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2004 : 21:17:57

Hail the other vessel on VHF 16. Then agree to switch up to a working channel. Here in the US you may use 68,69,71, or 72. International waters, any channel goes. In a very crowded place (like Georgetown/Exumas) you'd say on 16 (for example)

"Classical Cat, Classical Cat, Classical Cat this is Indiscipline on 16"

Classical Cat would then come back and say

"Indiscipline, meet me on 68 and up"

The 'and up' means the first free channel above 68.

I'd then come back and say:

"Classical Cat, Indiscipline switching 68 and up"

In Florida, the bridges are on 9 and commercial tows monitor 13. If you have a scanner, set it to scan 16 and 9 and 13 if you have a triple scan. That is why you say your channel when you are hailing - the other boat has to switch off the scanner and respond to you on the correct channel (the one you're on).

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2004 : 08:40:53

In my area western Lake Erie, Channel 16 is no longer used by marinas as the hailing frequency. Most use Channel 9, but some use 68 or some other channel.

I suggest getting an up-to-date cruising guide for the area you are going to be in and if necessary contact marinas/harbormasters beforehand and verify their hailing frequency. Additionally, take along their phone numbers and use your cell phone as a backup.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2004 : 12:59:45

Yes, Catalina Island harbor patrol and harbor services answer hails on VHF 9 only. It is becomming more common. If you don't get an answer on 16, switch to 9.

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Captain B
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2004 : 13:46:18

I'd recommend cruising east to Fort Walton, Destin, and Valparaiso. You can cruise the Intercoastal waterway from P'cola Bay to Choctawhatchee Bay. Along the waystop at Juanna's for a burger and brew. It's on the south west side of the Navarre bridge. In Valparaiso/Niceville area you'll find Boggy and Rocky bayous. In Boggy there's Guiseppi's Warf and the Boat House Landing. Each offer free docking for diners. In Rocky Bayou is Blue Water Bay Yacht Club and a great little watering hole called Schooners. have fun!
Cheers,

Edited by - on

dhunt
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2004 : 16:02:40

"All you folks, all you folks, all you folks . . . this is Solitaire on 16"

Thanks y'all - and CaptainB - thanks for the watering hole tips. Can't wait to be there. What's the best cruising guide for the area and where would I get one?

Edited by - on

teamwike
1st Mate

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82 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2004 : 23:22:22

David give me a call if you want. I grew up in P-COLA and worked the Gulf on a Research Vessel for 5 years.
Hope I can help,
Max
410-963-9190
Note: believe there are two guys from Panama City on this site as well.

Edited by - on

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