Re: [Paddlewise] Nobody Home. . .

Geo. Bergeron wrote:
> 
> VHF radios.[snip] There's been paddle expeditions where I've been listening
> to radio traffic and find the band pretty busy. Astoria is one such area.
> 
>         On the other hand, [snip] There's also been times when
> I've squawked the radio right next to the Portland International Airport
> with airplanes and river traffic in abundant evidence. . . nothing.

Huh?  Air traffic shold not be monitoring the marine freqs.

> One day
> the Spirit of Portland was coming up the Willamette in downtown Portland
> (commercial tour boat) and I asked the captain if he needed space to turn
> about. That day I got a response.
> 
>         So, I'm skeptical that the radio I carry is going to bail me out
> when I need it. It's nice to have a weather report, and the option of
> calling for help rather than being without a radio altogether. But there's
> been too many days when no one is listening --despite the fact that bigger
> boats need to monitor the radio when underway.

George raises a sticky point.  Three thoughts:

1. I think areas where people USE the VHF to convey their intentions
(shipping channels, etc.) and/or there is an "ethic" of "help the other
guy" are places where people will listen, and respond.  Maritime
communities are good places for that.  It also helps to hail a boat by
name (use binocs to pick the name off the bow).  The average pleasure
boater in metropolitan areas does not have his/her radio on -- not the
ethic in metro areas. I would not expect to get a response on 16 in
Portland (or any other metro area) *unless I Maydayed.*  Then I think
I'd get the USCG up right away.  I know down here the USCG typically
does not respond to random squawks on 16 -- they're trying to keep 16
clean for emergency use and hailing.  (Ch 9 is also used for hailing
down here, I think.  In some parts of coastal BC, Ch 6 is informally
designated as the local hailing channel.  YMMV.)  "Radio checks" are not
supposed to occur on 16.

2. In the past year, I've taken to monitoring 16 and the local hailing
channel when I'm out touring.  (Monitoring 16 is not required for my
vessel.)  I don't like the noise, but if I expect someone to hear me
when I need help, I'd better listen for someone who needs help from me,
no?  It's a two-way street, and I can't expect to just use the radio to
summon help when I need it.  I have an ethical responsibility to be part
of the "safety net" for others.  In some "remote" areas of the coast of
Vancouver Island, the most numerous radio-carriers, might be sea
kayakers.  Doesn't do anybody any good if all the radios are off except
when one yakker turns his/hers on to call for help, does it?

3. For a synopsis of channel usage in the Pacific Northwest (including
BC), send an SASE to the North Pacific Marine Radio Council, 11410 NE
122nd Way, Suite 312, Kirkland, WA  98034 (FAX 206-820-0126), listed as
"Dedicated to Improvement of the Maritime Mobile Service." Their trifold
pamphlet details changes in hailing channels and the addition of channel
67 in the Puget Sound / Straits of Juan de Fuca area for
commercial/noncommercial traffic.  There is a really handy summary of
Marine Operator channels BY LOCATION for WA, OR, AK, and BC, as well as
a summary of the procedures for accessing marine ops in BC.  Finally,
the last part lists WX 1 through 4 BY LOCATION.  I laminated mine in
plastic and stuck it in my chart case.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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