Re: [Paddlewise] VHF Channel for San Juan Islands

From: Dan Hagen <dan_at_hagen.net>
Date: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 23:46:49 -0700
Gerald Foodman wrote:
> 
> I will cross from Anacortes to James Island.  Do you think it is appropriate
> to actually call Seattle Traffic and tell them?  Someone else in this thread
> said they were unfriendly.  Vancouver Traffic in the Gulf Islands has been
> very friendly and helpful to me while crossing there.

I don't think that they will be "friendly", but why does it matter if
they are friendly or unfriendly?  While they don't encourage folks to
call before crossing the lanes, they will respond if you feel the need
to call.  The key is to keep your call SHORT and TO-THE-POINT.  An
appropriate script would be the following:

Gerry: "Traffic, this is Sea Louse [or whatever your boat name is],
over."
(Note: Traffic does not want you to give your call sign--it wastes
time--just give your boat name.)

Traffic responds: "Sea Louse, Traffic, over."

Gerry: "Traffic, Sea Louse. I am a 17' sea kayak departing Shannon Point
crossing the lanes in Rosario Straight. What do you have in my immediate
area?"

Traffic: "We have nothing in your area [or maybe they respond, "The
aircraft carrier Lexington is off Blakely Island heading south at a
speed of 35 knots", in which case you had better wait...]

That's it. Short and to the point. They are busy--don't waste their
time. But don't be afraid to use the service, either.    

Dan Hagen
Bellingham, Washington
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Received on Tue Jun 02 1998 - 23:59:44 PDT

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