Coast guard or 911

[shrimpman steve]

When out on the water, should an emergency arise (within cell range) is it better to call the CG or call 911? Or call 16 on the VHF?

Also what channel do fishermen monitor and use out there?

[SaltyAngler]

Uhhhhh. Without a shadow of a doubt, I'd say Coast Guard emergency channel 16.

Channel 16. Mayday. Vessel in distress.

911 would probably hang up.

The only time the cell comes in handy, from as far as I've heard (on the water) is when the CG has trouble understanding you due static/radio traffic/interference.

[MrAC1980]

Yup Coast Guard channel 16, cell only a backup if boat loses power. and try to have gps coordinates ready.

[Flukemeister1]

Unless you are on fire or ready to sink it is faster/better to call to the local Coast Guard station rather than call Mayday. When you just call out Mayday it can take time to sort out which is the covering Coast Guard station and since there are often times overlapping areas of radio coverage you can have several responses to your Mayday and this can slow down the response time. When you call in an emergency the most important thing to get off first is the location of your boat. When you make the call repeat the Coast Guard's station's name three times, Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook and the vessels name three times, this gives them a chance to dial in the radio direction finder on your location. If your radio quits at this point they at least have a radio reference by which to start their search. Once you have given them the location of the boat then give them the number of people on board and then the nature of your problem. If you are running a private boat with guests it is always a great idea at the begining of the voyage to explain how to read the GPS and call for help if you are incompacitated.

[Reel Class]

Channel 16 hail USCG

Ambulances fire trucks n local pds can't walk on water!!

[Papasown]

Hey Shrimpman, With a true emergency on the water, call out to the CG on Channel 16. If the emergency is threat of sinking, or uncontrollable fire use the term MAYDAY-MAYDAY. Be prepared to tell them of your GPS coordinates, and Boat Registration # ( I keep mine written on a piece of tape near the radio, so I won't forget when things go sideways.) Be ready to go to cell phone if batteries go under water and you lose power. ( I keep CG phone # on that same location). If the call is less serious, say PAN-PAN-PAN, and be prepared to say clearly and slowly the above information. If people are in the water, advise the CG, and if boat is nearby, call out, whistle(I keep police whistle at helm station), and have passengers wave to get that boat's attention. That boat will be your first line of rescue for persons in the water, and safety for you and your passengers. Be prepared, be safe............Papa

[shrimpman steve]

Great advice

Thanks for the responses guys

[Joey Dah Fish]

Always CG channel 16 and second call 911

[tropics]

Probably a good idea to keep as stated a Police Whistle, Air Horn, and Flare Gun if you are running outside.
Lots of good info on this post stay save.

[Capt. Debbie]

When you vcall a Mayday everyone is responding in YOUR direction with Direction finders. FORGET THE CELL PHONE. Cell is back up.

Also any boat in your area can respond. Unless you know everyone's phone number... youre digging yourself into a deeper hole. And SOL!

The Cell is LAST RESORT.



Unless you are on fire or ready to sink it is faster/better to call to the local Coast Guard station rather than call Mayday. When you just call out Mayday it can take time to sort out which is the covering Coast Guard station and since there are often times overlapping areas of radio coverage you can have several responses to your Mayday and this can slow down the response time. When you call in an emergency the most important thing to get off first is the location of your boat. When you make the call repeat the Coast Guard's station's name three times, Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook and the vessels name three times, this gives them a chance to dial in the radio direction finder on your location. If your radio quits at this point they at least have a radio reference by which to start their search. Once you have given them the location of the boat then give them the number of people on board and then the nature of your problem. If you are running a private boat with guests it is always a great idea at the begining of the voyage to explain how to read the GPS and call for help if you are incompacitated.

[badfish88]

When you call 911 for a water emergency, the dispatcher Fwds you to us anyway. Quicker to hail us on 16. Or. Cell phone call the station @ 732-899-0130

[dfish28]

When you call 911 for a water emergency, the dispatcher Fwds you to us anyway. Quicker to hail us on 16. Or. Cell phone call the station @ 732-899-0130


Good info- I think that's the manasquan station right, do you have the other numbers handy, it would be a good thing to store all on our cells?

[Madgriffer]

Barnegat Light station is 609-494-2661.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Some more on the subject from our Fishing Saftey and Etiquitte article above under the Article drop down menu.

VHF radios are a must even if you plan to stay inshore. Don't leave the dock with out one. Besides being able to radio for help the coast guard and most towing companies are equipped with radio direction finders. They can use your radio signals to help locate you. Cell phones are a great back up but coverage can be spotty inshore and nonexistent off shore.VHF radios are also handy to be advised of any changing weather conditions.

Channel 16 is used for emergencies. Keep this channel clear of all idle chit-chat. Once you establish communications with assistance on 16 switch off to another channel. If you can't raise the Coast Guard on channel 16 you are likely out of radio range. Your best bet now is to switch to a channel that most boats in the area monitor. High 60s and low 70s are good bets here in NJ. Once you make contact with another boat see if they can contact the Coast Guard for you since they might be inshore of you and be with in radio range and act as your relay. They might also have a single side band radio which is much more powerful then VHF and should be able to contact the Coast Guard no problem.

There are 2 types of distress calls you should be familiar with Pan-Pan and Mayday. Pan is used to report a possible problem and Mayday is to be used if your boat is in immediate need of assistance due to sinking or fire. If reporting a mayday turn your radio to channel 16. Here is an example of how you'd do it:
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
This is the fishing vessel Off The Hook, fishing vessel Off The Hook, fishing vessel Off the Hook.
Fishing Vessel Off The Hook approximately 3 miles SE of the Ambrose Tower.
Struck submerged object and taking on water and do not believe we can stay afloat for more then 1 hour. We are a 25 foot white hull with a hard top and 4 persons aboard.
Maintaining watch on channel 16
This is the fishing vessel Off the Hook over.
Repeat until someone responds

[Gerry Zagorski]

When you vcall a Mayday everyone is responding in YOUR direction with Direction finders. FORGET THE CELL PHONE. Cell is back up.

Also any boat in your area can respond. Unless you know everyone's phone number... youre digging yourself into a deeper hole. And SOL!

The Cell is LAST RESORT.

Exactly.... If you are in serious trouble VHF is your best chance of getting immediate help.

[NoLimit]

If you need assistance right away dip your net in the water and start screaming "Keep the tip up - Loosen the drag"

Repeat that three times and you will have five boats around before you can say it a fourth time.

[shrimpman steve]

That's funny!

[Gilligan]

What about boats that don't have names. How do you address yourself in that situation ?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Just say leave of the boat name.

[badfish88]

Good info- I think that's the manasquan station right, do you have the other numbers handy, it would be a good thing to store all on our cells?
Yes. That's manasquans direct number

[badfish88]

What about boats that don't have names. How do you address yourself in that situation ?
"Vessel in distress". Or quick description " 20'grady". "Cuddy cabin". ......ect

[shrimpman steve]

Was out the other day and tried a radio check a couple of times with no response. It is a new handheld VHF. Even tried 16 with no response. Makes me a little nervous getting no response. This is why I want a hard wired unit and a longer antenna.

What channel is best for a radio check

[Capt. Debbie]

Typically its some like:

"25 foot boston whaler off Sandy Hook buoy 17 taking on water... "


What about boats that don't have names. How do you address yourself in that situation ?

[Capt. Debbie]

Sea Tow has an automated radio check. It plays your message back.

Where you calling from? Trasmit signal may not be making it.

See where you are boating and call that Sea Tow ( member or not). Call Sea Tow on Ch 16




Was out the other day and tried a radio check a couple of times with no response. It is a new handheld VHF. Even tried 16 with no response. Makes me a little nervous getting no response. This is why I want a hard wired unit and a longer antenna.

What channel is best for a radio check

[badfish88]

Ch 09. For radio checks. Please do not do them on 16

[Reel Class]

West Marine has an AUTOMATED radio check frequency I believe its channel 25 - call it and they will send you back your transmission to check for any irregularities

[Capt. Debbie]

Cool.

Sea Tow and Boat Us use the old VHF phone channels. But the channels change in different AOR's for each.

See which channel for eaither or both, work in your area.





West Marine has an AUTOMATED radio check frequency I believe its channel 25 - call it and they will send you back your transmission to check for any irregularities

[Jimmy in Point Beach]

Was out the other day and tried a radio check a couple of times with no response. It is a new handheld VHF. Even tried 16 with no response. Makes me a little nervous getting no response. This is why I want a hard wired unit and a longer antenna.

What channel is best for a radio check

Check your antenna connections Steve. I had that same problem and had to redo one of the connects. I was fine after that.

[Capt. Debbie]

The better antenna will do very little to make a 5 watt signal go farther.

The height is key. I have transmitted while ON the center of the Driscol Bridge 150 feet about sea level and still got no response calling Station Sandy Hook.

The uber antenna drastically juices up you reception. Not sure where you are trying from, but I will tell you the west end of Raritan Bay has so much junk ( buildings and hills) in the way even 25 watt 16 foot antennas do not make it to Station Sandy Hook(USCG).

Same antenna w/ 25 watts will not reach Sandy Hook Bay marina (SH Buoy 5) from Oceanic Bridge because of the hill in the way. That's about 2 miles or less as the crow flies.

Geography plays a part. And in some instances a dominant part



Check your antenna connections Steve. I had that same problem and had to redo one of the connects. I was fine after that.

[Jimmy in Point Beach]

The better antenna will do very little to make a 5 watt signal go farther.

The height is key. I have transmitted while ON the center of the Driscol Bridge 150 feet about sea level and still got no response calling Station Sandy Hook.

The uber antenna drastically juices up you reception. Not sure where you are trying from, but I will tell you the west end of Raritan Bay has so much junk ( buildings and hills) in the way even 25 watt 16 foot antennas do not make it to Station Sandy Hook(USCG).

Same antenna w/ 25 watts will not reach Sandy Hook Bay marina (SH Buoy 5) from Oceanic Bridge because of the hill in the way. That's about 2 miles or less as the crow flies.

Geography plays a part. And in some instances a dominant part

The boats next to me couldn't hear me with the bad antenna connection even though I could hear them. No problems afterwards but a weak signal is a weak signal.

[mimivimate]

Cell is good if and when they ask you if you have one steve. Def radio cause anyone they need to coordinate with has radio and maybe there offshore and out of range. If i was sinking and desperate I'd do both at the same time.