The CG said so, so there!

[Finless]

Following Andy's post I thought I would do my bit and resolve any lingering doubt that anyone may have on the question of advising the Coastguard of boating/diving plans. I did post a reply at the end of the original thread BUT I did think it possible that people would be bored with such a long thread. Because it is an important point I have re posted it here to catch anyone who had had enough of the original thread.

I phoned the Dover CG this afternoon (Tuesday 13th July) and asked the question "would you prefer if private dive club RIBS/boats contacted the CG to advise when they are leaving, where they are going, when they are due back + confirm they are back?" The reply was succinct and to the point "yes - definitely".

I would therefore be happy to assume that the same would apply at other CG stations around the Country. Dover is my main contact point so that is the only reply I am really interested in.

More power to Andy's elbow - censored or not.

I must now admit my own failings in that that when on my friends boat, thus far, we have only called the CG for a radio check.

[Andy Nye]

Nice one FIN.....

Very helpful ain't they .

Andy.

ps, You should have asked. " Where is the 'TAURUS' ? ".

They would have told you my exact position ;-) ( IN HARBOUR )

[David Walker]

I would therefore be happy to assume that the same would apply at other CG stations around the Country. Dover is my main contact point so that is the only reply I am really interested in.

Its something thats usually mentioned in VHF courses - especially if you do a course as a dive club, you should probably know that anyway... and as only people who did that should be using the radio's anyway, then just about everyone with a radio should know.
The only time not to call in is if they're in the middle of something more important, in which case you will get a very French 'shut up'! :O)

David

[John Williams]

More power to Andy's elbow - censored or not.

No-one said that Andy had not made a good point!

What we are trying to do is do exactly what you suggest....give more power to his comments.

Take away all the meaningless and distracting ranting ...and make a clear and concise point It works much better - and gets the right result (which is not a debate about forum ettiquette!)

The Coastguard has ALWAYS said "Call us - we'd rather know where you were having fun than not know where you were when you need help!"

They'd also like you to register your RIB with them so that they have a description of it on file to facilitate recognition. Have you done that yet?

The Coastguard is always keen to know what other resources are available to support a rescue. A well found rib capable of high speed is always an asset on the sea ...but only if you know where it is and whether it is currently engaged in diving activity (and therefore unavailable).

I've been asked to break of boathandling exercises and attend a casualty and escort them ashore by my Coastguard. I'd not have been asked if he had not known I was there!


John

[angus]

and as only people who did that should be using the radio's anyway, then just about everyone with a radio should know.

Not technically correct - but hey.

Angus

[Andy Nye]

Hi All,

Having requested some RADIO PROCEDURE stickers from the MCA to give to a few boat owners that wanted one like mine, this CG sent me this e:mail also to help others.

E:Mail used my boats name as an example.


Hi Andy,
Thank you for your remarks. The more information that a vessel can provide on departure the less valuable time we need to expend obtaining the information we need if an incident occurs.
It may help all concerned if the following information was offered before diving takes place:
1. Name, Type and Call-sign of the vessel.
2. Point of departure and intended diving site.
3. How many persons on board.
4. If there is a qualified diving first aid person. This would alleviate some questioning during a diving related illness.
5. Duration of the dive.
6. If they are from a club, which club?
7. Ask the Coastguards for the latest weather information for the area you intend to dive. It could be that there has been a warning issued since you last looked at your weather source.
8. Once the dive is complete inform the Coastguard that all divers are out of the water.
If an incident does occur it is helpful to know your position in Lat and Long and if there are any vessels in your vicinity that could assist with the situation. Each incident is different and may require a different response. If the situation is with the vessel then we would need details like the length, draught and the direction and rate of drift. If you have registered the vessel with the CG66 boat safety scheme inform the Coastguard that you are registered, they will be able to get most vessel details from that record. If the vessel is not registered then you may wish to do so by visiting the MCA site from the Dover Coastguard site link. Near to the top of the home page on the right, the one with the Red Ensign on. Or arrange a visit to the station to have a look round and fill in a CG66 form while you are there.
If the incident concerns a diver then there should be a good deal more questions to answer: the age, gender, level of fitness, remaining oxygen (If they are still in the water) how long they have been down, experience, colour and type of suite and equipment. How many dives have they had in that day, the last time and the relative position that they were seen. If it is an illness then you should be asked for symptoms and details of the diver. You should then be linked to a doctor for medical advise. It would depend on the nature of the illness as to the method we would use to evacuate a diver should it be necessary.
If you are not asked the questions it may be beneficial to offer the information.
Radio Procedures:
Example: Vessel with engine failure drifting away from the dive site.
VHFDSC - Compile a Pan Pan Message to all Ships.
Coastguards should respond, once they have determined the position of the originating vessel.
Then switch to VHF Ch16 and send the message below. (if you do not have DSC then go straight to Ch16)
Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan
All Stations All Stations All Stations
This is the Dive Vessel Taurus Taurus Taurus Call-sign....... and MMSI..........(MMSI Number comes with VHF DSC if you have it fitted)
Begins
Pan Pan
Taurus
Position
Mechanical Failure with ....... Persons on board and ....... Divers in the water.
Drifting (North/South/East/West) at ..... Knots.
Require Divers be rescued and a Tow for the vessel.
Intentions (if any)
Ends
This is the Dive Vessel Taurus Over

Coastguards should receipt your Pan Pan, transmit a relay and start the correct procedures.

If you have a missing diver you could use the same signal format as above or:
VHFDSC - Compile a Mayday message Then Switch to Ch16 and transmit the following message.
Mayday Mayday Mayday
This is the Dive Vessel Taurus Taurus Taurus Call-sign ...... and MMSI..........
Begins
Mayday Taurus
Position
Nature of the incident
Intentions
Assistance required
Ends
This is the Dive vessel Taurus Over

Coastguards should then receipt your Mayday, transmit a relay message and start the correct procedures.

On any transmission you should speak clearly and slow enough for an operator to type the details into the system. If you could not write the information down at the speed you are speaking then it is too fast.

While a vessel is still able, they retain control of communications and you should be asked before the Coastguard downgrade the incident from: Example Mayday to Pan Pan or Pan Pan to Securitee or to an ordinary incident.
If you are unsure of your radio operation or procedures you could request that the Coastguard make a broadcast on your behalf. They should not broadcast without your permission unless it is a relay.

If you would like to study radio operation and procedures further there are many good books available, and this is a subject that can be addictive, the more you learn the more you want to know. It may also be an idea to Copy and Paste the relevant parts of this email and stick them in a plastic folder to take on board with you.
Regards Rob G

[Keith Lawrence(BSAC)]

Thanks for that Andy. That type of simple, concise information should be published and made readily available.

Appreciated

Keith L

[Finless]

Its something thats usually mentioned in VHF courses - especially if you do a course as a dive club, you should probably know that anyway... and as only people who did that should be using the radio's anyway, then just about everyone with a radio should know.
The only time not to call in is if they're in the middle of something more important, in which case you will get a very French 'shut up'! :O)

David

David,

I have not done a boat handling course or the radio course. My boat handling skills are sufficient to take over while on the water, getting on and off the beach and picking up divers (we never go near a harbour).

With regards to the radio, I would accept that it would be a good thing to have the knowledge, but, in an emergency we all know enough to get through to the coastguard and all that use the boat (max 4 per trip) know enough to do the radio check to make sure it works.

Bryan

[Finless]

John,

No-one said that Andy had not made a good point!

What we are trying to do is do exactly what you suggest....give more power to his comments.

I did not mean to imply ALL only a few (one?).


Take away all the meaningless and distracting ranting ...and make a clear and concise point It works much better - and gets the right result (which is not a debate about forum ettiquette!)

Your point is noted. I just meant that I didn't find Andy's post offensive in the slightest, however, I am happy to abide by the forum rules.


The Coastguard has ALWAYS said "Call us - we'd rather know where you were having fun than not know where you were when you need help!"

They'd also like you to register your RIB with them so that they have a description of it on file to facilitate recognition. Have you done that yet?

The Coastguard is always keen to know what other resources are available to support a rescue. A well found rib capable of high speed is always an asset on the sea ...but only if you know where it is and whether it is currently engaged in diving activity (and therefore unavailable).

I've been asked to break of boathandling exercises and attend a casualty and escort them ashore by my Coastguard. I'd not have been asked if he had not known I was there!

Good point.

Bryan

[Andy Wade]

Thanks for that Andy. That type of simple, concise information should be published and made readily available.

Appreciated

Keith L

I thought so too.

(see link)