Always
Never
Sometimes
Whats logging on??
Just wanted to know how many people log on with their local Marine Rescue group.
Tell us why you do or why you dont.
Cheers Lee
Always do when doing extended trips/over nighters. Usually for a day trip I won't bother as it is usually just a muck around in Hervey Bay and there is no issues with radio coverage if something goes wrong.
If it is offshore and conditions are average or crossing Wide Bay Bar I will log on if the VMR is open, usually out and fishing before then though!!
Anthony
Actually I get a bit annoyed over this..
I try to logon, howver, brisbane coatguard "Manly" you would think 24/7
Nup..
they dont start till 6:00 am on weekends, by then large numbers of boats are already across SPB.
Redcliffe is online, goldcoast online, but not the coast guard..
Fully govt funded organisation..
Now you would think that over the weekend they might start early and leave the weekdays till a bit later, ie when boating traffic is higher.
They used to start earlier, I used to be able to logon at at 5:00am or so..
Regards
HOnda.
I always log on when heading outside or if there is any bar crossings to be had.
Yea,and Honda's right on the money,most off us are already outside doing our thing by the time they start up.
But if that's the case I will log on as soon as I hear them fire up!
If Im just playing around in Moreton Bay then I don`t usually log on.
Cheers
Cheers
Kerrod
Yeah I always log on with VMR Bribie and after hours Coast Guard Redcliffe.
Excellent service by volunteers so if they are good enough to give there time for my safety, I am sure that I am going to give myself one more level of safety at sea.
The guys at Bribie are right on the ball too. I have been a few minutes overdue a couple of times and they are right onto it calling me to see how I am going.
I always think that if I smashed into something at sea, sinking the boat quickly and I had no communications, at least they know where I departed from and was heading to plus time of return so they would know where to start a search.
It could save you, your family members or your mates lives so do it. These guys appreciate it too.
It must be very frustrating seeing everyone going out and not many logging on.
For those who go early and before your local station is maned I am sure that you could have an arrangement with them to cover yourself, possibly by giving them a call and asking the best arrangement.
At least call in after their start time and log on.
Better still become a member and they will issue you a personal call sign and have all your details on file for faster identification. There are many other benefits to being a member also.
I have said it before and now again..I believe the volunteers have far better things to do with their time than sit and listen to me recite rego nos etc..nope..never have logged on.
The volunteers haven't got better things to do thats why they volunteer and because they enjoy it. Boating can be a dangerous past time and every little safety extra is helpful and peace of mind. I always log on.
Always log on, usually with the family on board, run a single engine hull offshore to 50k's or so.
Have the boat set-up with EPIRB & safety gear, dual radios, fixed and handheld GPS and dual batteries, but there is some peace of mind in knowing that if everything turned to crap, someone has some idea of where we are.
Registered with them so no need to recite all the numbers, and while I hope I never have to call upon them, it is nice to know I can. I am relatively inexperienced, and do not consider the effort required to be an impost in respect of doing what I can to go boating safely.
Cheers
Thy
What VHF channel are they on?
Have never logged on around Brisbane, I get phone reception at Deep Tempest. Always log on when leaving 1770 as there is no phone reception and sometimes no VHF either depending on where we go. Always tell someone where we intend on going for the trip and when we will be home.
One thing I might add is that if I was coming home from a camping trip on Moreton and it was blowing above 30kt I would definetly log on.
They monitor several channels, Bribie VMR at least monitor VHF: 16,73,67,21,81,Originally Posted by Matt76
06.00 to 18.00 Hrs 365 days a year.
I am not sure about Redcliffe but should be similar. I mainly log on at Bribie but have been transfered to Redcliffe Coastguard after Bribie have closed off for the night when I am late coming home. I have used VHF 73 to contact Redcliffe when coming back late.
Best to contact your local service and talk to them.
The good thing to remember is that when registered as a member they have essential details such as boat description and registration, emergency contact phone numbers, home address and more.
They should know where your car and trailer or marina berth are to check as well when you log on.
Sample membership form so you can see the info that they will keep on file should you need assistance.
http://vmrbribie.com/userfiles/pdf/m...ion%202010.pdf
It is easy and they usually have a simple leaflet you can pick up detailing the few things they need to know to log you on, but no worries if you don't know, just call up on one of the monitored channels, and tell them that you would like to be put on the log, and they will ask you all the questions and they will be glad to do it for you. I have found them to always be friendly and helpful.
Oh and don't forget to log off when you return safely. Just a quick call using your rego or member number, whatever you used to log on and say: "This is xxxxx, we have returned safely, thankyou for your coverage, would you please take me off your log thankyou"
I think that if anyone thinks that their mobile phone is a reliable device in an emergency at sea, you are gambling on a lot of things going your way.
I do have my Telsra next G mobile with me and I make sure it is fully charged before I go and I have a charger on the boat, but it would be the last thing I would rely on if the s^#t hit the fan. I have to say reception is not reliable for me out wide, although an external antena would improve that a little if your boat is still intact. I look at the phone as one more level of safety but it would never be my only level or main level.
The radio is a much better device in an emergency because many of us monitor VHF while at sea and can respond to a call for help much more quickly if we are close by, then perhaps VMR or Coastguard who may be an hour or two away depending on where you are and when you call. Ch16 is the emergency call channel and it is good to dual watch this channel and your working channel while out, most if not all VHF sets have this ability. You need to imagine worst case scenarios, like being severley injured or your vessel is holed and going down. Someone close by may pick up your call and offer fast assistance. Your mobile will be useless in some cases.
I have been able to respond and help in this way because I have heard a distress call and knew I was close when they gave their location. I don't mind pulling up a fishing line to help someone. Commercial operators also monitor VHF and will often respond to an emergency.
Anyhow I feel I have an obligation to myself, and everyone I am responsible for on board, so i just build in as many levels of safety and communications as practical, and if you never use your radio how can you expect it to work when you really really need it. Only thing better than a good VHF radio is two VHF radios.
A waterproof handheld VHF is next on my list which when I get it will be placed fully charged inside my waterproof flare container when departing land which also contains my V sheet, flares, mirror, waterproof floating torch.
You can't just pull over 50kms, even 2kms out to sea and call the RACQ. Everyone needs to be a bit better prepared and communication is everything.
Please Log on and monitor your radio just quietly in the background, you will usually pick up on a distress call. The more that do it the better your chances of survival..
Fully Funded by Government??????????
Since when???????????????????????
Mike
Spot on!
I always log on and am a member with Redcliffe CG. Although a couple of w'ends ago, we left from Redland Bay, I tried to log on with them (Redland Bay CG) and didn't even get a response (from 100m away from their radio room). I identified myself as Redcliffe 197 and am pretty sure that you can log on with any CG other than your home base.
Cheers,
Leigh (Kero).
Thanks for the responses so far guys,
Pinhead, As a Volunteer myself i can assure you that one of the most important aspects of our job is to monitor the Radios and ensure that the general boating community has someone to watch over them, It takes less than a minute to log on and even less to log off, In an emergency situation we have your details and the response time in an emergency can be greatly reduced.
It is a free service, we dont ask for anything in return but any donations would be greatly appreciated again we are all Volunteers.
In regards to opening hours well unfortunately some stations are not open at all hours, Check your local Station for their opening times, if they wont be open when you depart give them a Phone call the day before and give them your info, when they do open they already have you down, alterantively call a station that is open.
Cheers Lee
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