How to use a VHF radio

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How to use a VHF radio

Published on Saturday, 05 December 2009 11:05

Written by Holger

Even though we live in the times of mobile phones and wireless internet, the VHF marine radio network remains the main way of calling for help, or to contact other ships. I carry a handhold VHF every time I go off shore. Along most of the more densely populated coastline of Australia there is a tight network of 'radio towers' (like the Volunteer Marine Rescue/VMR among several others) which constantly monitor the contact / emergency channel 16. Bigger boats/ships do the same. That gives you a very good chance to be heard if you are in trouble, as well as a chance to communicate directly with bigger ships.

To operate a VHF in Australian waters a licence is required. In several talks to my local VMR tower they told me it is not illegal to carry a VHF without a licence and it is not illegal to make an emergency call without a licence, but you have to follow the etiquette. Though it is illegal to use for chit chat between kayaks or for anything else without a license! Their consensus was basically 'Look, kayaks are vulnerable out there. We much prefer it if all you kayakers & other small vessels take a VHF out with you, and if you run into trouble you are able to call for help - even if you are not yet licensed. Definitely better than you guy's dying out there'. So although they're happy for kayakers to carry and use if required, of course they will strongly suggest getting a licence.

Another bonus of the marine radio network is that they transmit the weather forecast twice a day and in case of upcoming bad weather, an hourly weather warning. There are variations on time and the channel used depending on the state and your local area, so contact your local VMR for details. All initial calls on VHF are made on channel 16, and once communication is established you'll most likely be asked to change to another channel, to free the contact channel again. (You will be told which one).

There are 3 different signals:
Distress signals: The radio telephone distress signal consists of the word MAYDAY spoken three times. This signal indicates that a marine mobile station is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.
Urgent signal: The radio telephone urgent signal consists of three repetitions of the words PAN-PAN . This signal indicates that the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft or other vehicle, or the safety of a person.
Safety signal: The radio telephone safety signal consists of the word SECURITE spoken three times. This signal indicates that the station is about to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological warnings.

In the case that you are out on the water, the wind and tide have turned on you, and you are unable to return to shore, it wouldn't necessarily justify a mayday call. (You are still well & sitting in you kayak, but you need help to come back in). It would justify a Pan-Pan call though. On the other hand if you fell out in high seas, and got separated from your kayak, just drifting in your life vest- this would justify a Mayday call for sure. The distress call has absolute priority over all transmissions and need not be addressed to any particular station. Any mariner hearing a distress call shall immediately cease all transmissions capable of interfering with the distress message and shall continue to listen on the frequency on which the call was heard.

How to send a Distress Call:
- You may only have seconds to send a distress call. Here's what you do. Transmit, in this order:
- If you have a VHF marine radio, tune it to channel 16.
- Distress signal "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY"
- The words "THIS IS", spoken once.
- Name of vessel in distress (spoken three times) and call sign or boat registration number, spoken once.
- Give position of vessel by latitude or longitude or by bearing (true or magnetic) and distance to a well-know landmark such as a navigational aid or small island, or in any terms which will assist a responding station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any information on vessel movement such as course, speed and destination.
- Nature of distress (sinking, fire etc.).
- Kind of assistance desired.
- Number of persons onboard or in danger.
- Any other information which might facilitate rescue, such as number of persons needing medical attention, colour of hull, sail, etc.
- The word "OVER"

Stay by the radio if possible. Even after the message has been received, the Coast Guard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal on which a rescue boat or a helicopter can home. For example:
MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY.
THIS IS JULIETT, JULIETT, JULIETT, A RED SEA KAYAK.
MY POSITION IS 2 KILOMETRES EAST OF BROOMS HEAD (or better a bearing / GPS COORDINATES).
MY KAYAK GOT HIT BY A POWERBOAT AND IS TAKING ON WATER & SINKING.
I NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
ONE ADULT ONBOARD.
ONE PERSON WITH A FRACTURED ARM.
ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT for 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
JULIETT IS A RED SEA KAYAK EQUIPPED WITH A WHITE SAIL AND FISHING RODS
OVER.
Repeat at intervals until an answer is received.