SIDE VIEW
Many thanks to those of you that stayed to participate in the cruise planning session that was the March program. There was a lot of great information shared, and it sounds as if the NFCC burgee will be seen far and wide this coming cruising season.
For those of you that missed the general meeting, We also discussed VHF radio courtesy, and procedures to some extent with the prime point being that Channel 16 should be used as a hailing and DISTRESS frequency. At the same time, Channel 9 is available for a general hailing frequency. It was mentioned that the club should, perhaps, use Channel 9 as a designated hailing frequency. Noel was kind enough, following the meeting, to point out to me that it was still an FCC requirement to monitor Channel 16 when you have your radio on. He also indicated that folks with older VHF’s wouldn’t have the dual channel scan capability.
Well, folks, it occurred to me that it’s time to move the hand held VHF radio from the "Luxury" list to the "REQUIRED" list. They have come down enough in price ($150 or less) and do have the dual scan capability. What’s more, they’ll also include a feature that will dip into the weather channel and listen for the severe weather alert tones. Once one is received, the radio locks on the channel and sounds the tone until you press the scan button. This alone should be worth the price of investment for a transceiver that you don’t even have to have a licence for.
With that in mind, I still think it’s a good idea for us to adopt Channel 9 as a general hailing frequency. For the past three weekends, I’ve heard the Coast Guard having to repeatedly ask for radio silence on Channel 16 in order to assist vessels in some level of distress. On all three weekends, I’ve heard some of our members, during the requested ban, continue to hail bridges and other vessels. Come on folks, it’s time we relinquish Channel 16 to the poor souls that need the CG’s assistance, and use Channel 9 for it’s intended purpose.
Now that the editorializing is done, down to the good stuff. I hear STRONG rumors that the BUBBA is being pulled in multiple directions. Now, this is the club I know and love. Keep it up folks, and yes it’s true that the rumors include that I’m in the running. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa....
For the April program, I’ve been attempting to contact the elusive Lt. Dean from the USCG to come and talk about what our tax dollars are doing for us from their share of the pie, and perhaps more importantly, discuss with us what we can do to help each other and the Coast Guard when it comes time to lend assistance. Remember, folks, when you’re on the water, the watch phrase is ‘next time, it could be you.’
Personal note to the navigator of WIND BLOWN HARE. The finish line for the Fernandina Race is closer to St. Mary’s Inlet than it is to Bermuda........