VHF radio usage question

[eklarsen]

I am relatively new to fishing in Washington and I have noticed that folks hear don't chat much on the VHF. Is this a Washington thing as other places I have lived and fished always have lively conversations, bite reports etc... Just wondered what the etiquette was.

[Mike Carey]

When I got my first saltwater boat I remeber having a VHF and monitoring channels for charters and whatnot, it was always interesting to see if I could find some "inside info". I think in the age of cell phones that practice has kind of faded. My radio died a long time ago and I never bothered to replace it. But I also don't go offshore any distance either so not much of a need.

[BentRod]

Agreed. VHF and the CB seem to have gone the way of the Dodo since the advent of the cell phone.

[eklarsen]

Well I am bringing it back changing my name to retro -eklarsen

[zen leecher]

It's hard to call the Coast Guard for help if there's no cell phone coverage. I hit areas around Seiku and Neah Bay where I didn't have cell phone coverage. I had line of sight with my VHF.

[hewesfisher]

It's hard to call the Coast Guard for help if there's no cell phone coverage. I hit areas around Seiku and Neah Bay where I didn't have cell phone coverage. I had line of sight with my VHF.

Absolutely, and it's even harder to call them when they aren't there at all like on the waters I fish. Weak cell coverage in certain spots only. I added VHF specifically for that reason. In an emergency I'll have a better chance of contacting another boat, park rangers, or possibly an on-shore VHF station in one of the small communities along the shorline.

[G-Man]

I have my radio on whenever I'm in navigable waters. If you or someone else is in distress, a fellow boater on the water is going to be able to assist much quicker than whatever a 911 call will get you.

[Bodofish]

Well guys just in case you are unaware, the CG does not respond to or monitor CH16 anymore. They no longer rescue any distressed boaters. That duty now falls to private interests, our tax dollars now go to enforcing our borders and trying to catch smugglers. So to put it bluntly, the Coast Guard has been relegated to the ranks of the traffic police. The only thing they have to do with your boat is certification at the manufacture and collecting fees for it's operation. If your engine dies while you're out in the middle, you spring a leak or someone is injured, your call is to Vessel Assist and I hope you all have your towing insurance up to date. Now back to VHF, why isn't it used much? For exactly the reasons eklarsen wants it to come back. It is not a secure form of communication, everybody and god is listening when you talk. Limited strength that's hobbled by line of sight transmission. Anywhere you go on Puget Sound a cell phone has better coverage, better security (privacy), someone will answer, you can leave a message and you won't get a 100k fine for using one with out a license, for you or the station. Neah Bay is about the only place Cell coverage is spotty on the water as the Makah Tribe has seen fit to give Verizon an exclusive contract for cell towers on the res. Luckily I've always been able to pick up Canadian Cell towers and they are more than happy to route calls. Hummmmmm, now that I think about it, they have a Coast Guard that helps to protect is boaters and marine community too..... Wow, Socialism, aint it grand! If they rescue you and have to take you to the hospital, I doubt you'll ever see a bill regardless of your citizenship.

[rappuhd]

Bodo- The CG does still monitor 16 and if someone is injured or the safety of the people on board is at risk they can still respond and help. However, you are correct they no longer tow boats unless the boats safety is in jeopardy or there is no tow available.

[Bodofish]

Bodo- The CG does still monitor 16 and if someone is injured or the safety of the people on board is at risk they can still respond and help. However, you are correct they no longer tow boats unless the boats safety is in jeopardy or there is no tow available.

Good luck with that. I called them on the phone when a boat was sinking 500 yards from their dock and they were ignoring the radio. The response was to call vessel assist, they no longer rescue vessels in distress. Maybe out of Kodiak because it makes for good TV, in Puget Sound you're SOL.

[Jerry H]

Not highly advised unless you are REALLY REALLY in need of help on Puget Sound and no one is responding just say something in reference to terrorism. In short order you will have all the company you want or need. Be advised they will be coming at full throttle and the twin 50 cals. on the bow will be manned, locked and loaded. When they arrive they will not be in a good mood and you probably should keep your hands where they can see them.

[G-Man]

Which sort of brings me back to my point of keeping the radio on when I'm out on the water. We all should be looking out for one another, it's part of the mariner's code, helping fellow boaters in distress.

If I'm on the water, my gear is active and if you want to chat hit me up on channel 68.

[Bodofish]

Oh yeah, and the most important thing is to keep your eyes peeled for visual clues to people in distress as often they're last resort is to grab the radio or phone and call for help. Way too often the radio and phone come into play when it's far too late.

[BARCHASER10]

I keep my VHF on all the time also. But cell phones have pretty much eliminated the kind of chatter we used to hear on the VHF. It was kind of fun to chat back and forth "back in the day".

[eklarsen]

I will come get you just call the rubber duck.