Update on DSC and CG Rescue 21 Program

[Catigale]

Boat US magazine this month has the latest scoop on the implementation of DSC distress calling and the direct link to the CG.

The plan to implement this is way behind schedule, right now only

Atlantic City NJ
Eastern Shore VA

are operational

Planning to come on line in 2006
St Pete FL
Mobile AL
Seattle WA
Port Angeles WA

Planned for 2007
NY NY
LOng ISland NY
Moriches NY
Hampton Roads VA
Key West and Miami FL
Mayport FL
Galveston and Corpus Christi TX
Astoria Portand and North BEnd OR

...so it is still worth interfacing your GPS to your DSC enabled VHF even if your area isnt active, as the CG can be notified of a DSC maday hail by any DSC equipped vessel, but dont expect that your DSC Mayday hail will be picked up direct by the CG as planned earlier.

[craiglaforce]

Heck, they don't even use VHF here in Oklahoma.
You can leave the VHF on 16 all day long and not a peep. Not even a radio check.

[Balu]

Heck, they don't even use VHF here in Oklahoma.
You can leave the VHF on 16 all day long and not a peep. Not even a radio check.

Must be great swimmers in Oklahoma .
DSC is well established now in the UK that any VHF sold, has to have DSC and all marine radio courses include DSC training.

[Sloop John B]

What does DCS stand for?

I was once steered to a link that advised on how to make a proper Mayday call. Ive lost it and cant recall quite how it went. Next time, Ill print it out and laminate it and scotch tape it to the bulkhead.

I dont want to appear too stupid when the time comes.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Sloop, make sure you say "MayDay" three times, and then click your heels together and say "I wanna go home" three times. If it isn't so urgent, say "Pan-Pan" three times and go find the wizard instead.

[Balu]

What does DCS stand for?

.

Digital Selective Calling.

[Chip Hindes]

I sent this to Sloop by PM, then decided to post it in case anyone else wants it. The text comes from Chapman's. I changed it to around 16 point font and bolded it before I printed it out. Mine's laminated and affixed to the bulkhead adjacent to the radio. Obviously you'll want to edit it and put your own stuff in it instead of mine.

***********************************************************

MAYDAY calls are made only when grave and eminent danger threatens life or property and immediate assistance is required. Being weathered in or overdue is not a MAYDAY situation. For less severe situations call the Coast Guard or harbormaster using Channel 16.

Procedure:
1) Turn to Channel 16, push the microphone button, state: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY

2) THIS IS NEXTBOAT, NEXTBOAT, NEXTBOAT.

3) MAYDAY. State WHERE you are. Give the most exact information possible. Latitude and Longitude, or direction and distance from a well know navigation landmark.

4) State WHAT is wrong (collision, sinking, injured person, etc.).

5) WE REQUIRE type of assistance required.

6) ABOARD ARE NUMBER of persons on board and the condition of any persons who are injured.

7) PRESENT SEAWORTHINESS of the vessel or vessels.

8) NEXTBOAT IS A 26 FOOT MACGREGOR SAILBOAT, WHITE WITH BLACK TRIM

9) I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16.

10) THIS IS NEXTBOAT, OVER.

Send a Pan-Pan (pronounced Pahn-Pahn) emergency call if the safety of a person or vessel is in jeopardy and the danger is not life-threatening.

1) Turn to Channel 16, state PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN.

2) ALL STATIONS or the name of a particular vessel.

3) THIS IS NEXTBOAT.

4) WE nature of emergency.

5) WE REQUIRE type of assistance required or other information such as position, description of vessel, number of people on board.

6) NEXTBOAT.

7) OVER.

If you have transmitted a Pan-Pan and find you no longer need assistance, you must cancel the message

1) PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN.

2) HELLO ALL STATIONS, HELLO ALL STATIONS.

3) THIS IS NEXTBOAT.

4) TIME IS time of transmission by 24 hour clock.

5) CANCEL PAN-PAN.

6) OUT.

[Moe]

Great idea, Chip. Might be handy to add a line or two where one should release the mike button. Don't laugh.