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Marine Resource Page

Watchstanders's Reference

Information sources helpful to anyone maintaining a marine radio watch on shore or on board a vessel or that just has an interest in things maritime. This page contains useful and frequently used maritime sources for persons living along the Chesapeake Bay at Southern Maryland.

Useful Marine Safety Factoids

All persons born on or after July 1, 1972, must successfully complete a boating safety course to operate a numbered or documented vessel, including personal watercraft on Maryland’s public waters. No one under 16 years of age may operate a PWC (Personal Water Craft) and no one under 12 may operate a vessel towing persons on water skis etc. A PWC may NOT be operated between sunset and sunrise and a life jacket is required.

NEVER ask for a radio check on Channel 16. Call a vessel you can hear on Channel 9 and ask for a radio check.

Do not hold conversations on Channel 16. Channel 16 is for hailing and distress radio traffic only. Move your discussions to a working frequency.

Always maintain a radio watch on Channel 16. When you go near deep water and you have more than one VHF radio also listen on Channel 13, the bridge-to-bridge channel. Channel 9 may be used by recreational boaters as an alternate calling channel..

When you travel into deep water PLEASE listen carefully to your marine VHF radio. Know your surroundings. Understand how buoys are numbered because the big ships are going to call you this way, "Sailboat crossing my bow near buoy 78A what are your intentions?"

Make sure the volume is up and that the radio squelch is set properly. Your radio horizon is essentially line of sight. When the squelch is not at threshold your reception range is reduced. Best to get your VHF antenna as high as possible on the boat. Your radio is generally effective to 25 miles. A hand-held VHF radio is convenient but it may not be enough to save you in some areas.

GPS units are cheap. Take one with you so you can report your latitude and longitude if you need help. Consider AIS if you are going to be anywhere near the big ships.

Take your cellular telephone with you as well. Cellular coverage may be more reliable in some cases than marine VHF.

Bridge Tenders listen on Channel 13. e.g. Knapps Narrows Bridge. Always obey the Bridge Tender's instructions.

Coast Guard liaison frequency is 22A.

Listen before transmitting. Obey the FCC part 80 calling rules.

Take a Coast Guard Auxiliary Safe Boating Course or other similar state sponsored course.

Always wear your life jacket (Personal Flotation Device) and PLEASE make sure your children always do.

File a float plan/travel plan with family and friends and keep to your schedule. Check in when you promise to check in. Read this article at BoatSafe.com to learn why a float plan is important to your safety. Also visit the Coast Guard Auxiliary's Float Plan site.

Never test your flares and flare gun. You don't want to trigger a search!

Have your boat inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Have all of the required equipment. Remember that if you are boarded and you do not have the required safety equipment the Coast Guard or Police will issue you a citation and can order you to return to port. Your trip is then over, period.

Don't allow your children to play with your marine radio. Explain that marine radio is not a toy. Set an example for your children when you use your marine radio.

Control your own urge to behave badly using your marine VHF radio. The behavior is immature and unsafe. The primary reasons that marine VHF exists are for safety, navigation, and maritime operations. Entertainment was not a consideration. No one wants to listen to you horse around on the radio.

Know the meaning of NO WAKE and please watch yours. Be aware of the vessels around you so that your wake does not cause harm. you are responsible for your wake. Observe and comply all signs related to WAKE.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutters engaged in aids to navigation maintenance use on-board cranes to raise and lower AToNs. Our best local example is the Coast Guard Cutter James Rankin. The Rankin requires NO WAKE from passing vessels while the ship's crane is in operation. The safety of the Rankin's crew requires NO WAKE from passing vessels. Respect our Coast Guard and the safety of the James Rankin's crew. When you see an anchored Coast Guard Cutter leave NO WAKE. Watch the Rankin deploy the Francis Scott Key Buoy at this link.

Do not use VHF marine radio on land. It is not legal to use a marine radio at your home or place of business unless your radio station is a licensed coast station. Coast Station licenses are only granted by the FCC to businesses or organizations engaged in maritime commerce or to yachting clubs and organizations that must communicate with boaters. Families that want to communicate with family members may not use marine radio from home. Use GMRS or MURS instead. Visit the forums at PopularWireless.com for more information.

The Coast Guard and Maryland DNR may board your vessel at any time to perform a safety inspection. Consider having your vessel inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary ahead of a formal boarding by law enforcement. You are NOT cited if you fail an Auxiliary inspection, just asked to consider making the necessary improvements or changes to pass a future inspection. Vessels passing inspection receive an inspection sticker.

Know the federal requirements for recreational boats of various sizes.


PopularWireless Marine Radio Forum

Need a forum to chat about Marine radio? Our sister site PopularWireless.com maintains a bulletin board with a Marine Radio Forum. Our moderator Alan Spicer is a marine radio professional. he and and others on the bulletin board are experienced boaters that can help you with marine related questions. Visit the PopularWireless.com Marine Radio Forum!


Ship Watchers

Are you a ship watcher? Use the links located in the AIS category at your left to see AIS equipped vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay.



Just say NO!
to radio checks on channel 16. Channel 16 is for hailing and distress traffic only. Conduct radio checks on channel 9 or other working channel by directing a radio check request to a vessel you can hear on your VHF radio.

Wear it Wally!

Didn't find it here? Google it!

Watchstander's Custom Search

TIP: Many marinas in the Annapolis area listen on 09.

Link back to us
with this image:

Watchstander's Reference Link Back Image

Security & Safety

LNG Facility Tip

There are four conical shaped white private aids to navigation surrounding a secure 500 yard exclusion zone around the LNG dock off of Cove Point. No vessel may encroach within this secure area. To do so is a violation of LNG security. Remain well outside of the marked secured area around the LNG platform. The LNG Security team makes periodic security broadcasts announced on channel 16 and broadcast on 22A regarding the secure area.

Broadcasts

Know the definitions and proper use of MAYDAY, PAN PAN, and SECURITE.

Scheduled & Unscheduled Broadcasts

The Coast Guard makes periodic scheduled and unscheduled broadcasts. Listen to these broadcasts when the Coast Guard makes them. The contents of these message may apply to you.

Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971 Good Samaritan Provision

"Any person...who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident, or other casualty without objection of any person assisted, shall not be held liable for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment, or other assistance where the assisting person acts as a ordinary, reasonable prudent man would have acted under the same or similar circumstances."

Law of the Sea

The Master of a vessel is obligated by law to render assistance to any vessel or persons in need of assistance at sea. (You should ALWAYS ask the skipper of the other vessel if assistance is required particulalry if the vessel is a sail boat. Ask and stand by.





Be AWARE
of your WAKE.




Do Not Operate Marine VHF Radio on Land

It is a violation of FCC Rules under FCC Rules Part 80 to use a Marine VHF radio on land. (e.g. at home, in your car, standing on land with a portable radio) Only FCC licensed coast stations, specific stations of the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and law enforcement have that privilege. Use of marine VHF in your car or truck or at your home can subject you to a very heavy monetary fine from the FCC. Hunters across the USA have been fined thousands of dollars coordinating hunting activity on land with marine VHF portable radios. Consider a family GMRS system or MURS capable radio if you require a radio to stay in touch with family on shore or for other land based activity.

Boating Safety Mail List

US Coast Guard Boating Safety Email List fior the Northern Chesapeake Bay,

Associations

Chesapeake Bay
Power Boat Assn.



Float Plan
Central

Learn about
float plans.

Have you hugged a
Guardian today?

CGAUX Hat

Link idea? Want your Bay oriented link here? Send yours to doug@dougweb.com.

Updated
March 21, 2009

Copyright 2008-2009 / doug@dougweb.com

Know the meaning of NO WAKE.

No WAKE!