VHF Soap Box warning…..
I have some conviction about keeping a VHF radio on at all times when paddling. Your radio should be on your person, not in your boat. I believed that the VHF radio is the best piece of safety equipment we have (excluding an on deck flash light, torch, at night).
First, we have a branch of our armed forces set up to monitor this device (Ch16) for distress calls. Second, it is long standing, tried and true, means by which mariners hail one another. Third, ‘real’ mariners piloting ‘real’ vessels are required to monitor Ch16. Fourth, it is very educational as well as entertaining. Fifth, good ambassador of the kayaking community need to be good mariners, we as ‘experts in our craft’ should act like real mariners and be at the ready to offer assistance.
Whenever I am paddling the Great Lakes, ICW, or the ocean (gulf) my VHF is on. I use it in tri-mode transmitting to paddling buddies on the risqué Ch69, but monitoring 16 and 9. If I am alone, I have it in dual mode so I can transmit on 16, and monitor 9.
I use an IcomM72/73. I carry a spare unit, but a spare battery would suffice. With the unit always on (18h/day) it lasts for 5 days. The spare battery gets me through the entire EG Challenge.
Why? It is the means by which we get Pan-Pans and Securitys that may be of importance to me. It is the means by which we can hear a Mayday and be of assistance to a fellow Mariner. It gives us an opportunity to alert a larger vessel that we are in the vicinity if we feel there may be a safety issue. You can, and I have, hailed to ask their intentions, and/or make mine known. Recently, I have hailed a CG vessel to ask their intentions (long story, but I needed a bath). I do a 6 mile crossing in the dark (twice with a new moon last year) regularly with freighters; while they can’t react quickly, they usually announce themselves as they enter the Straights of Mackinac. You will learn about the limitations of the CG as well; they follow algorithms. For instance, if you are a 12y old, and your adult pilot is blind and in/out of consciousness after a radiator explosion, you have to say the words “I am requesting a rescue/assistance” or they will not come, for 3 hours. Really :)
With the winds and slow speed last year KneadingWater was only able to continue on to Flamingo after hailing the only motor vessel around to inform them I ‘needed water.’ The next day, after giving some of that same water to another needy WaterTribe vessel, we (they) were able to offer assistance to a demasted tribal AI who then hailed us (days before, that same captain didn’t have access to his radio).
Regarding the start (and the end) of our challenge, we should NOT be hailing/communicating with one another on Ch16. I agree we should have a working channel (69, sigh, or 71). If someone dumps in Tampa Bay the CG should NOT hear about it. As mariners, we are required to stop and give assistance. And, if we don’t know how to get even an incapacitated kayaker back into a boat and to shore, we should not be in this race. So, if you are having a problem (lost paddle, rudder failure, capsize) hail a tribe member, we will help (I will help). If you are at risk of injury or death, then please call the CG first, then hail a tribe member.
Having, and get accostomed to regularlying using your VHF will keep you communications efficient, and appropriate. You will learn not to shout when you are truly in distress, as no one can understand you. You will learn if your radio sucks, and you can't hear transmission others hear, and if other can actually hear you when you transmit. It is a problem when somone you rely on cant be heard when they transmit. Been there.
Tow belts? You should be wearing one as an expert in your craft. If you wear it, you will use it for wind bound kids in inflatables, for jet skis, sail boats, pontoon boats, and convicted felons. You may even get to two the CG auxiliary when they break down (made the papers).
Lastly, having your VHF turned on is just good manners. It should be on before you leave the beach, if only so that you buddy on the beach can hail you to say “do you have spare sunglasses” avoiding a trip back to the car and getting you both on the ways sooner. Communication is the key to any good relationship. :)
See you on the beach,
KW