A VHF Primer - Part 2

"Securité, Securité, Securité, (pronounced Securitay) this is the Sea Tow Vessel Blackhawk, the Sea Tow Vessel Blackhawk, again the Sea Tow Vessel Blackhawk, WHH5544, entering the Lake Worth inlet with a disabled vessel on a short stern tow. Requesting a wide berth and minimum wake. All concerned traffic contact the Sea Tow Blackhawk on channel 16. Out."

I'm sure you've heard the above message, or something similar, many times while out on your boat. You may have also heard "Securité" used to report manatees that are swimming in the middle of the intracoastal. Securité messages are used to report navigational safety concerns to the general boating population.

For example, if you saw a piling floating in the water that could possibly endanger boats in the area, you would say; "Securité, Securité, Securité, this is the Good Sam, again the Good Sam, the Good Sam, WAB1234, there is a piling about 20' long floating in the channel just south of marker #8, east of Peanut Island. Again, there is a 20' long piling floating on the surface in the channel just south of marker #8, east of Peanut Island. All concerned traffic proceed through the area with caution. This is the Good Sam, WABC 1234, Standing by on Channel 16. Out. While you may not want to broadcast a "Securité" message for every coconut you see floating in the water, reporting a major navigational hazard may save someone a costly repair and, if they are not a Sea Tow Member, an expensive tow bill.

We discussed "Mayday" calls in part one. For those of you who missed the discussion, let's have a very quick review. Mayday calls are used only when there is immediate danger of loss of property or life. In other words, if you are sinking, or see another vessel sinking, or someone on board is seriously injured, you issue a "Mayday" call.

The last of the three international safety and distress signals for the VHF is "Pan-Pan" (pronounced PAHN-PAHN). "Pan-Pan" is used when you or your vessel is in trouble but not in immediate danger. Let's say, for example, you run over the above mentioned piling because you didn't hear the Securité broadcast (your stereo is louder than the VHF) and you shear both props off. You are not taking on water (therefore not in danger of sinking) and no one is injured. The tide is going out and taking you with it - towards six to eight foot seas in the mouth of the inlet. You have about half an hour until you are broadside to the waves. Six weeks ago your brother-in-law borrowed your anchor and never returned it.

Now's the time to say (on channel 16), "Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, this is the vessel UHOH, the UHOH, again the UHOH, WXYZ 987, we are just east of marker #8, at the west end of Lake Worth inlet. I repeat we are just east of marker #8, at the west end of Lake Worth inlet. Again, we are just east of marker #8, at the west end of Lake Worth inlet. We are disabled and being carried out of the inlet and have no anchor on board. We are disabled and being carried out of the inlet. We have 4 people on board, we are a 25' center console Grady White. Color white with black trim, request assistance, request assistance. The vessel UHOH, WXYZ 987, over."

The "request assistance" is redundant. "Pan" is, by definition, a request for assistance. But, in case there is someone nearby who doesn't know what a "Pan" call is, adding those few extra words may help.

If you hear a "Pan" call, treat it just as you would a "Mayday" call. Stay off the radio. Let the Coast Guard or other enforcement agency handle the communications. If, however, you are nearby, head towards the vessel that is in trouble and be prepared to throw a line on her. Monitor channel 16. If you are the first vessel on scene and there is no other assistance in sight, get a line on the disabled boat, bring her into safe waters, toss out your anchor and wait for professional assistance in the form of a Sea Tow or other towing company vessel, a Coast Guard or other enforcement agency boat or a Coast Guard auxiliary boat. As soon as you have the vessel safely under tow, call the Coast Guard and tell them. They will provide guidance and instruction, as necessary.

VHF Channels

Channel 16 is for emergency, distress, safety and initial vessel contact messages ONLY. Channel 9 is designated by the FCC as the Recreational Calling Channel for use by non-commercial boaters. The intent here is to have the recreational boater make contact on channel 9 and then move to one of the other recreational channels thus clearing channel 16 of some of its traffic. Boaters who elect to monitor channel 9 are relieved from the requirement to monitor channel 16. However, all the really good stuff still happens on channel 16. You may want to consider, since they are pretty inexpensive, having two radios on board. With two radios, you've got a back-up should one die.

The other channels designated for use by the recreational boater are channels 68, 69, 71, 72 and 78A. For non-emergency calls, once contact has been made on channel 9 or 16, switch to one of these "working channels. Also use these channels for your radio checks. The knowledgeable boater will never use channel 16 for a radio check. A radio check is like going out to start your car just to see if it still runs. Unless you've worked on your radio or haven't used it in a while, radio checks are unnecessary. But if you must, use a working channel - not channel 16. Sea Tow will be happy to respond to a radio check on channel 9 or channel 7. Just give us a call.

Channel 13 is designated for commercial ship to ship (bridge to bridge) navigation and for use by bridges and locks. Here in South Florida all bridges monitor channel 13 and usually don't monitor channel 16 (or won't respond on 16) - regardless of what is painted on them.

Channel 14 is designated for use by Harbor Control. You'll find the pilots on channel 14.

Channel 22A is the Coast Guard Liaison Channel. It is, if effect, their "working channel" for communications with boaters. If you call the Coast Guard on channel 16, expect to be moved to 22A. Incidentally, the "A" indicates a United States frequency that is different from the international frequency on channel 22. All new radios today have a "USA" button or means of selecting "USA" or other international frequencies. While in U.S. waters, keep your radio on the "USA" frequencies.

Channels 24 through 28 and channels 84 through 88 are used for "public correspondence" (the marine operator.) The following are the local channels monitored by the marine operator:

West Palm Beach Channels 28 and 85

Ft. Lauderdale Channels 26 and 84

Miami Channels 24 and 25

Miami Beach Channel 85

Marathon Channel 24

Key West Channels 26 and 84

Stuart Channel 26

Vero Beach Channel 27

For a complete list, visit our Communications Page.