A high quality and extremely portable hand-held VHF radio could mean your life or that of a friend. Even if you never need to place an emergency call you may hear the call of a fellow kayaker in need in your close proximity. The up to the minute weather updates are also invaluable. Cell phones are great but don’t offer all of these benefits, not to mention they aren’t waterproof (resistant actually) like most VHF radios. Cell phones ARE NOT a viable alternative to a VHF radio as safety equipment.

Okay, so you have a VHF radio….what do you do with it? First off, bring it with you on every trip. Most radios have a JIS7 rating which simply means they can survive complete submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. However, some people still keep their radios in a waterproof bag, not a bad idea so long as it is the type of bag which will not interfere with the radio’s operation. Mine just stays in my PDF pocket (yes they are that small, my Uniden Voyager is 2.5″ x 3.75″ x 1″…no excuses there!).

In addition to your VHF radio you will also need to carry a compass and preferably a GPS as well. If you ever need emergency assistance, help will need to know where to find you. Be versed in the usage of a compass and your GPS. An emergency situation is not the time to try to figure out how to read your GPS coordinates or get a compass reading. Flares or a strobe light could also assist rescuers in finding you in a hurry especially in low light conditions.

Important message to all owners and users of VHF radios from the NZ Coastguard

All users of Marine VHF are required to hold a minimum of a Marine VHF Operators Qualification (an exception is made for radio use only in emergency or distress situations). To find out how to obtain this simple qualification, contact Coastguard Boating Education on 0800 40 80 90 or email info@cbes.org.nz.

All radio transmissions are required to be “individually identifiable”. Countries throughout the world have adopted the marine VHF call sign system as being the best option available.

Marine VHF call signs are held on a national database and are used solely for Search and Rescue purposes.

Marine VHF call signs for recreational and commercial boaties are available from Coastguard Boating Education, who maintain the database on behalf of Radio Spectrum Management; a division of the Ministry of Economic Development.

There is a charge of $30. To obtain your call sign, either print off the call sign application form above, or contact Coastguard Boating Education – phone 0900 54332 to automatically charge the $30 to the telephone account you are calling from; or free phone 0800 40 80 90 to provide credit card details.

Should any of your personal details change or if you change vessels you must advise Coastguard Boating Education. Phone 0800 40 80 90 to update your records.

Prohibited Communications

You must never transmit -

• False distress or emergency messages.
• Messages containing obscene, indecent, or profane words or meaning.
• General calls, signals, or messages on channel 16, except in an emergency or if you are testing your radio, or
• When your boat is on land.

Operating Procedures

You must follow the operating procedures for calling other stations, maintaining a safety watch, and relaying distress messages as specified in the Coastguard rules.

The Coastguard allows you to identify yourself over the air using an Coastguard-issued call sign.

So what channels can we use and what can we use them for?

Even though your VHF radio has many channels, only certain channels are authorized for your use. The marine VHF channels are divided into operational categories, based on the types of messages that are appropriate for each channel, and are available for the shared use of all boaters. You must choose a channel that is available for the type of message you want to transmit.

Channel 16 is the distress, safety and calling channel – use this channel to get the attention of another station (calling) or in emergencies (distress and safety). Channel 16 should be monitored at all times as this channel is not only used for distress calls but also for Coast Guard emergency broadcasts ie. weather alerts. As a calling frequency, this channel is primarily used for contacting commercial vessels.

Calling Coast Stations. You should contact an individual coast station on it’s assigned channel if you know it. If not, you may use Channel 16 and will be directed to the appropriate channel.

Emergencies

What are the marine emergency signals?

The three spoken international emergency signals are:

1. MAYDAY – The distress signal MAYDAY is used to indicate that a station is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.
2. PAN PAN – (pronounced “pon-pon”). The urgency signal PAN PAN is used when the safety of the ship or person is in jeopardy.
3. SECURITE – (pronounced as “SAY–CURE-IT-TAY”) The safety signal SECURITE is used for messages about the safety of navigation or important weather warnings.

When using an international emergency signal, the appropriate signal is to be spoken three times prior to the message.

You must give any message beginning with one of these signals priority over routine messages.

Distress call procedures

Procedure for VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY:

1. Select channel 16 on your VHF radio.
2. Transmit the distress signal “MAYDAY”, spoken three times.
3. The words “THIS IS”, spoken once.
4. Your call sign (spoken three times) and your vessel name, spoken once.
5. Repeat “MAYDAY” and name of vessel, spoken once.
6. Give position of vessel by latitude or longitude or by bearing (true or magnetic, state which) and distance to a well-know landmark such as a navigational aid or small island, or in any terms which will assist a responding station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any information on vessel movement such as course, speed and destination.
7. Nature of distress (sinking, injury etc.).
8. Kind of assistance desired.
9. Number of persons on board.
10. Any other information which might facilitate rescue, such as a description of your kayak including color, number of persons needing medical attention, color of your pfd, etc.
11. The word “OVER”

Stay by the radio if possible. Even after the message has been received, the Coast Guard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal on which a rescue boat or aircraft can home.

For example:

Mayday-Mayday-Mayday
This is zulu mike serria 4 1 5 6, zulu mike serria 4 1 5 6, ZMS4156, mental
Tutukaka, North Gable
Struck submerged object
Kayak holed and sinking, need assistance and tow
One adult on board
Estimate can remain afloat two hours
Mental is a 4.5 meter kayak, yellow hull and deck
Over

Repeat at intervals until an answer is received.

MAYDAY Misuse.
A growing number of boaters unsuccessful in getting a radio check on VHF channel 16 are calling MAYDAY to get a response. Every hoax, including MAYDAY radio checks, is subject to prosecution.

Procedure for Calling a Boat by Radio

Channel 16 may be used for initial contact (hailing) with a commercial vessel. However, channel 16′s most important use is for emergency messages. This channel (16) must be monitored at all times except when actually using another channel. It is monitored by the Coastguard and by other vessels. Use of channels 16 for hailing must be limited to initial contact only. Calling should not exceed 30 seconds, but may be repeated 3 times at 2- minute intervals.

Prior to making contact with another vessel, select an appropriate channel for communications after initial contact. Monitor your desired channel in advance to make sure you will not be interrupting other traffic, and then go back to either channel 16 or your initial contact.

When the hailing channel (16) is clear, state the name of the other vessel you wish to call and then “this is” followed by the name of your vessel and/or call sign). When the other vessel returns your call, immediately request another channel by saying “go to,” the number of the other channel, and “over.” Then switch to the new channel. When the new channel is not busy, call the other vessel. After a transmission, say “over,” and release the microphone’s push-to-talk (PTT) switch. When all communication with the other vessel is completed, end the last transmission by stating your Call Sign and the word “out.” Note that it is not necessary to state your Call Sign with each transmission, only at the beginning and end of the contact. Remember to return to Channel 16 when not using another channel. Some radios automatically monitor Channel 16 even when set to other channels or when scanning.

For example:

Red Dwarf, Red Dwarf this is Mental over
This is Red Dwarf over
Red Dwarf go to 8 over
Roger Mental, 8 over
Converse on 8, end conversation with Out
This is Mental back to channel 16

If you know that the other person you wish to contact is monitoring another available channel, ie., 8, contact them there.

Storm Warnings

The Coastguard announces storm warnings and other urgent marine information broadcasts on channel 16.

Radio Checks

Radio checks with the Coast Guard Communications Stations are allowed.

Summary
There is a lot of information here but once you get the hang of it its pretty simple. Listen to channel 16  for a while and you will get a good understanding for the standard operating procedures of the VHF radio. Let it be known that I do not proclaim to be an expert about VHF radios. Many reading this will know far more than I ever will about this topic so feel free to let me know if I missed something or just plain got something wrong. My initial reasoning for writing this was to educate myself and I hope that by posting it here it may be helpful to you as well. As always, you should explore other sources of information regarding this topic.

Accidents in this great sport are fortunately few and far between but they can (and will) happen. A VHF radio is a “must have” safety item aboard your kayak. Never consider your safety equipment as your “security blanket” and push your own limitations, common sense must always prevail.

Good Luck and most importantly, Be Safe!