THE HARBOR COLUMN:Marine band radio is important tool at sea

Ahoy,

It’s a great weekend to get out on the water with 3-foot swells, 70-degree ocean water temperatures, plus great weather. As always, you will need to be prepared for morning and evening fog when the inland areas’ air temperatures are this hot.

Next week we will see what effects hit the Southland from Hurricane Dean, which is beating a westerly path across the Caribbean. Tropical Depression Erin has made landfall in southern Texas and is heading northwest, which will bring us muggy weather with high clouds along the coast.

I have been noticing that many boaters either have forgotten or do not know simple protocol when using their boat’s VHF marine band radio.

Remember, this radio is not a toy, but a very useful communication tool, especially in an emergency situation. I do not want to hear you yelling “Mayday!” over the VHF marine band radio if you run out of fuel unless you are going to be smashed on the rocks. But then I ask, where is your anchor?

Remember: Channel 16 is a hailing and distress channel only, and it is often misused by the Sunday sailors. You use 16 to hail another vessel and then switch to one of the working channels such as 68, 69, 71, 72, or 78. Never chat with another boater nor ask for a radio check on channel 16.

Also, 16 is where you will transmit a call if you are in distress. However, “mayday” is reserved for immediate danger to life or vessel. If you are not in immediate danger then just hail the Coast Guard or a towing service like Vessel Assist if you are a member. Tip of the week: If you are in trouble and need assistance out on the water, use your VHF radio to call for help, and not your cell phone. The radio’s signal can be tracked to help find you, and in a real emergency — like sinking — nearby boats can hear your call to come to your assistance. Why would any boater venture out of Newport Harbor and into the Pacific Ocean without knowing how to use the VHF radio for an emergency?

Safe voyages.