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I have
written a few articles regarding how Coastguards and the Maritime
and Coastguard Agency (MCA) can assist canoeists, particularly
sea kayakers. One of the points I have stressed is the dedicated
headset watch on VHF Channel 16, the distress frequency, which
was due to end in February 2005.
Recent
upgrades to equipment and legislation for commercial vessels,
mainly relating to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS), have meant that this change to VHF listening procedures
has started to change sooner and I feel that not all canoeists
will be aware of this fact.
Below
is a copy of the official press release. If you have any queries
about this press release contact either the Press Office on
the number given below or contact your local Coastguard Station.
Other press releases from the MCA
can be found at
Anne Young
Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre
Monday,
September 8, 2003
COASTGUARD ANNOUNCE CHANGE TO VHF LISTENING
Her Majesty's Coastguard has been responsible for the integrity
of the international VHF distress, safety and calling frequency,
namely VHF Channel 16, for 30 years.
This task
has included the maintenance of a continuous distress watch
on VHF Channel 16 which has traditionally been carried out
via a headset watch. The United Kingdom Coastguard has been
alone worldwide, in maintaining such a headset watch on the
emergency VHF Channel.
The introduction
of more reliable and automated methods of distress alerting
by vessels at sea, via satellite communications and digital
selective calling (DSC) and the increasing use of mobile telephones,
which is not recommended, in coastal waters for alerting purposes
is now requiring Coastguards to keep an ear to these differing
methods. Having a Coastguard tied into just one way of communication
does not allow Operators to monitor other activities.
Therefore,
as from 00:01 on the 22nd September 2003, Coastguards may
now maintain this distress watch either via headset or loudspeaker,
but this will be dictated by the risk and operational demand
at the time.
Peter
Dymond, Head of Search and Rescue said:
"The
increasing range of other tasks now undertaken by Coastguard
Rescue Co-ordination Centre staff and the flexibility generated
by the establishment of operational partnerships between linked
co-ordination centres now requires a different approach to
managing an Operations Room which is not helped if an operator
is continuously tied to a single task.
"However,
our Operations Room Managers can still undertake a headset
watch on VHF Channel 16 if the risk; current operations, noise
levels or other circumstances demand it.
"Our
state of the art Integrated Coastguard Communications System
(ICCS) also provides an instant playback facility for VHF
Channel 16, and additionally, equipment shortly to be installed
in every co-ordination centre, will provide instant playback
on all VHF Channels and will also be available to the Coastguard
Operator.
"Despite
these changes, HM Coastguard will continue to be responsible
for the integrity of VHF Channel 16 which means ensuring that
the Channel is only used for
distress, urgency and brief safety communications including
the announcement of
maritime safety information broadcasts, and for establishing
other communications
which should be transferred to a suitable working channel.
"
We also continue to recommend the installation of effective
suitable equipment on vessels and would remind seafarers that
mobile phones cannot be totally relied upon when at sea for
distress and other emergency calls."
Posted by: Mark Clark
For further
details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Duty Press Officer
Office hours: 023 8032 9401
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