VHF Radio
By Perry Mack
Having a VHF radio on board could be the next best piece of equipment next to a lifejacket. But not everyone wants to spend the $50 and a bit of time to get a ham radio licence, then purchase and install the radio on their boat – because, they say, ‘I’ll never need it’. And yet every year someone dies and many are seriously injured in the Thompson Okanagan. They could probably have received assistance more quickly if they had a VHF radio.
The disadvantages of a cellphone include:
- the location can’t be determined by radio direction finders
- 911 calls from marine locations can be misdirected to fire or police instead of marine rescue
- cell calls can’t be monitored by other boaters (who may be closer)
- the caller can’t be contacted from rescue boats or aircraft if rescue doesn’t know the number
If a cell phone is all you intend to have with you, take the following precautions before you leave the dock:
- make sure your battery is fully charged
- keep your phone in a waterproof case (or bag) that floats
- have the rescue phone numbers you need with you, preferably written in large easy to read numbers on the phone
- speak slowly and clearly when you place the distress call, immediately give your:
- cell phone number
- vessel name and description
- position and location (i.e. ‘we are one km south of Rattlesnake Island’)
- nature of the emergency
- number of people on board
- repeat the cell number before you end the call