We were on our way back from the Canadian Gulf Islands bound for Friday Harbor. Suddenly, on Channel 16, came "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! We have a fire on board. We are just in the San Juan Channel. We are putting our passengers off in our shore boat. Over." Almost immediately the U.S. Coast Guard answered the call.
We were just off Turn Point, Stuart Island, and close to the boat in trouble, so we told the Coast Guard that we were responding. Right on our heels, other vessels, including a classic sailing vessel, said that they, too, were responding.
As we all closed on the boat, it's skipper (who had remained wonderfully calm and obviously well in command) announced that the fire turned out to be a broken hose spewing hot steam into the boat. A possible tragedy that, luckily, turned out well. The Coast Guard relieved all of us from the response commitment.
Some of us never think about having to - - none of us hope never having to -- some of us have had to - - that is, make a Mayday call.
And if you had to make this distress call, you had to go to Channel 16 (of course your VHS radio was turned on - - you'd been faithfully monitoring that channel, hadn't you?), make the call giving your location (where the heck are we?) your situation, and other stuff. And of course you were doing your best to stay calm, focused, speak clearly, and hope that you got through, at the same time wondering what the heck to do, and how to keep crew and passengers calm. That was then.
Now there's a far stronger and much easier system, thanks to the US Coast Guard, a Digital Selective Calling system (DSC) called "Radio 21", which is almost automatic.
What is Radio 21? Simply put, when you're in a distress situation, you simply press a button which tells the whole world (Okay, at least the world within a couple of hundred miles) who you are, where you are, that you're in trouble and that you want help, and now. All this without saying a word, simply a push of a button.
How does it work and what do you need to do?
- First you need a VHF radio that has a DSC feature. All new models do. If yours doesn't, it might be wise to upgrade now - - it's your safety we're talking about.
- Then you need to get a radio identification number, a Mobile Marine Safety Identification (MMSI). This is a unique nine- digit number that not only identifies your radio (and, thus, your boat) but also has a data base on file with your name, address, contact names and phone numbers are all stored in the Coast Guard's national search and rescue database. If you have a Federal Communications Commission radio license, you can get a MMSI number (new licenses can come with one, if you request) from the FCC. If you don't have an FCC license you can register to get a MMSI number through BoatUS. Once you have the number you program it into your radio. Having a DSC-equipped radio and not having a MMSI number programmed into your radio is like having a cell phone without having a phone number.
- The DSC-equipped radio has a special Distress button, usually red, often protected by a red pop-up cover. When you press this button the radio automatically transmits your emergency call on Channel 70, the channel reserved for digital call, only.
- To make the system really work efficiently and at its fullest capability, your DSC-equipped radio needs to be interfaced with your GPS or Loran receiver. Then, when your distress signal is transmitted it also includes your actual location - - your latitude and longitude. Now how cool is that? Location, boat name, your name, and lots more, all sent with just the push of a button.
Look for more on "Rescue 21" in a future post. In the meantime, upgrade your VHF to a DSC equipped model if you need to, and get your MMSI number, now.
It's your life, your passengers' lives, your boat. What more can I say?
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