Cell Phone or VHF Radio?

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

According to researchers, sometime late last year, the number of people living in households with one or more cell phones exceeded that of people living in a household with a landline. The primary reason for this of course is ease of use, versatility and moreover, mobility.  As cell phones improve in reliability they may far exceed and ultimately replace landlines altogether.

Is it any wonder that more and more boaters are using their cell phones instead of their VHF to relay urgent messages regarding the immediate safety of a vessel or crew member?  The following article, courtesy of the Coast Guard Consumer Affairs and Analysis Branch, outlines why the VHF is the most resourceful form of communication on the water, especially in an emergency.

Cell Phone vs. VHF Radio

The Coast Guard does not advocate cell phones as a substitute for the regular maritime radio distress and safety systems recognized by the Federal Communications Commission and the International Radio Regulations -- particularly VHF maritime radio. However, cell phones can have a place on board as an added measure of safety.

CELL PHONE LIMITATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY

Cell phones generally cannot provide ship to ship safety communications or communications with rescue vessels. If you make a distress call on a cell phone, only the one party you call will be able to hear you.

Most cell phones are designed for a land-based service. Their coverage offshore is limited, and may change without notice. Most everyone has experienced communications out to about 25 miles at times. Yet at other times they could not get through to a land based phone inside of 10 miles from shore. This might well create a communications problem in the event of an emergency at sea.

Locating a cell caller is hard to do. If you don't know precisely where you are, the Coast Guard will have difficulty finding your location on the water.

Note: In some areas, however, cell providers have established a special code (*CG) which, if you are in range, will connect you directly to a Coast Guard Operations Center. This service may only work with the carrier to which you have subscribed.

CELL/VHF MARINE RADIO COMPARISON

Cell phones do provide the convenience of simple, easy-to-use, inexpensive, private and generally reliable telephone service to home, office, automobile or other locations. Placing a shore-to-ship call to someone with a cell telephone is especially convenient. However, you usually cannot use your cell phone outside the United States, and you may need a special agreement with your carrier to use it outside that carrier's local service area.

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VHF marine radios were designed with safety in mind. If you are in distress, calls can be received not only by the Coast Guard but by ships which may be in position to give immediate assistance. A VHF marine radio also helps ensure that storm warnings and other urgent marine information broadcasts are received. The Coast Guard announces these broadcasts on VHF channel 16. Timely receipt of such information may save your life. Additionally, your VHF marine radio can be used anywhere in the United States or around the world.

On VHF radios, however, conversations are not private and individual boats cannot be assigned a personal phone number. If you are expecting a call, channel 16 or the marine operator's working channel must be continually monitored.

SHOULD YOU RELY ON A CELL PHONE EXCLUSIVELY?

Actually there is no comparison between cell phones and VHF marine radio. They normally provide different services. The cell phone is best used for what it is, an on-board telephone -- a link with shore-based telephones. A VHF marine radio is intended for communication with other ships or marine installations -- and a powerful ally in time of emergency. If you have a cell telephone, by all means take it aboard. If you are boating very far off shore, a cell phone is no substitute for a VHF radio. But, if you are within cell range, it may provide an additional means of communication.

Courtesy of the Coast Guard Consumer Affairs and Analysis Branch

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

 

Example of Boat Docking Finesse!

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill


As I pointed out in my last post, "A Boater's Worst Fear", docking  a boat can cause a great deal of anxiety and trepidation to inexperienced boaters.  In the video below, "Coming Home With Care" a seasoned and practiced mariner shows how it's done with ease, confidence and finesse.


Coming Home With Care



William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

A Boater's Worst Fear - Docking!

 

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Next to fire, sinking and drowning you'll find docking a boat a major cause of apprehension and sometimes absolute, complete and utter fear, especially for new boaters.  I've heard affirmations such as, "I'll drive the boat, but please, please don't make me dock it!"  Some owners won't even take their boats out if the wind is blowing over 5 knots; they become "dock sitters" and remain" landlubbers". 

To be sure, docking a boat requires skill and finesse, especially in a stiff breeze and accompanying swift current.  Most overcome their trepidation with practice and experience.  This post addresses the tentativeness about docking we have all experienced at some time in our boating experience.  The video reminds us that docking a boat is never as easy as it looks to the uninitiated; the article by Tab Hauser how we can overcome lack of confidence with determination, daring and drill.

Stay tuned.  In my next post, I'll show you what artful docking looks like...  

Tab Hauser of Boating Times magazine, Long Island is one of many who has experienced the boat docking jitters. Here he offers a relatable story and some thoughtful advice.

In my first season as a boat owner, I found that after a perfect, stress-free outing with friends, I’d become anxious once we neared the marina. My anxiety arose because my lightweight 35’ Carver was so tall that it mimicked a sail in any wind. My slip was fairly narrow to my starboard side (less than four feet of room for error) while a consistent summer southerly breeze battled me at my beam. I envied those with a north side slip where the breeze carried them in.

I learned that I was not alone in experiencing docking jitters; many boaters with varying years of experience avoided venturing out in breezy conditions for fear of playing bumper boats in a tight marina. Capt. Ken Lavin saw the worst of it when he took a day off work to test out a boat he intended to buy. When he got to the marina, the owner would not take it out, despite the beautiful weather, because the winds were 5 to 7 knots and he would not dock it. (Ken was furious about this, but understood why there were low hours on the motors).

What Ken’s seller lacked was confidence, and the key to gaining docking confidence is practice. To overcome my skills deficit, I sat at the helm with the dual throttle and transmission shifts and just practiced in place.  Then I would take the boat out during the week when the marina was quiet and no one was staring, and run through docking maneuvers (when I upgraded to my 46′ Viking, I practiced early in the season on empty slips, docking stern in on both sides without fear of damaging other boats).  I then ventured out in a prevailing wind coming from the opposite direction.   As I practiced, I learned how tightly my boat could pivot; I practiced without the bow thruster, only using it as a helper at the end.  I found that the wheel is of no use at slow speeds with a twin screw, and all steering is done using throttle controls.

The general rule is “slow is good,” as you shouldn’t come in any faster than you want to hit the dock. However, there are exceptions, such as docking in wind or against a current. On our first big cruise, I was forced outside my comfort zone when the dockmaster told me to tie up on a slip that had a four-knot tide with a 15 mph wind in the same direction. I practically pleaded to stay at the outer gas dock for the night, but he would not allow it!   To get into the channel between the docks as the tide and wind pushed me on my port side, I had to keep the boat very close to the slips on the left and not be pushed into the boats aligned on the right.  As a novice boater, I was instructed to go slow, but my instincts told me that I would drift off course. So I summoned up my courage and goosed the throttle to keep on track rather than blow to my starboard. When I got in position, I did a hard tap on reverse starboard while doing the same forward to port, spinning me fast. Then, with another hard tap on both reverse throttles, I was in! I appreciated the hooting and accolades from the extra dockhands sent to help, and as they cleated the boat, I understood why there are bars in marinas.

That memorable situation showed me that the only way to gain boating experience is to get into difficult situations and learn to master them. Docking a boat can bring out the worst or best in any captain. With time and a willingness to practice, I eventually overcame my unease about being mocked at the dock and now look forward to seeing how close I can get to the side of the dock while reversing. While I nail it most times, I still totally blow it on an odd occasion. Of course, that is when there is no wind and everyone on the dock is watching!

Story & Photos by Tab Hauser of Boating Times, Long Island 

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. 

Checklist for Overnight Boaters

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

In the June 26 post on the What Is It About Boating website,  Boat Camping Overnight "On The Hook"  I entertained the reasons why my wife and I enjoy "sleepovers" on our boat as much as we do.  In the post I enumerated some of the things you might want to consider before shoving off.  The US Coast Guard Auxillary has prepared a comprehensive checklist for overnight boat trips which will make preparation a tad more organized and simple.  I hope you find this tool useful.

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FOOD

Bring enough food for the amount of days you will be staying. The more you bring already cooked or ready to eat, the less you will have to cook and the less you will have to clean. Some suggestions are:

Breakfast Ideas
o Cereal mini-boxes
o Pastries or donuts
o Instant coffee, tea, hot chocolate mix
o Milk or creamer in a thermos
o Sugar/sweetener

Lunch Ideas
o Pre-made sandwiches or…
o Bread
o Cold cuts
o Cheeses
o Peanut butter & jelly
o Margarine tub
o Mayonnaise & mustard packets (saved from fast food restaurants)
o Fruits, nuts, chips, cookies

Suppertime Ideas
o Hot dogs & buns
o Hamburgers & buns
o Relish & ketchup packets (saved from fast food restaurants)
o Pre-cooked chicken
o Ready-made pasta dishes
o Veggies and onions for grilling
o Salt, pepper, garlic, or other seasonings

Cooking Supplies
o Utensils, napkins, plates, cups, cereal bowls, coffee mugs, etc.
o BBQ grill, charcoal, lighter
o Fuel for stove
o Can opener
o Paper towels
o Dish sponge or cloth
o Dish towels
o Garbage bags, plastic shopping bags
o BBQ spatula or tongs
o Zipable storage bags
o Tin foil roll

BEVERAGES
The rule of thumb for water is one gallon per person per day. It’s always recommended to bring extra water and other drinks, especially on hot days. You can’t have too much water. Make sure you bring enough ice or means of chilling water to last the number of days you will be there.

o Frozen bottled water (These will double as ice in the cooler and will melt while being used for drinking, thus making a refreshingly cold drink on hot days.)
o Canned sodas (caffeinated drinks cause the body to feel hotter in hot weather)
o Juice boxes
o Canned lemonade

SHELTER & SHORE
o Even if your boat has shade, bring additional shade for the shore
o Chairs for the beach
o Beach blanket
o Books, games, music
o Towels
o Cooler
o Small portable table

CLOTHING
o Clothes for normal wear and extra in case of wetness or dirt
o Full brim hat or sun visor
o Light long-sleeved shirt and long pants as protection from dusk-time bugs
o Underwear
o Swim wear
o Sweat-suits for chilly nights
o Sweater or windbreaker jacket
o Rain gear
o Sneakers, deck shoes or sandals

TOILETRIES
o Biodegradable camping soap
o Toilet paper
o Shampoo
o Other normal travel toiletries
o Feminine products
o Tissues

NIGHTY-NIGHT
o Travel alarm
o Sheets & blankets or sleeping bags
o Pillows

FIRST AID
o Band-aids for boo-boos
o Burn ointment
o Antiseptic ointment
o Antihistamine cream
o Lip balm
o Solar protection
o Mosquito repellent
o Sunglasses
o Ibuprophen or other headache remedy
o First Aid kit

MISCELLENEOUS

o Scissors

o Tool kit

o Flashlights

o Extra AA batteries

o Vitamins

o Clean-up rags/towels

o Camera with fresh batteries

o Books, magazines, safe boating manual to review

o Cell phones with chargers/adapters

o Fishing gear

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

Saving Space On Your Boat

Article by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

This past weekend my wife and I had the occasion to get out of the 6 o'clock blazing sun on our dock neighbor's 30 foot express cruiser by taking temporary refuge in their cabin.  Everything was impeccably kempt and orderly, comfortable and accommodating with small mounted flat screen TV, bright work brass matching barometer and clock, planked wood floors and wood grain appointments.  It was as inviting as the company, as comfortable as our living room at home, only it was on our neighbor's boat.

It's not the only boat on the dock that rivals this scenario, there are others and my wife felt betrayed by all the "stuff" we squeeze into a comparable space in the name of convenience and fulfilling the challenge of meeting any and every possible contingency.  I reminded her that we are "boat campers" and often spend several or more days "on the hook"; we're not day boaters very often, where most of one's creature needs can be met at the marina or a drive to a nearby store or eatery.  So, we're different in that way, we load up our boat and try as best we can to keep her shipshape, whatever that really means.

I am of the opinion there are two types of boaters, minimalists and immoderates.  In my mind a minimalist believes in carrying the bare minimum of what is necessary, whereas an immoderate believe just the opposite.  My wife and I happen to be of the immoderate variety. Some of my favorite neighbors are minimalists, but either way there are boating essentials required by law; you can't escape them lest you be found in contempt or downright foolish.  You know what they are: life jackets, throwable flotation device, fire extinguisher, visual distress signals, navigation lights, horn or whistle, registration papers and flame arrestor. 

Then, there are things I would never do without, "helpful boating gear":  the tool kit, marine radio, compass, GPS, anchors, mooring lines, sunscreen and water.  A first aid kit comes in handy for the occasional cuts, bruises, bug bites and slivers as does a portable bilge pump and a boat hook.  Water is essential for any boating trip and we always have high protein, non perishable snacks that might tide us over should there be a boating delay until we can get help when let's say, we can't get our engine started and we need a jump or a tow.

If you're a minimalist you needn't read any further, you've probably found a space on your boat for the essentials and "the helpful boating gear".  If you're not and you pack towels, swimming rafts, fishing gear, extra clothing, bedding, soft drinks and all those other basic fun and comfort essentials not enumerated here, like food and a cell phone you might want to read further unless you've got all this covered.

For us, the most utilized space for larger items is under the berth in the bedroom or forward cabin.  Here we can stow our extra cushions, bedding, towels, water and water toys.  Below the seat storage is an obvious choice for storage on any boat, but you can keep items organized and dry by storing them in plastic storage containers (like those made by Rubbermaid and Tupperware) where you can pack your spare batteries, repair and first aid kits. 

Don't forget below decks either.  If you have air conditioning, there's often enough space to accommodate cleaning and other boat maintenance supplies.  If you're a fisherman, not fishing and have a live well aboard you might consider using it as temporary storage.

Side pocket storage is a "no brainer" just remember to close the sliders if you have them so the cabin looks less cluttered.  Mentally designate each side pocket for an assigned function, e.g., kitchen supplies, food, toiletries, emergency, cleaning, personal or even miscellaneous for things like pens and pencils, puzzles and games.  I suggest if you chose not to do this you'll have a hard time finding those spare sunglasses you'll need when the ones you are wearing are sinking in 30 feet of water.

Other great space saving ideas include using plastic shower suction cups that are equipped with clips, racks and caddies to hold anything from soap, tooth paste and hand sanitizer to a clip to hang your cap or visor.  Small hammock cargo nets are also great for accommodating food, snacks and toys.

For clothes and linens keep in mind folding takes up more space than rolling.  You'll save more space than you might think possible rolling and the items will not be in any worse shape than if you had folded, I promise (that is, if you're a neat, not a  sloppy roller). Also consider getting a vacuum packer to remove air from vacuum pack bags to compress them and keep them dry. 

Instead of carrying soft drinks in cans or bottles, you can bring refillable water bottles and make iced tea, Gatorade or Tang from a powdered mix.  The same applies with some foods.  Buy dehydrated grains, vegetables, pastas, dried potatoes, etc.  It's a big space saver and comes in handy in a pinch.  Think dried fruit, granola bars, Wheat Thins, string cheese, tuna in a pouch rather than a can.

There are many ways to keep an orderly boat and I'm sure you've probably got some other ideas I haven't touched on here.  Space is at a premium on a boat, it just takes a little imagination and planning, a few tricks and accessories to find the best place and ways to keep it all.  We immoderates may have a lot of "stuff" and even though the minimalists may not get it, we can coexist in both camps, how much better is that?

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

Bill Dance Fishing Tips and Video Bloopers!

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Bill Dance, one of the world's most famous pro fisherman has won countless bass fishing tournaments over the years.  In 1968 he started a TV show, Bill Dance Outdoors to promote a lure and his show has grown to be hugely popular among anglers and outdoorsman.  Besides his TV show, he's written several books on fishing, does how-to-seminars, tackle endorsements and has his own magazine.

Bill has a passion for fishing and in this outtake video he shares some useful fishing tips and teaches by example what not to do with rod, reel, tackle box and boat.

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

Olympic Sailing-A Day with the Swiss Team

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

The London 2012 Olympics are about to begin with a bang with the opening ceremonies scheduled for Friday, July 27.  One of the most exciting events for boaters, especially for sailing enthusiasts are the Men's Finn Races.

The races are scheduled to be held in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbor in Dorset on the south coast of England where you'll find some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK, with great facilities on land to match.  

The sailing craft used in the 2012 Olympics is called a Finn,a single handed cat rigged Olympic class sailing dinghy.  It's been used in every summer Olympics since 1952.  Finn Race 1 begins July 29, 2012 with races scheduled every day concluding with the Medal Race on August  5, 2012. Here are a few interesting details about the craft. 

Current Specifications for the Finn 

Crew	1
LOA	4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
LWL	4.34 m (14 ft 3 in)
Beam	1.47 m (4 ft 10 in)
Draft	0.17 m (6.7 in)
Hull weight	145 kg (320 lb)
Mast height	6.66 m (21 ft 10 in)
Mainsail area	10.6 m2 (114 sq ft)

Winning is about how you prepare your equipment, how you read the wind, the waves and how you position yourself in relation to the other competitors your are racing against.  There's no luck involved.  It's about commitment, hard work and experience.  Here's a clip of the Swiss Olympic team which will give you a glimpse of how Olympic sailors train to win.

Double click on the screen to enlarge and enhance to video.

A day with the Swiss Sailing Team from JUERGKAUFMANN.COM on Vimeo.

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. 

You can visit his website here.