Alaskan Sea-Duction
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2012
- Messages
- 8,079
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Alaskan Sea-Duction
- Vessel Make
- 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
It can be very challenging, AIS or no, trying to figure out which small vessel is calling from amongst many on a busiy summer day.
In BC, it is acceptable to hail the BC Ferries on the VTS channels, which vary depending the on the VTS Sector. Is it acceptable to hail the Washington ferries on the VTS channels or should the Bridge to Bridge Channel be used?
I was in a meeting with a member of the Puget Sound Pilots and he informed us that they do not look at B class AIS. His recommendation was have a good radar reflector as they did everything by radar. If there are any active pilots on here maybe they can clear up this issue.
Shame on them. Thought all with VHF radios were required to monitor 16. ... May I now avoid monitoring 16 too?
Most VHFs have dual watch for covering 2 channels, some can watch 3 channels.
Most VHFs have dual watch for covering 2 channels, some can watch 3 channels.
The regs very specifically state that a dual watch radio is not sufficient for a participating vessel. VTS is 14 south of Bush Point in Admiralty and 5a North of Bush Point and in the San Juan’s. 13 was usually your best bet calling a participating vessel as you don’t get the check in type calls directly to Seattle traffic there.
None of this is remotely new, so not sure the sailboaters in the article had much to complain about, especially since sailboaters don’t bother answering on 16 in the first place.
We used to run exploration dives in the shipping lanes with approval from cg and VTS. We were very much required to be a participating vessel on those days that we conducted diving operations and our letters of deviation always specifically called out the requirement to be able to monitor two channels simultaneously. So I always ensured I had an extra radio to meet the requirement perfectly. If you are listening or conversing on one channel, it’s absolutely critical that you don’t miss something on the other. In Admiralty inlet where you might not see past 4 miles near a corner, missing a transmission means somebody could sneak up on you.
I would have died and gone to heaven to have AIS years ago to quickly get a vessels name, or see around a corner, which is why I originally invested in a nice set of 7x50 Fujinons and keep a log of approaching vessel names so you know who you are looking for.
Yes, if you are 66 feet, you are a required participant. Ever notice that many of the yachties of old were often 62-64 feet and just under the limit? Might want to look at non-marketing measurements to get under. Even if you do have to participate, it’s not difficult. Traffic typically has their act together and it keeps you engaged anyway.
I was in a meeting with a member of the Puget Sound Pilots and he informed us that they do not look at B class AIS. His recommendation was have a good radar reflector as they did everything by radar. If there are any active pilots on here maybe they can clear up this issue.
Agree on 13 being the best starting point, especially for WA ferries, that said I was surprised to learn 2 weeks ago while off of Sidney that B.C. ferries do not monitor 13, best to reach them on VTS or 16. I was surprised but that’s what the B.C. ferries officer who I was talking to said.