[Psml] MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE

[mark nolan]

John,

I do not agree with your interpretation of the DNR message.  They are not 
telling boaters to  stop monitoring channel 16.  Nor are they asking boaters 
to monitor channel 9 instead of channel 16.  They are asking boaters to 
avoid calling other boats on channel 16.  You have greatly over reacted to a 
reasonable suggestion from DNR.

Mark Nolan
Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John & Judy Gill" <twojscom at quadnet.net>
To: "mark" <moonriver at ccconline.net>
Cc: "United States Power Squadrons Mailing List" <psml at usps.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 9:15 PM
Subject: [Psml] MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE


MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE

We recently received a 2008 Boating Tips 2 page flier with our dinghy
registration and noted on page 2 under VHF FM MARINE CHANNEL 16 the
following:  “The primary marine distress frequency is monitored
continuously by the U.S. Coast Guard.  Please keep Channel 16 clear
-- someone's life may depend on it!  Use Channel 9 for non-emergency
hailing and then switch to another working channel for routine
conversation.”

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (marine police) is
apparently advocating that mariners Only monitor Channel 9 and use it
for hailing purposes.  And, use Channel 16 ONLY for May Day, Pan Pan
and Security calls.  Not monitor Channel 16 or use it for "Hailing"
purposes.  This means that Maryland Natural Resources Marine Police
is effectively eliminating the Federal Communications Commission
requirement for mariners to Monitor Channel 16 when their radios are on.

This means that May Day, Pan Pan and Security calls on Channel 16 to
the Coast Guard only (only ones listening) may not be rebroadcast on
Channel 9 (there is no requirement for the USCG to do so).  This in
turn means that pleasure craft and watermen may not hear a call for
assistance by other vessels and they will have to wait for the Coast
Guard to come, or send commercial assistance?  This seems like a very
dangerous recommendation or law and could delay a good samaritans’
help or rescue, particularly those of USCGAux or USPS.  It is also
doubtful whether the MD. DNR Marine Police or USCG has the authority
to negate FCC CFR's.

This same practice was tried on Lake Michigan back in 2003 and
resulted in several “serious incidents” and from what I later
learned, caused the Coast Guard to recind non monitoring of Channel
16 vs Channel 9 there.

Yours in Safe Boating,
D/Lt John Gill, AP (Pennsway, D/5)


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