[Psml] MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE

[Paul R. Soucy]

John,

You seem to be quite knowledgeable on this subject.  Why don't you ask the US Coast Guard for their position on Maryland DNR change in rules?  Then you can report back to everyone via PSML.

Paul
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John & Judy Gill 
  To: Paul R. Soucy 
  Cc: USPS Power Squadron Mailing List 
  Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 5:37 PM
  Subject: Re: [Psml] MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE


  Paul,


  This thread was started by me by posting the following quote from a flier we received for our 2008 dinghy registration:  The DNR (Department of Natural Resourves) MARYLAND 2008 Boating Tips 2 page flier stated 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.  Cell phone users can dial *CG for assistance.”   I interpret this published document as a "mandate and/or legal notice" to ONLY Use Channel 09 for all "hailing" purposes and to use Ch.16 ONLY for Emergency transmissions.


  Many on this list are missing the point that I was trying to communicate and that is:


  Does the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (or any state) have the Authority to "VACATE" the Federal Communications Commission and the Code of Federal Regulations?  Does the U.S. Coast Guard have that authority over another Federal agency?  If they do, then we will all have to carefully "study" the various state's laws if boating in another state from our own!


  We're not talking about boaters who carry on idle communications with another vessel, we are talking about the use of Channel 16 to "HAIL" another vessel (then switch to a working channel) and/or to call a bridge tender, lock master or a marina.


  We're also talking about the loss of Channel 09 as a Ship-to-Ship or Ship-to-Shore channel which is also available for intership, Ship and Cast general purpose calling by non-commercial vessels such as recreational boats and private coast stations.  If Ch. 09 becomes the ONLY "Hailing" channel then it can no longer be used for its original intended purpose as outlined above!


  For the record, both my wife and I have FCC Radio Operators Licenses as well as a Station License and feel that in this case that the state of Maryland has exceeded its authority by effectively VACATING Federal Communications Commission regulations and the Code of Federal Regulations. 


  John


  =========================================================


  On Dec 6, 2007, at 2:18 PM, Paul R. Soucy wrote: (SNIP)




    BTW I couldn't find anything in various Maryland sites or the United States 
    Coast Guard sites that says anything about not calling on channel 16 and for 
    monitoring on channel 9 or whatever it was that started this thread.


    Paul Soucy
    SEO Long Bay



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