[Psml] MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE

[Brian Becker]

While this is a worthy discussion, would that we had this much interest
in the maintenance of membership in our United States Power SquadronsR.
Perhaps with as much in depth analysis,  someone could begin to develop
a solution.
 
Happy Holidays to all.
b
 
-----Original Message-----
From: psml-bounces at usps.org [mailto:psml-bounces at usps.org] On Behalf Of
Paul R. Soucy
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:23 PM
To: jbbecker at comcast.net
Cc: USPS Power Squadron Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Psml] MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE
 
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  <mailto:twojscom at quadnet.net> & Judy Gill 
To: Paul R. Soucy <mailto:psoucy at sc.rr.com>  
Cc: USPS Power Squadron Mailing <mailto:psml at usps.org>  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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