[ve-l] DSC Survey

[Barclay M. Thomas]

Bob, Ron, Hal and List,

It came to my attention yesterday (Tuesday 20 June) that at least some 
of the Boater's World people (here in the So. CT area, anyway) have 
been telling customers purchasing DSC equipped radios that they "... do 
not need to register an MMSI number, just hit the 'RED' button and help 
will come anyway..." (my paraphrasing on the statement).

1) Obviously we, as VSCs, will inform the boater(s) otherwise, that 
registering an MMSI ensures the correct information, location, etc. is 
transmitted and that connection to a GPS is needed for automatic 
location transmission.

2) We can inform the managers of local Boater's World stores that they 
should instruct purchasers in the 'advisability' of registering an MMSI 
number.

The managers may, or may not, heed us as mere local 'pseudo-official' 
sources of this information, so I believe a stronger word should come 
from the 'Powers-that-be'.
...I suppose we can ask them to read the DSC Radio information 
pamphlets they have on display, but that might require a written test 
for comprehension afterward...
-- 
P/C Barclay M. Thomas, AP
Vessel Safety Check Chairman
Saybrook Power Squadron, D/1