Lesson 4 - Getting Help
VHF Radio - Emergency use:
The VHF radio has Channel 16 reserved for emergencies and making contact to another station (yacht or coastguard) We offer a 3 hour separate course ($65.00 Thursday evenings)and radio licence for the full usage & emergency drill. Here are the basics. The example is for a man overboard in rough conditions and you are suspicious he is injured.
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- Locate VHF radio, select CH 16, turn up volume & adjust squelch
- Press transmit button ' MAYDAY,MAYDAY,MAYDAY this is (vessel name) Good Point, Good Point, Good Point (let go of button to receive)
- MAYDAY, MY POSITION IS (give your GPS latitude and longitude or compass bearing from a well known object) We are 500 metres West from the Diamond Harbour wharf
- I AM (state problem such as on fire, sinking, etc) WITH (number of) PERSONS ON BOARD, I REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE i.e. I require assistance. Man overboard, possibly injured, I am a white 30ft sailing vessel
- Remain in contact with the coastguard
- If you don't hear a response after listening for a few seconds repeat this procedure, if you are our of VHF radio coverage then still try, another vessel may be nearly to help or relay on the Mayday
- If you hear a Mayday and you here no response from the coastguard then write down the message and relay the information using MAYDAY RELAY
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Distress flares on Good Point - Review
Good Point has 3 different distress flares for different situations. Here is a summary on their usage. Contact us if you want a practical demonstration (coastguard and club events do this)
Smoke Floats
- Burns for approx 4 minutes
- Daytime use
- Designed to be submerged in water
- Pull cord operation
- Check out this detailed articles & practical exercise
Rocket Flares
Handheld flares
- Use day(poor) or night(very good)
- Hold over the side of the vessel
- Can get hot quickly
- Always read instructions
- Check out this detailed articles & practical exercise