Essential Marine Radio knowledge required for all skippers and crew

by Colin Preston on 24 Jun 2010
About to again compete in the SSANZ two handed series recently conjured up the exhilarating memories of our 2008 bow burying kite ride to Gannet Rock in 30kt winds, as well as the ‘what ifs'. The ability to use the VHF radio if tragedy struck is a very real concern not only for the two of us but also our friends and family plus the other competitors and boats on the water if assistance is needed.

As VHF and SSB radio has still not been superseded by any better technology in this century of ‘tweets', ‘IM's' and mobile phones, it is destined to remain the most reliable contact tool on the water. That is not to say that Satellite phones and mobiles couldn't be used, but ONLY as a backup to VHF because only one person can hear your call versus multiple boats in your area. Therefore as communication is one of the top four causes of marine incidents, gaining the skills to operate a VHF radio should not be overlooked by all boaters.

Not having learnt this old, but efficient, technology to enable communication on the water was a bit un-nerving if called upon to suddenly have an urgent need to make a call. So I enrolled on an in-class Marine VHF Operator Qualification (MVOQ) and Maritime Restricted Operators Certificate (MROC) course with Coastguard Boating Education, with a home study version also available. This covers VHF and SSB radio use including the relevant tests to obtain the MVOQ and the MROC. The MVOQ is all that is required for coastal boating around NZ, with two students also choosing to study the MROC as well.

The need to learn the correct use of a VHF radio is not limited to yacht race competitors and the mix of the 12 students assembled in the Rangitoto College classroom re-affirmed this. Three YMCA trainers required the MVOQ as part of their employment; one kayaker wanted the knowledge for safety during his solo excursions; one for reassurance when boating with their husband; some had just purchased a boat while others wanted the knowledge following joining a boat as crew.

While anyone can use a VHF radio in an emergency/distress situation it is important to learn the protocols to follow, correct frequency use as well as what to do when you hear another boat's Mayday call. The class gets to practice the call procedures with some handheld VHF radios as well as the course workbook and Maritime NZ Radio Handbook being provided. Our trainer, Jane Adams, provided a great learning environment ensuring that all questions were answered which was backed up by her four years work as a Coastguard volunteer.

All students passed the 30 minute written assessment and five minute verbal assessment to later receive their qualification certificates in the mail. This included knowing the phonetic alphabet and some technical VHF terms, which they had been taught over the three nights at Rangitoto College.

Some of their comments:
• Jane was friendly and good at retaining attendees' interest, with some anecdote examples to add relevance to course material.
• Keep up the good work
• The content of the course was good

A VHF radio is the only piece of safety gear on a boat that can not only save that vessels crew but also the crew of another vessel, even when they are many miles apart. So if you or your crew does not know how to correctly use a VHF radio, it is in the interests of all on board as well as all other boat crews sharing the water with you, that they learn its correct use.

I now look forward to the first SSANZ race on 3rd July armed with this knowledge. I just hope I don't need to use it in a distress situation for us or any other competitors.

Check out Coastguard Boating Educations MVOQ (Marine VHF Operators Qualification) course and their many other courses at www.cbes.org.nz

For more information on other courses offered by Coastguard Boating Education download Coastguard Boating Educations brochure or visit their website www.cbes.org.nz