GL: geographic references

[Rich Gano]

Using the light list to find a location referenced on VHF by a tow would
seem to be a real pain in the rear place while attending to the other
important aspects of trawlering through an unfamiliar area.  Just what I
need, another pile of paper to riffle through!  A sectionalized and
alphabetized list MIGHT be useful.

In crowded areas of the waterways, you can have a real problem getting the
right communication conveyed to the right tow or other vessel unless using
mile mark reference to the nearest tenth OR a very definite reference to a
specific point in the waterway such as "off the grain loading pier with the
green tower."

I do not routinely call to approaching tows in the rivers and waterways
unless I feel it is necessary because it is usually obvious which way we are
both intending to pass (port-to-port).

BTW, I NEVER NEVER overtake a tow in a river/waterway without VHF
concurrence.

In the really lonely stretches, when a call is necessary to an approaching
tow, I may simply call (without any reference to geo-position whatsoever)
saying something like, "This is the northbound pleasure vessel, and I'll go
port-to-port with you, if you agree."  Invariably, I'll get a
semi-intelligible response agreeing to my proposal because total lack of any
other VHF chatter for hours indicates we are pretty much the only folks
around.  If no response is forthcoming, I'll repeat the proposal with a
geo-reference realizing that if no response was obtained from the first
call, is likely no response is coming at all.

Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42 #295)
Southport, FL