T&T: Log rules

[Bob Austin]

>From the Current Coast Guard Navigation sight:
United States Radio Watchkeeping Regulations
U.S. recreational vessels not required to carry radios
Vessels not required to carry a marine radio (e.g. recreational vessels less
than 20m length), but which voluntarily carry a radio, must maintain a watch
on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radio is operating and not being used
to communicate.


Source: FCC 47 CFR 80.310



Vessels 20m in length and greater
Every power-driven vessel of 20m length or greater, every vessel of 100 tons
and upward carrying one or more passengers for hire, every towing vessel of 26
ft length or greater, and every dredge and floating plant near a channel or
fairway, must maintain a watch on both VHF channels 13 (156.650 MHz) and 16
(156.800 MHz) while the vessel is underway. Persons meeting this requirement
must be capable of speaking the English language. Sequential monitoring
techniques (scanners) alone cannot be used to meet this requirement; two
radios, or one radio with two receivers, are required. Vessels operating on
the lower Mississippi River must keep a listening watch on VHF channel 67
(156.375 MHz) in place of channel 13.

These rules apply to all foreign vessels, recreational vessels, federal
government and military vessels as well as commercial vessels, operating
within U.S. territorial waters. These rules also apply to vessels on the Great
Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters.

All ships, including foreign ships, are required to carry VHF radios capable
of tuning to the following U.S. national channels:

Channel        Frequency           Description

  05A          156.250 MHz         VTS (required only in Puget
                                   Sound)
  22A          157.100 MHz         US-wide.  CG liaison and
                                   maritime safety broadcasts.
Ships participating in a vessel traffic service area must also keep watch on
the VTS radio channel designated for that area. Such ships may discontinue
their watch on VHF channel 16 while in the VTS area. Ships operating only with
VHF handheld bridge-to-bridge radio equipment are not required to keep watch
on channel 16. Ships with digital selective calling-equipped VHF radios
keeping watch on channel 70 in a GMDSS Sea Area A1 also may discontinue their
watch on channel 16.

FCC: 47 CFR 80.148, 80.308-309
USCG: 33 CFR 26
NTIA: NTIA Manual Chapter 8.2.29.7



We carry two full power radios, which are on at all times (Channel 16 and 13,
unless talking on a ship to ship or emergency channels).  Technically Paul is
correct, but prudance dictates that you do moniter appropiate channels.  If
you are involved in a distress or a problem, it would be prudent to keep a
record in the ship's log or radio log.  We also carry two hand held VHF radios
(water proof).

We also keep a ships log for our own legal purposes.  At one point a copy of
this log saved me over $20,000 in taxes.

I will be putting AIS on the new boat also.  This appears to be an excellent
safety tool, and will allow you to identify commercial craft so you can call
them by name on the radio, when necessary.

Bob Austin