T&T: Mayday responding

[Peter Bennett]

Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 1:12:02 PM, Todd wrote:

TM> In response to Marin's comments on the use of landmarks versus lat & lon:

TM> I couldn't agree more.  It makes sense to me to broadcast the lat & lon
TM> followed by "in vicinity of _____."

TM> I will pass this up the chain at every opportunity.

TM> Todd Mains

I teach the Marine Radio Operator course for Vancouver Power Squadron,
and always say that position should first be given as a verbal description
relative to known landmarks, possibly mentioning that a GPS position
is available, or giving the Lat/Long when CG or rescuer asks for it.

Even a position report of "half way between Point Grey and Silva Bay" (two
well-known points around here, about 20 mi apart) will quickly allow
most of us to determine whether we can ignore the situation, or should
offer assistance.

I usually recount a story from long ago, before CCG got chart
plotters:

A friend had a new Loran-C (I said it was long ago...), and ran over a
log, damaging the rudder of his sailboat.  As he was not in immediate
danger, he made a "Pan Pan" call, and gave is position as Lat/Long.
The Coast Guard came back and asked "Where is that, exactly", to which
my friend replied "about a half mile west of Point Atkinson" (a
prominent point at the entrance to Vancouver Harbour). the CG thanked
him, and another club member reported he was close by and could
assist.

-- 
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI    Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Ennos 31 "Honeycomb"
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter 
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca