Dinghy Sailing Mayday
Posted by paddy_mk@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 4 comments
Hi there guys,
I'm a dinghy sailor in the UK (laser/V3000) and I recently picked up a VHF DCS handheld radio as me and my brother like to sail off the coast and head a couple miles out. I registered with OfCom and they gave me an MMSI number as well.
If something were to happen like the daggerboad snapping or someone gets knocked out by a boom, how would I adapt my mayday call for a dinghy? I don't have a designated vessel name or can really give GPS coords within my Mayday. I could always push the DCS as well.
I've got my Coastal Skipper course so I'm not a complete novice with radio etiquette but would love your guys opinions.
M37841@reddit
Hello if you haven’t already, you should do a vhf course and get a license. It’s a legal requirement but more importantly will help you with this sort of question.
Do you mean DSC rather than DCS? If so your first move is to push that button. That sends a mayday call and your location to the coastguard. Then just follow MIPDANIO. For Identity, just call yourself small two handed dinghy as that’s what matters. For Position if you’ve got it on the radio great, but if not just use local landmarks: “we’re about a mile offshore of Milsy Head, west of Central Island” is helpful info. For Information the most important thing is are you in the boat or in the water.
kdjfsk@reddit
if your going to sail a couple miles out...in a dinghy...maybe it worth bringing GPS.
You could bring an old phone. cell service isnt needed to get GPS coords. You could also get a cheap/old automotive GPS, and put in a waterproof container.
I recently got a VHF handheld, a h891x, which has GPS built in. I figure if anyone is going to use a vhf, then gps is the first thing they need to know, and this one displays it right on the screen, so your coords are right there literally in the palm of your hand when you need it. This also gives the radio some really basic navigation capabilities. No charts, but you can tag waypoints, and route to them and even program routes. It has a MOB feature. also a logger which you can export data and the overlay the path you went on a map.
Oatbagtime@reddit
I think both your scenarios don’t warrant a mayday - perhaps a pan pan would be more appropriate. Mayday if the unconscious person is in the water.
Just describe your vessel? Blue laser dinghy or whatever. Approximate your position to the best of your knowledge.
I never brought a VHF when I sailed dinghys but I also always stayed in sight of land.
paddy_mk@reddit (OP)
Yeah maybe not a full mayday but if one were needed. I thought so, I'll never be too far from the slipway or whatever harbour I was close to.