VHF Marine Radio - The Basics

VHF radios are essential to all boaters. This radio could potentially save your life or help you save the life of another. VHF radios are used for emergency and non-emergency situations, however, they are also used to alert boaters of information on the water – be it an approaching storm or a sinking vessel.

There are two main channels you’ll need to remember when on your boat -- channel 16 and channel 9 (note: channel 9 is only available in waters off of the northeastern shore—New York, Northern New Jersey, and New England). These channels are used for emergency and non-emergency calls. All boaters are required to keep a constant watch on channel 16. Many boaters simply turn their radios off because they wish not to listen to static, etc. -- this is a major issue. Your radio should remain on and turned up at all times. There have been many situations where boaters did not have their radios on and as a consequence, were not aware and could not out run storms, or did not know about a sinking vessel close to them. In both situations, casualties could have been prevented if the captain would have simply left their VHF radio on.

Radio channels 9 & 16 may be used to hail other vessels or to make the first initial contact with a marina or restaurant when wondering where to tie your boat up when coming into dock. However, you’ll need to switch over to another channel once you make contact with your party so that you’re not jamming up the main channels. At no point should you use your radio as a ‘telephone’ to chit-chat with other boaters or someone on shore.

Channels 6, 13, and 22A are also important channels for boaters to remember.

• Channel 6 is reserved for intership safety use and is mainly used during search and rescue operations.
• Channel 22A is reserved for communications with the Coast Guard and should be for Coast Guard use only (not open to other vessels). This channel is used by the US Coast Guard when relaying marine information broadcasts. Since not everyone is interested in these broadcasts, the US Coast Guard will make their first initial contact on channel 16, letting all boaters know that they will make their announcement (that may or may not be important to each boater) on channel 22A, and that interested boaters should switch over to that channel immediately for more info. 
• Channel 13 is for navigational use between vessels. Large vessels us channel 13 (no need to use channel 16 for this situation first, channel 13 is both a calling and working channel) when relaying their intentions to one another and when they arrive at bridges and locks. Channel 13 is restricted to 1 watt, so be sure to switch your radio to low power when using this channel.

Channels 68, 69, 71, 72, 78A are all used as “working” stations and are available for you to use at any time (as long as no one else is using them) when you switch your conversation over from channel 9 or 16.



For a complete listing of all boating channels (including those in international waters), click here.

If you are trying to communicate with a boat that is nearby, make sure you set your radio on low power so that your signal will not carry further than it needs to. If you’re trying to communicate with a boat or location that is further away, you can use high power. In all situations, use kind language and no profanity. Vulgar language is illegal and can also offend other boaters, especially those with small children.

Now that you know the important radio channels, you may be wondering, “how on earth do I use this thing?!” The basics -- be sure to adjust the "Squelch" control as low as possible so that you don’t hear static or ‘white noise’. In order to make a call, hold the button on the microphone down, speak, and then release to hear the other boat or location’s reply.

Believe it or not, there IS a proper way of calling another vessel or on shore location.

1. First of all, make sure you are making your first contact on either channel 16 or channel 9. You’ll also want to listen in for a couple of minutes to make sure the channel is not tied up with another conversation.
2. Say the name of the vessel or location that you’re calling three times. Ex: Pier 33, Pier 33, Pier 33.
3. The words "THIS IS", spoken once, and then the name of your vessel, also spoken once. Ex: THIS IS the motor vessel (insert name of vessel)
4. Say the word "OVER", and then await the station being called to reply.
5. The station will reply in the same manner that you called them. You should then designate a new channel to switch over to and continue the conversation. Once establish, speak the word "OVER". Ex: Please switch and listen to channel 68, OVER
6. Wait for the station to confirm the channel. They will then say “OVER” and you’ll both need to switch over to the new channel and continue your conversation by first contacting them in the same way as you initially did, but this time, on your designated channel.

Always move your conversations to a different channel in a non-emergency situation. If you are using channel 16, no one else can use it until you are off of that channel, which means any emergencies that need to be called in will have to wait.

In a distress and emergency situation, your call will be very similar to a non-emergency call, but much more complex. However, if the only thing you have time to say is MAYDAY, the name of your vessel, and what type of distress you’re in, that is fine as well. The key is that you give enough information so that the Coast Guard knows how to best respond to your call. You’ll need to stay by the radio and repeat this call periodically until you receive a response. You should also stay close to your radio incase more information is needed once someone replies to your call.

• First, make sure you’re on channel 16.
• Say “MAY DAY”, spoken three times
• Speak the words “THIS IS”, once
• Proceed to say your vessel name (spoken three times) 
• Give the position of your vessel by latitude and longitude or by bearing (true or magnetic) and the distance to a well known landmark which will help a responding station located your vessel. Be sure to include all vessel movement such as course, speed and destination.
• Speak what the nature of your distress is (sinking, fire, etc.), and the kind of help you require.
• Speak the number of people on board.
• Give any other information which might help in the rescue, such as length or tonnage of vessel, the type of vessel, the number of people onboard needing medical attention, color of the vessel, etc.
• The word “OVER”, spoken once. 

If you are potentially in distress but are currently not yet in distress, then you can say “Pan-Pan” (pronounced “Pahn”) instead of “Mayday”. This should be used when referring to a controllable leak in your boat or something that is most likely fixable, but you may want to alert someone in case you do eventually need help or incase your situation goes bad.

If you hear a distress call in your area, you are required to respond to it. If you hear a distress call that is not in your vicinity, but that you could potentially get to, then wait several minutes to see if there are other boaters in the area that respond (if there are even any boaters in that area). If they do not respond, you are required to respond.

In summary:

• Always make sure you keep your conversations short and to the point when using a channel. Keep in mind that you may not be the only person who needs to use that particular channel.
• In non-emergency situations, make sure you switch over to a working channel (as listed above) once you make initial contact on channel 9 or 16. 
• Remember that ALL radio conversations are public and anyone on that channel can hear your conversation, including young children. Radios are not to be used for ‘chit-chat’.
• Always speak slowly and clearly so that the responding station can understand you.
• The more information you can provide when speaking with another vessel or the coast guard, the better.
• When speaking to a vessel nearby, switch your radio to low power. When speaking to a vessel further away, you may use high power.
• Always have your radio turned on and turned up. You never know when you or someone else may need information or help.

Have you even used your VHF Marine Radio? Let us know in the comments below.

Steelheaders Tournament Underway

Day 1 on the Scoreboard Now - Day 2 Fishing Underway!

The 2012 Schu’s Summer Challenge kicked-off on Friday May 11 with a great day for fishing – and concluded with some great catches.

Weather was ideal and the fleet dropped lines beginning at 6:45. The first boats began weighing in with their limits around 11 AM and fishing concluded at 1 PM. Southwest Michigan Steelheaders volunteers did an outstanding job landing the arriving boats at the weigh-in station at Pier 33’s west marina and all 52 Pro & Am boats were accounted for and scored by about 2 PM.

Boats fishing in the Pro Division weigh the best 12 out of the first 15 legal-sized fish boated. Amateurs weigh 5 and each division also awards prizes for Big Fish.

On the Amateur side, Utopia captained by Thomas Peterson is atop the standings with 112.57 Total Points and leads the Amateur Big Fish competition at 15.16 pounds. Utopia is followed by Reelbucks (106.11), Nail Bender Too (105.12), The Viking (103.04) and Trophy (99.63).

See all Amateur standings, updated live during Saturday’s weigh-in: www.pier33.com/am.

Big Fish - 21 Pound Laker

The Pros are tightly bunched, but the early lead established by Phoenix held-up thru out the rest of Friday’s weigh-in. The top 10 boats all posted over 200 points (10 points per fish, 1 point per pound). Phoenix, captained by Arnie Arredondo leads with 227.63 total points, with Team Fish Hawk (220.68), Win-n-Angel (216.28), Sea Flea (214.60) and Maxed (209.23) rounding-out the top 5 Friday finishers. Best Chance Too, Fin Scout, Living the Dream, Originator and Tail Chaser complete the remainder of top 10. Jerry Link & Originator boated the Pro Big Fish, an impressive 21.11 pound Lake Trout.

See all Pro standings, updated live during Saturday’s weigh-in: www.pier33.com/pro.

Captains & crews were treated to complimentary hot dogs, wings & beverages provided by Schu’s Grill & Bar at the weigh-in site.

Saturday’s fishing concludes at 1 PM. Early morning thunderstorms moved thru the area and will likely linger throughout the remainder of the fishing period, so challenging conditions await today’s competitors.

To add to the excitement, Saturday’s Top 5 Pro boats will have their coolers sealed at the weigh-in site and those catches will be weighed separately during the wards ceremony Saturday at Pier 33.

Watch www.pier33.com/pro and www.pier33.com/am for live updates during the weigh-in.

Welcome Steelheaders!

It’s Day 1 of the 2012 Schu’s Summer Challenge Presented by the Southwest Michigan Steelheaders and Pier 33 Marina is proud to be the tournament’s host facility.

Captains and crews gathered Thursday evening at Pier 33’s showroom to swap tales, register for the tournament and review tournament rules.

Fifty-two boats are entered for this year’s event, including 24 in the Amateur Division and an impressive turn-out of 28 in the Pro Division. The top five Amateur boats in the 2011 tourney were Tackle Haven, Break Time, Spend a Buck, Reel Sharpie & Never Miss. In the Pro Division, top five placers were Sea Flea, Living the Dream, Winn “N Angel, Originator & Mi-Hi. Nearly all of last year’s placers return for another shot at big prizes for 2012.

In the Pro Division, boats must the best 12 of the first 15 legal sized fish boated each day (no cull). No more than six (6) Lake Trout may be weighed each day. In the Amateur Division, boats may weigh a one-man DNR limit (5 fish) each day. Culling is allowed per DNR rules.

Scoring is as follows: Ten (10) points per legal fish weighed, plus one (1) point per pound (nearest hundredth pound) total weight. Pier 33 will be providing live on-line updates from the weigh-in both days, Friday & Saturday. Results can be accessed for the Pro Division and for the Amateur Division.

Weather conditions are ideal today for the opening day of the tournament. Bright blue skies overhead, a light breeze out of the southwest and waves around one foot. Saturday’s forecast includes a slight chance of thunderstorms and a little bit of a wind shift, with waves increasing to 1 to 2 feet.

Fishing is Fun - For the Whole Family

Fishing has been a favorite sport for many generations. You could say that fishing has been one of the very first activities that a father and his child have enjoyed together – and what better bonding time than in the outdoors fishing? Fishing can be fun and beneficial for both children and adults, and has created a lifetime of traditions and memories. Not to mention all of the other benefits it holds!

There are many different types of fishing, but fishing in general is good for your health. While you may look like a bump on a log at certain points throughout your fishing day, you’re gaining a great amount of Vitamin D from the sun, which is a major vitamin deficiency in most people’s daily nutritional intake since our main source of Vitamin D only comes from UV rays. Be sure to wear sun block though. Vitamin D isn’t necessarily a good thing when your skin is burnt!  Another health benefit is the simple active nature of fishing. It takes a lot of muscle groups in your body to reel a fish in. From your forearms to your thighs, you may be working more muscles than you realized. While fishing may not help you lose a noticeable amount of weight, it can help you tone your muscles. This is also a good way to get your family active while having fun!

I often remember my grandfather coming home in the evenings from doing a little fishing. When he’d get home, well after dark, we were always intrigued to hear about ‘the one that got away’ or the ones that didn’t. But quite differently, as children, we misunderstood his still happy face when coming home after catching absolutely nothing. What’s the point of fishing if you don’t catch anything? As an adult, I can now fully understand. Fishing isn’t always about catching fish. Being on a boat with a line in the water is one of the most rewarding activities. It’s unexplainable, but fishing is relaxing. Maybe it’s the silence. Maybe it’s feeling the water swaying back and forth under your feet with the expectation that at any moment, that pole might bend. Maybe it’s being one with nature, or maybe it’s because, in most cases, fishing requires little thinking and allows your mind to wander. Either way, it’s worth the relaxation, even if you don’t catch the ‘big one’.

Fresh clean fish are tasty, that’s a given. Fishing is often used to put food on family’s tables, especially during the spring and summer months. Providing fish for your family is a great benefit to fishing. While most anglers enjoy catching and releasing fish, many people still enjoy what the sport was originally created for …food! You’ll of course need to check with your state to see if there are any special requirements on length and types of fish that you can keep. You’ll need to make sure your fishing license is up to date as well, whether you plan on keeping a fish or not.

Whether walking in the river, standing on the shoreline, or sitting in a boat, fishing is fun for the entire family – even mom! Introducing your children to nature at an early age not only improves sensory skills and lures them away from the television, but it also offers a fun learning experience about water, safety, and teaching them patience and independence. Growing a strong bond with your family is also another benefit. Families that enjoy the simple activities in life together, including fishing, are more relaxed, bonded, and overall, happier. Take this time of doing something you already love doing to bond with your family and enjoy teaching them about leadership skills, nature, fishing, and life. Involve every member of your family. Every family member, old or young, will learn more when they sense the feeling of being involved and having their family involved. You are showing true leadership skills when you take the time to first apply these skills to your family, patiently. Fishing is an amazing leadership and independence builder. These simple skills will help your child feel more confident and able in everyday life at school or with their friends.  Your family will feel comfortable in having conversations with one another, especially when there is a common bond. When you and your family can completely enjoy something together, a lifetime bond begins to form.

There’s nothing like watching the face of your child when they catch their first fish – or their second, or their eighth! Make sure you have all of the necessary “kid friendly” fishing tools before you set off on your fishing adventure. Things such as bobbers, a small child size fishing pole, and live bait can enhance the experience for everyone. A word of advice, keep your camera handy. You’re guaranteed to catch more than just fun slimy fish during the day! Laughing – just one more key benefit to fishing with your family.

So now that we know that fishing is relaxing, good for your health, and a great bonding experience – you may be wondering “where does the ‘fun’ for the kids come in?” There are so many great tools on the web for you to enhance your child’s fishing experience, but nothing is better than actually getting out there and getting their little beginner angler hands dirty. Before you go fishing, let your child pick out a fishing pole that’s just their size. Whether it’s a Disney fishing pole or simply satin black, it’s always fun when you have something of your own that you got to pick out all by yourself. Next – the bait. Live bait is always fun when fishing with your family. But if it’s not accessible, that’s fine too. Have your children search for worms and critters under rocks and in the yard or along the river bank.  Give them mason jars or other types of clear containers so that they can see what they’ve collected. If you have more than one child, turn it into a game! See who can collect the most bait.

When you’re fishing with the entire family, make a day of it! Don’t just narrow your day to fishing. Take a cooler full of food and drinks, maybe even a blanket to sit on when you’re on shore. Go exploring on shore or on a beach, play some games, go swimming. There are so many things you can do to make the most of your time with the ones you love.

The most important part to making fishing fun for your family is to sit back, relax, and don’t force it. If you find that your family is getting bored (especially if the fish aren’t biting), let them take a break. Let them go swimming or set the poles down and let them enjoy a snack, read a book, or play a game while waiting. The fish will always be there, but quality time with their parent(s) won’t be. Take this time to talk to them about their week, toys, school, events, or for the older kids….what they want to do with their lives. You see, fishing is more than just throwing a hook and line into the water; it’s about involving and showing your family that you’re taking the time to be with them. It’s about showing them that you care, and that no matter what, you’re always there. It’s about generations of families following traditions and making new memories. And if you catch fish, that’s pretty cool too.

Life Jackets for Kids

Safety and life jackets are the first key steps to any great boating experience. Knowing that everyone on board is safe makes for a more enjoyable day on the water – but what about kids? We’ve all heard it, “my jacket is too itchy, my jacket is too hot,” or, “why do I have to wear this stupid thing?” How can a day on the water be enjoyable while listening to your child complain all day long? Well, it can be, because there are so many life jacket options for your child, whether an infant, toddler or pre-teen/youth. Taking the necessary precautions and steps to make sure your child has the proper life jacket and fit for them will make a world of difference. 

First and foremost, if your child is old enough to understand, then sitting them down and explaining to them why life jackets are so crucial will help them tremendously. Pre-teens/youth are probably the worst when it comes to complaining. But if they can understand the reasoning behind life jackets and know that it’s not just some evil plan devised by their parents to make them miserable all day, it’s easier for them to cope. The bulk of all drownings do not occur out to sea, but in shallow inland waters involving boats under 20-feet long. Unfortunately, most drowning victims had a life jacket on the boat, but never chose to, or were made to, wear it. Make sure you always choose safety first!

Making sure your children are wearing the proper clothing under their life jackets will help them become more comfortable while wearing their jacket. Wear clothes made with material that is light weight and breathes easily, such as cotton. Your child’s jacket should also fit snuggly to their body. A great test to make sure they are fitted properly is to have your child put their life jacket on and then pick them up by the shoulders of the life jacket. If their chin and ears do not slip through the jacket, and the jacket remains snug to their body, then the jacket is properly fitted.

There are many different life jacket options for children, even small infants (though it is not always recommended to take small infants onboard a boat). You’ll want to consider purchasing a life jacket with a ‘heads- up’ collar for infants, smaller children/toddlers, and children who do not know how to swim. These life vests ensure that your child’s face will be turned up and away from the water when they fall in or should they be knocked unconscious. When fitted properly, these life vests should not cause any major discomfort to your child. 

Many older children and youth believe that all life jackets are huge and uncomfortable for good reason – they’ve never seen all of the options!  Life jackets are now made to be comfortable and easy to wear – there are even some jackets that come in customizable colors, depending on your style. Some life jackets have mesh backs and many are created to breathe easier, all while keeping its user safe.  Research your options online or stop by our pro-shop to find the best fit for your child.

Every life jacket has a weight and buoyancy limit, so be careful when choosing which life jacket to buy. You’ll want to invest in life jackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. All children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times unless in a cabin or below deck. Each state varies with the age limit, so be sure to check your individual state for more information.

You’ll want to test every life jacket before sailing off in your boat. Take your child into a shallow area of water and have them lay down to test their jacket. While even a heads-up collar is a wonderful life saver for children, it may not guarantee that your child’s face will be turned away from the water if they are frantically swinging their arms and legs around in panic. Be sure to teach your child the proper things to do should they fall into the water, by keeping their bodies (especially their arms and legs) still and relaxed.  Explain to them that life jackets are used to help us in these situations, and the only thing they need to do is stay still and calm so that they can be quickly retrieved. 

Once everyone on board is equipped with their properly fitted and pre-tested life jackets, it’s time to head onto the water.  It’s a win-win situation – save a life by taking the necessary precautions ahead of time, and have a relaxing day with a very happy ending. They’ll have nothing to complain about, except for the fact that no one wants the day to end.