Channel 16 is the Distress, Safety, and Calling channel, so unless we have already made arrangements with Karenita to call her on some other channel, Channel 16 is obviously the one to use to make initial contact. We can’t stay on Channel 16, though: we have an obligation to minimise our use of it, in order to keep it clear for other people. Having used it as a meeting place, we have to move away as soon as possible, to continue the conversation on a “working channel” earmarked for inter-ship calls. We also have an obligation to use low power if possible.
The first stage in the process, assuming the radio is already switched on and set up (see page 24) is to assess the situation. Is Karenita close enough to use low power? And which inter-ship channels are available?
Having listened to Channel 16 for a few moments, to make sure that we are not about to interrupt someone else’s communication, we’re ready to make the call itself:-
“Karenita, Karenita, Karenita, this is Blue Tango, Blue Tango, Over.”
Give the name or callsign of the vessel you are calling, up to three times followed by the procedure words “this is” and your own vessel name or callsign. Finally, the word “over” indicates that you are about to stop transmitting to wait for a reply.
“Blue Tango, Blue Tango, this is Karenita, Over”
Blue Tango is obviously expecting a reply, there is no point repeating the name more than once or twice.
“Karenita, this is Blue Tango. Channel Seventy Two, please. Seven Two. Over.”
The station that has been called is officially “in control” of the communication, but Karenita didn’t have the opportunity to listen to other channels to find out which were occupied. It is now accepted best practice for the vessel that initiated the call to choose the working channel.
“Blue Tango, Blue Tango, this is Karenita, Channel Seventy Two Over”
It is easy to lose each other while changing channels. Repeating the chosen channel back to the other boat helps nip any confusion in the bud.
This whole process should take less than a minute.
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