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From: Arild Jensen (no email)
Date: Fri Jun 02 2006 - 20:02:59 EDT
Ahmet Erkan wrote:
I am astonished that there are no solutions. We should find a
> solution, reach an agreement among ourselves, get comments and/or
> approval from big ship's captains and push the authorities to make it law.
> (Piece of cake huh ?)
REPLY
That has already been done. Collectively they are called IMO and SOLAS
regulations.
Most shipping countries in the world are already signatories to these
agreements.
> What if it became the law for every ship to be equipped with a
> marine radio that monitored Channel 16.
REPLY
It's already included in the ITU and IMO regulations. Actually the new
regulations now call for Ch 70 to be the digital monitored frequency in the
mandatory GMDSS radio systems used on all SOLAS compliant vessels.
And in designated sea areas CH16 is also monitored.
> What if the new radios implemented a simple timer that triggered the
> transmitter for 1/100th of a second every 5 minutes.
> What if the relay contacts were brought out to a standard socket on the
> radio and the users can purchase the alarm of their choice. (ie:
> Start with a gentle beep and progress into a scream to wake up the single
handed
> captain, or the watch officer who may be re-circulating some coffee)
REPLY
Something similar is already a feature of GMDSS radios.
Also remember those shipboard radios with 4 sectors marked in red in the
dial.
These representedthe radio silent periods fro watch keeping for emergency
signasl.
The watchstander timerI mentioned way back at the beginnign of this thread
is compulsory for commerc9ial craft in some countries. Like Canada for
instance.
> Especially in zero visibility conditions at high seas when a
> 156.8MHz signal is detected, thanks to GPS technology, both ships can
broadcast location,
> heading and speed information and keep away from each other.
REPLY
Already been done. Its called AIS.
Various versions have been sea-trialed by many countries around the world
before IMO sanctioned a specific system. Its mandatory on SOLAS class ships.
I witnessed some sea trials as long ago as 1993.
Back then it was a hot topic in maritime engineering magazines speculating
about future technology.
> Getting back to subject, a smarter radio could transmit the location,
> heading and speed during the 1/100 second burst, and a smart receiver and
> laptop could present a tactical plot to the captain as he wakes
> up, takes a look at the plot, turns on the Radar for verification and
makes himself a
> cup of coffee, totally relaxed in his cabin during a gale.
REPLY
That's exactly what you get when AIS is integrated with ECDIS.
Check out www.aislive.com for a sample.
> So "What say you all" ..... (Borrowed from Commander Adama of Battlestar
> Galactica)
> Ahmet
> SV8827
REPLY
Most of the world has already adopted these suggestions. Its only the
recreational boaters of North America that has a problem with it. The
problem in the US; somebody will holler about infringement of their
personal freedom or they complain it will cost too much, or interfers with
their own choice of toys.
If pleasuer craft had to conform to small commercial vessel standards ther
would not be a problem.
Nor would there be a problem if everyone actually followed all the rules.
Unfortunately, there will alwaya be individuals who figure the rules do not
apply to them;
or that their personal situation justifies breaking the common safety rules.
The most basic set of these rules is the International Collision
Regulations.
Just look at the vehement defence for singlehanders to ignore Rule #5.
The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) has rules governing how
radios are operated, which frequewncies are used and what the official
language is. By international agreement it has been agreed that ENGLISH is
the only language used for radio communications worldwide in international
waters or air space.
Despite this rule countless radio operators use other languages or are
incapable of a working level of english when calling into North American
ports. Just ask any VTS operator in a busy entre-port.
So how many more rules do you propose to make, that will also be ignored by
a lot of people? <VBG>
regards
Arild
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