proper radio communications conducting bridge-to-bridge radio calls identifying subject vessels

Proper Radio CommunicationsConducting Bridge-to-Bridge Radio Calls

Identifying Subject Vessels

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Proper Radio Communications

Welcome, Coast Guard Academy Cadets to this self paced module on proper radio communications!! My name is LT Chris Bonner and I’ll be helping you through this module!

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE!!


But before we start, I want to make sure you understand how to use the features in this module…First of all, the yellow arrows below allow you to move forward and backward in the module.

Go to Previous Slide

Go to Next Slide


Next, there may be some points during this module where I might want to share more information with you on a certain subject. If I do I’ll put the information icon next to what I want to tell you more about!

Try out the Information Icon!


Great job! You used the information icon! Now that you’ve clicked on the icon, I guess I have to share more information on me! Well, when I was in college I competed in several in the Scottish Athletic Highland Games and was ranked nationally!


Today, our goal is to make sure you have enough knowledge about proper radio communications and can properly identify other vessels so that you don’t look SILLY out on the water like the guys in this video!!

Click to view the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5onkl2EHV4


Just kidding! But seriously…

It’s important for you to know how to communicate with other maritime professionals as part of your professional development..


Okay, now that you know how to use the features on this module, let’s get going!! Before we get into practicing our radio calls, let’s make sure we understand the basics…


First things first…

As you have learned in your previous Nautical Science courses, there are certain radio channels on which we initially hail another vessel. Let’s test your knowledge on proper radio communication channels…


According the Coast Guard Navigation Rules, if you wanted to hail another vessel on your VHF Bridge-to-Bridge Radio, what channels would you use?

Channel 13 Channel 21A

Channel 74 Channel 16


You’re correct!

VHF Channel 13 is a designated Bridge-to-Bridge radio channel and is required to be monitored by vessels that are greater than 20 meters in length. Try picking another channel!




Not quite…

VHF Channel 21A is used for Coast Guard Operations alone. You should not hail a commercial vessel on this channel. Try another choice!




Nope!

VHF Channel 74 is designated as a port operations channel only. Try another channel!




You’re right!

VHF Channel 16 is the designated international distress, safety and calling channel. Are there any other channels? Try one!




How did you do?

If you felt comfortable with which bridge-to-bridge radio channels to use, then let’s move on!

If not and you want to access more material, click on the information icon.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtVhf


Okay, now that we understand what channel we want to hail another vessel on, let’s review our radio terminology. Check out the next slide for a quick review of all the terminology you’ll need to Know!


Click on each of the following common standard radio phraseology terms to identify their meaning:

Roger

Over

Out

I Spell

Figures



Roger

Over

Out

I Spell

Figures

I have received your transmission satisfactorily



Roger

Over

Out

I Spell

Figures

Transmission is done, a response is expected



Roger

Over

Out

I Spell

Figures

Transmission is done, the conversation is finished, no response necessary



Roger

Over

Out

I Spell

Figures

I shall spell the next word phonetically



Roger

Over

Out

I Spell

Figures Numerals follow


Now, do you remember all of your radio terminology? Hopefully you do, but if you don’t then take a look at the Radiotelephone Handbook below to get reacquainted!


Alright, before we move into some scenarios, let’s make sure you understand all of the bridge equipment that will help you in identifying the vessel you want to talk to…


Select any of the highlighted bridge equipment to see how it helps you identify another vessel!


Navigational Radar

The Navigational Radar is a key piece of equipment when identifying other contacts. It is the best source of critical identification information such as the vessel’s position, course and speed information.

Go Back to the Bridge


Bridge-to-Bridge VHF Radios

The VHF bridge-to-bridge radio is the primary means in which you are going to communicate with the vessel you are attempting to identify. Although the radio itself doesn’t give you any identification information, it the tool you will use to communicate with and ultimately identify the other vessel. Go Back to the Bridge


Automatic Identification System

The Automatic Identification System(AIS) provides is a real time tracking system that provides commercial vessel information, including name, course and speed, and position. While all vessels will not show up on AIS, it is a very useful identification tool.


For more information on AIS, click the icon!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Identification_System


Bridge View


It’s great that we have all of our electronic bridge equipment to help us out, but often it’s what we see outside of the bridge windows that give us the best view to identify a vessel. Remember, we can use our view to identify the vessel in the following ways:

• Aspect• Target Angle (Relative bearing

of your vessel from the other vessel)

• Vessel Type• Vessel Characteristics (Hull and

Superstructure Color, etc.)


Great! Now that you know where to look on the bridge, let’s check your knowledge…


What is the best piece of equipment on the bridge to identify a vessel’s position?

Navigational Radar AIS

Bridge ViewBridge-to-Bridge VHF Radio


You’re correct! The Navigational Radar is the best and most accurate way to track and gather position information for a vessel.




Almost! AIS is a great tool for gather vessel information, but not all vessels are required to use AIS, so it’s not the best tool available for vessel position information. Try again!




Nope! Your bridge view gives you a good visual picture of where the vessel’s aspect and relative bearing but does not provide you with position information. Try another choice…




Nice try! Your VHF radio is absolutely crucial to contacting the other vessel, but provides no position information for that vessel. See if you can get it right on your next pick!




Okay! Well we’ve reviewed proper radio channels and terminology, and identification equipment you can use on the bridge! Are you ready to execute a scenario?!

Yes! I’m ready!No, I need some more practice and review…


You’re not quite ready? No problem, simply click on the forward arrow below and I’ll take you back to the start of the tutorial and walk you through each segment!

Click here for more practiceClick here to go back


Scenario

You are underway on Coast Guard Cutter ELM inbound to the Coast Guard station in Key West. You are on a course of 060T at a speed of 15 knots and see another vessel outside of your bridge window. The below graphic is what you see:


You call your Commanding Officer about the vessel and he has requested you to identify and hail the vessel on the Bridge-to-Bridge VHF Radio. You must use the proper radio channel and terminology in your radio call. Based on your Commanding Officer’s request, which piece of equipment would you use to identify the vessel?




Navigational Radar

Try another piece of equipment

Below is the radar image you observe concerning the vessel. Study the radar image and when you are ready, proceed to make your radio call…

Radar Specifics

Range: 7.2 NMBearing: 048.2TCourse: 250TSpeed: 15 ktsPosition:24-32.00’N081-49.00’W

Relative Vectors

Make your Radio Call


First of all, which VHF Channel will you use on your Bridge-to-Bridge Radio?


Channel 21A Channel 74


Correct! Channel 13 is a Bridge-to-Bridge radio channel. Proceed with your call.

Channel 13



Correct! Channel 16 is the international hailing, safety and distress channel. Proceed with your call.

Channel 16



Incorrect, Channel 21A is used for Coast Guard Operations only. Try another channel.

Channel 21A

Try another channel


Incorrect, Channel 74 is designated for Port Operations only. Try another channel.

Channel 74

Try another channel


Based on your navigational radar image and provided information, pick the best bridge-to-bridge radio call you should make to identify the other vessel:

“Hailing vessel on a course of 250T and a speed of 15 kts this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, out.”

“Hailing vessel on a course of 250T and a speed of 15 kts this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, over.”

“Hailing white vessel transiting outbound of Key West, this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, over.”


Close. Although you identified the correct information from the navigational radar, your radio terminology was incorrect. Remember the term “out” means that the transmission is ended and no reply is necessary. We are trying to converse with the other vessel so this term is not correct. Try another call.

“Hailing vessel on a course of 250T and a speed of 15 kts this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, out.”

Try another call


Correct, you used information from the navigational radar and used proper radio terminology. You may now conclude the tutorial or try other using other bridge identification equipment to contact the vessel!

“Hailing vessel on a course of 250T and a speed of 15 kts this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, over.”

Try out more bridge equipment Finish the Module


No. The information you’re providing was not gathered from the navigational radar. In addition, although the radio terminology was correct, the radio call was not specific enough. There are numerous vessels in the are who might also be white in color. Try another call.


Try another call


Bridge-to-Bridge VHF Radios

The VHF bridge-to-bridge radio is the primary means in which you are going to communicate with the vessel you are attempting to identify, but it doesn’t provide any information about the identification of the vessel.

Try another piece of equipment


Automatic Identification System

Name – M/V ROYAL PRINCESSPosition - 24-32.00’N, 081-49.00’W

Try another piece of equipment Make your Radio Call

Below is the information that AIS has given you on the vessel. Study the information and when you are ready, proceed to make your radio call…



Channel 13




Channel 16




Channel 21A

Try another channel



Channel 74

Try another channel


Based on your AIS information, pick the best bridge-to-bridge radio call you should make to identify the other vessel:

“Hailing the M/V ROYAL PRINCESS, this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, over.”


“Hailing vessel in position 24-32.00’N, 081-49.00’W, this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, out.”


Correct! You used your AIS information to correctly identify and hail the vessel. You also used correct radio terminology. You may now conclude the tutorial or try other using other bridge identification equipment to contact the vessel!

“Hailing the M/V ROYAL PRINCESS, this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, over.”

Try another piece of equipment Finish the Module




Try another call


Not quite. Although you identified the correct information from AIS, your radio terminology was incorrect. Remember the term “out” means that the transmission is ended and no reply is necessary. We are trying to converse with the other vessel so this term is not correct. Try another call.

“Hailing vessel in position 24-32.00’N, 081-49.00’W, this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM, out.”

Try another call


Bridge ViewUsing your binoculars, you see the below image. We are on a course of 060T and a speed of 15 knots. Study the image and when you are ready, proceed to make the radio call…

Remember you are looking to identify the following information from the bridge:

• Aspect• Target Angle (Relative

bearing of your vessel from the other vessel)

• Vessel Type• Vessel Characteristics (Hull

and Superstructure Color, etc.)

Try another piece of equipment Make your Radio Call



Channel 13




Channel 16




Channel 21A

Try another channel



Channel 74

Try another channel


Based on your bridge view, pick the best bridge-to-bridge radio call you should make to identify the other vessel:

“Hailing the white-hulled vessel outbound of Key West, this is Coast Guard ELM off of your port bow, over.”

“Hailing vessel in with a white hull, this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM off of your port bow, out.”

“Hailing the white-hulled, large vessel outside of Key West, this is Coast Guard ELM, over.”



Try another call

“Hailing the white-hulled, large vessel outside of Key West, this is Coast Guard ELM, over.”


Correct! You properly identified the vessel using the target angle and vessel’s characteristics. In addition, you used proper radio terminology when calling the vessel. You may now conclude the tutorial or try other using other bridge identification equipment to contact the vessel!

“Hailing the white-hulled vessel outbound of Key West, this is Coast Guard ELM off of your port bow, over.”

Try another piece of equipment Finish the Module


Nope. Although you identified the correct information from your bridge view, your radio terminology was incorrect. Remember the term “out” means that the transmission is ended and no reply is necessary. We are trying to converse with the other vessel so this term is not correct. Try another call.

“Hailing vessel in with a white hull, this is Coast Guard Cutter ELM off of your port bow, out.”

Try another call


Congratulations! You finished this module!

Thank you for your participation! Hopefully this was a good refresher on proper communications regarding radio channels, terminology and identification equipment. I hope you learned how to make effective bridge-to-bridge radio calls and correctly identify other vessels. It’s been a pleasure working with you! Thanks!

proper radio communications conducting bridge-to-bridge radio calls identifying subject vessels

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