Safety
Can you swim?? Do you like alligators?? Does hypothermia bother you?? Maybe you better read this section....??
2009 Water Safety Task Force
This year as in years past the Water Safety Task Force is hard at work bringing awareness of boating safety to the public.
Left to right: Lindsey Houchens-J. Percy Priest Hickory Lake, Tyler Matthews-Center Hill Lake, Charlie Leath-Cheatham Lake, Carolyn Bauer-Coordinator, Nashville District Water Safety Task Force, Crystal Tingle-Old Hickory Lake, Kyle Lock-Martins Fork Lake, Sarah Bates-Lake Cumberland, Mark Vaughan-J. Percy Priest Lake, Randy Hawkins-US Coast Guard Auxiliary Div. 11 Flotilla 11-02 , Dave Bishop-Nashville District Chief of Safety, Rich Rice-Lake Barkley.
Safety is enhanced by proper communications. Read the following over before you depart on your next big adventure, and keep a copy aboard if possible.
Phonetic Alphabet
The phonetic alphabet may be used to identify any letter of the Alphabet, or to spell a word or group of letters.| Letter | Phonetic | Spoken as: |
|---|---|---|
| A | ALFA | AL FAH |
| B | BRAVO | BRAH VO |
| C | CHARLIE | CHAR LEE |
| D | DELTA | DELL TAH |
| E | ECHO | ECK OH |
| F | FOXTROT | FOKS TROT |
| G | GOLF | GOLF |
| H | HOTEL | HOH TELL |
| I | INDIA | IN DEE AH |
| J | JULIETT | JEW LEE ETT |
| K | KILO | KEY LOH |
| L | LIMA | LEE MAH |
| M | MIKE | MIKE |
| N | NOVEMBER | NO VEM BER |
| O | OSCAR | OSS CAH |
| P | PAPA | PAH PAH |
| Q | QUEBEC | KEH BECK |
| R | ROMEO | ROW ME OH |
| S | SIERRA | SEE AIR RAH |
| T | TANGO | TANG GO |
| U | UNIFORM | YOU NEE FORM |
| V | VICTOR | VIC TAH |
| W | WHISKEY | WISS KEY |
| X | XRAY | ECKS RAY |
| Y | YANKEE | YANG KEY |
| Z | ZULU | ZOO LOO |
Pronunciation of Numerals
To distinguish numerals from words having the same meaning, the PROWORD "Figures" is used preceding such numbers.| Number | Spoken | Number | Spoken | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ZE-RO | 5 | FIFE | |
| 1 | WUN | 6 | SIX | |
| 2 | TOO | 7 | SEV-UN | |
| 3 | TREE | 8 | AIT | |
| 4 | FOW-ER | 9 | NIN-ER |
| Number | Spoken |
|---|---|
| 44 | FOW-ER FOW-ER | 500 | FIFE ZERO ZERO |
| 7000 | SEV-UN ZERO ZERO ZERO |
| 16000 | WUN SIX ZERO ZERO ZERO |
| 14899 | WUN FOW-ER AIT NIN-ER NIN-ER |
| *081400Z JUN 08 | TIME - ZERO EIGHT ONE FOUR ZERO ZERO ZULU JUNE ZERO EIGHT *Date-time-groups are always sent digit by digit |
| Decimal Points 123.6 spoken as: | FIGURES - WUN TOO TREE- DAY-SEE-MAL SIX |
PROWORDS
Procedure words (prowords) are words and phrases used to speed the transmission of radiotelephone messages. The table shown below contains a list of prowords together with an explanation of each.| PROWORD | MEANING |
|---|---|
| ALL AFTER | All after |
| ALL BEFORE | All before |
| BREAK | Separation of text from other portions of the message |
| CORRECTION | Error |
| DISREGARD THIS TRANSMISSION | This transmission is in error-disregard it |
| FIGURES | Numerals or numbers to follow |
| FROM | Originators sign |
| INFO | The addressee (s) designation immediately following are addressed for information |
| INITIAL | The following phonetic equivalent is to be recorded as a single letter initial |
| I READ BACK | The following is my response to the instructions to read back |
| I SAY AGAIN | I am repeating transmissions or portion indicated |
| I SPELL | I shall spell the next word phonetically |
| I VERIFY | I have verified with originator and am repeating |
| MESSAGE | A message requiring recording is about to follow |
| OUT | End of transmission: no receipt required (Not used with OVER) |
| OVER | Go ahead, or this is the end of my transmission, a reply is expected (Never used with OUT) |
| READ BACK | Repeat this entire transmission back exactly as received |
| RELAY (TO) | Transmit this message to all addressees immediately following |
| ROGER | I have received your last transmission satisfactorily |
| SAY AGAIN | Repeat |
| SPEAK SLOWER | Your transmission is too fast a speed-send slower |
| THAT IS CORRECT | Correct |
| THIS IS | From |
| TIME | What follows is time or Date-Time Group of this message |
| TO | Action address |
| UNKNOWN STATION | Unknown station |
| VERIFY | Verify with originator and repeat |
| WAIT | I must pause for a few seconds |
| WAIT OUT | I must pause for more than a few seconds |
| WILCO | I have received your message, I understand, and I will comply |
| WORD AFTER | Word after |
| WORD BEFORE | Word before |
| WORD TWICE | Communication is difficult-transmit each phrase twice (Can be used as an order or a request) |
| WRONG | Your last transmission was incorrect " the correct version is a...". |
Spelling Difficult words or groups within the text of plain text messages should be spelled using the phonetic alphabet preceded by the PROWORD "I SPELL." If you can pronounce the word to be spelled, do so before and after the spelling to identify the word.
!!Say It - Spell It - Say It Again!!
"CANTENARY - I SPELL-CHARLIE ALFA NOVEMBER TANGO ECHO NOVEMBER ALFA ROMEO YANKEE - CANTENARY".
Say It - Spell It - Say It Again; If the word sounds the same but has a different meaning. Ex. To, Too, Two.
Coded Groups If a message text contains coded groups or other words that cannot be pronounced, the phonetic equivalents of the individual letters should be transmitted, without the PROWORD I SPELL.
LOZWT in text "LIMA OSCAR ZULU WHISKEY TANGO"
Mixed Letters and Numbers If the message text contains mixed letters and numbers they will be spoken as:
12A9B Spoken "FIGURES - ONE TWO ALFA NINER BRAVO"
TS67R Spoken "I SPELL - TANGO SIERRA SIX SEVEN ROMEO"
Abbreviations Abbreviations in the text, initials used alone or in conjunction with short titles shall be spoken phonetically.
A. Spoken as "ALFA PERIOD" or ACP spoken as "I SPELL - ALFA CHARLIE PAPA".
Abbreviations frequently used in normal speech may be used in the same manner when transmitted by voice.
NATO spoken as "NATO."
USCGC DALLAS spoken as "UNITED STATES COAST GUARD CUTTER DALLAS - I SPELL - UNIFORM SIERRA CHARLIE GOLF CHARLIE - USCGC DALLAS."
Dates Dates are spoken digit by digit using the full month's name
20 AUG spoken as "TOO ZERO AUGUST."
Initials Personal initials shall be spoken phonetically, prefixed by the word "INITIALS."
W.E. LEWIS spoken as "INITIALS WHISKEY ECHO LEWIS"
Roman Numerals Transmitted as the corresponding Arabic numerals preceded by the word, "ROMAN NUMERALS."
Note: Spelling of words lengthens the time of transmission, thus increasing on-air time. Avoid spelling words unnecessarily.
| Punctuation | Spoken as: |
|---|---|
| Comma | "COMMA" |
| Period | "PERIOD OR FULL STOP" |
| Parenthesis | " BRACKETS ON/ BRACKETS OFF " |
| Oblique Stroke | "SLANT" |
| Hyphen | "HYPHEN" |
| Semicolon | "SEMI-COLON" |
| Colon | "COLON" |
| Question Mark | "QUESTION MARK" |
| Decimal point | "DAY-SEE-MAL" |
Note: Do not use "Symbol For"
How to Call and Reply Transmitting and receiving on a voice circuit will be accomplished in the following manner. Keep in mind proper circuit discipline.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check your transmitter/receiver settings and verify the proper transmit/receive frequency is dialed in. |
| 2 | Listen to the frequency to ensure you will not interfere with another transmission in progress. |
| 3 | Speak clearly in a normal tone of voice, holding the microphone no more than an inch from your mouth. |
| 4 | Avoid excessive calling and unofficial transmissions. Call signs should be transmitted only once when conditions are favorable and twice when unfavorable. |
| 5 | If three attempts to contact a station are unsuccessful, send the PROWORD "Nothing Heard". Attempt to establish communications with another station and request their assistance in contacting the original unit. Continue your call-up at reasonable intervals. |
| 6 | Message transmissions should be sent at such a speed as to allow accurate copying of the message. Send phrase by phrase, un-keying the microphone at regular intervals. |
| 7 | Every transmission shall end with an ending PROWORD. The authorized PROWORD'S are: "OVER" Response required "OUT" No response required "WAIT" The pause is for a few seconds "WAIT OUT" The pause is more than a few seconds |
VHF FREQUENCY IN MHz
| CHANNEL | SHIP | COAST | USE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 156.800 | 156.800 | Distress and Calling |
| 06 | 156.300 | 156.300 | Intership Safety |
| 13 | 156.650 | 156.650 | Bridge-to-bridge |
| 15 | 156.750 | Environmental | |
| 17 | 156.850 | 156.850 | State Control |
| 70 | 156.525 | 156.525 | Digital Selective Calling |
| 65 | 156.275 | 156.275 | Port operations for intership and ship to coast. |
| 66 | 156.325 | 156.325 | Same |
| 12 | 156.600 | 156.600 | Same |
| 73 | 156.675 | 156.675 | Same |
| 14 | 156.700 | 156.700 | Same |
| 74 | 156.725 | 156.725 | Same |
| 20 | 156.000 | 161.600 | Same |
| 07 | 156.350 | 156.350 | Commercial use for intership and ship to coast. |
| 09* | 156.450 | 156.450 | Same |
| 10 | 156.500 | 156.500 | Same |
| 11 | 156.550 | 156.550 | Same |
| 18 | 156.900 | 156.900 | Same |
| 19 | 156.950 | 156.950 | Same |
| 79 | 156.975 | 156.975 | Same |
| 80 | 157.025 | 157.025 | Same |
| 67 | 156.375 | Commercial use for intership only. | |
| 08 | 156.400 | Same | |
| 77 | 156.875 | Same | |
| 88 | 157.425 | Same | |
| 68 | 156.425 | 156.425 | Noncommercial use intership and ship to coast. |
| 69 | 156.475 | 156.475 | Same |
| 71 | 156.575 | 156.575 | Same |
| 78 | 156.925 | 156.925 | Same |
| 72 | 156.625 | Intership only. | |
| 24 | 157.200 | 161.800 | Public Correspondence ship to coast (Telephone channels). |
| 84 | 157.225 | 161.825 | Same |
| 25 | 157.250 | 161.850 | Same |
| 85 | 157.275 | 161.875 | Same |
| 26 | 157.300 | 161.900 | Same |
| 86 | 157.325 | 161.925 | Same |
| 27 | 157.350 | 161.950 | Same |
| 87 | 157.375 | 161.975 | Same |
| 28 | 157.400 | 162.000 | Same |
Coast Guard Frequencies
| CHANNEL | SHIP | COAST | USE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21A | 157.05 | 157.05 | Intra-Coast Guard VHF-FM working frequency for units in maritime mobile operations. |
| 22A | 157.100 | 157.100 | Primary VHF-FM liaison frequency for communications between Coast Guard units and civilian stations. It is also used for making Coast Guard Marine Information and Marine Assistance Request Broadcasts (MARBs). |
| 23A | 157.15 | 157.15 | Intra-Coast Guard VHF-FM working frequency used for communications between Coast Guard units working in maritime mobile operations. |
| 81A | 157.075 | 157.075 | Intra-Coast Guard VHF-FM working frequency for units in maritime mobile operations. |
| 83A | 157.175 | 157.175 | Intra-Coast Guard VHF-FM working frequency for units in maritime mobile operations. |
MF/HF-(SSB)
| Frequency (kHz) | USE |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Intership safety frequency for Great Lakes only |
| 2082.5 | Intership safety frequency for all areas |
| 2142 | Intership safety frequency for Pacific coast area south of latitude 42o North (daytime only) |
| 2182 | International distress and calling frequency used world-wide for distress calls and for urgent message traffic. Also, ship and shore stations may use it to establish initial contact, then shift to a proper working frequency for passing operational traffic. All units must maintain radio silence on this frequency for three minutes, twice each hour, except for transmitting distress, or urgency messages, or vital navigation warnings. |
| 2203 | Intership safety frequency for Gulf of Mexico only |
| 2638 | International intership safety frequency |
| 2670 | Coast Guard working frequency used to broadcast urgent safety messages; precede messages on 2670 kHz with a preliminary announcement on 2182 kHz. Primary MF/HF Coast Guard/civilian liaison frequency. |
| 2738 | International intership safety frequency. Coast Guard and Auxiliary boats may use this frequency to communicate with other vessels in all areas, except the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico. |
| 2830 | Intership safety frequency for the Gulf of Mexico only |
| 3023 and 5680 |
International SAR on-scene frequencies. Use either and of these frequencies to conduct communications at the scene of an emergency or as the SAR control frequency. |
| 4125 | International distress and safety, used in Alaska |
| 5692 | Aircraft working frequency |
| 5696 | Coast Guard Aircraft primary frequency (air to ground) |
The links below are a few of many thousands that contain essential Boating Safety information.
Links
Current US Coast Guard Boating Alerts
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-02, Old Hickory Lake, Nashville, TN
Boat Safe
Commander Bob's Boating Safety Page
North American Safe Boating Campaign
Safe Boating Kidsite Central ..... Fun & Education!
Boat Safe Kids Questions! ..... More Fun & Education!