Are Security calls the newest puffery?

[Roger Long]

Heard on the radio the other day (bright and clear, visibility unlimited):

"Security, Security. 36 foot Searay "Pretentious" (name changed because I forgot) departing Portland Harbor bound for Boothbay. Standing by for concerned traffic on 16."

This will be funnier if you are familiar with Portland Harbor. That fellow could have been anywhere within about 36 square miles.

I've started to hear a lot of call like this. I think people are just aping what they hear on the radio but, if every boat this size starts making calls like this, it's going to create more chaos than safety.

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[Phil Herring]

If I heard someone say that on the radio I know I would be concerned.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Who could possibly be 'concerned'? And security from whom, Al Queda?

 

[Rick D]

Have not heard that on the left coast (yet) but OTOH, darn few boaters even know radio protocol here. It would really be a mess if everyone started to mimic that. And, speaking of messes, as class B AIS grows, it will really devalue the utility of class AIS, IMHO, of course.

 

[Winkfish]

"Securite" is the first and least serious call to make. The example often cited is someone whose spouse is 3 hours late returning to the dock. The call out would be "securite, securite, securite, blah blah blah." Or if you're in a bad storm but making headway with no problem yet and just want someone to know you need monitoring, you'd put out a "securite" call.

PanPan is next - you're having problems and may need help, but you're not in any immediate danger.

Last is the Mayday call - you need help.

When I'm out fishing, I hear the Coast Guard put out "securite" calls all the time, maybe a boat is disabled but in contact with SeaTow or someone, so the CG puts out the call so you'll keep an eye out and render assistance if needed, or even if there's a weather system coming through the Coast Guard will put out a securite call.

Sounds like the guy above really doesn't understand what it's used for.

 

[Benny]

New radio?

 

[Winkfish]

Here's another example:

SAMPLE SECURITE CALL Securite, securite, securite, all stations this is the sailing vessel One More Time. We are towing a powerboat on a stern tow in the vicity of Sheffield Island CT bound for Norwalk harbor and have limited maneuverability. All vessels transiting the area should keep a sharp lookout. The is the sailing vessel One More Time standing by on channel 16 for any concerned traffic.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Heard on the radio the other day (bright and clear, visibility unlimited):

"Security, Security. 36 foot Searay "Pretentious" (name changed because I forgot) departing Portland Harbor bound for Boothbay. Standing by for concerned traffic on 16."

This will be funnier if you are familiar with Portland Harbor. That fellow could have been anywhere within about 36 square miles.

I've started to hear a lot of call like this. I think people are just aping what they hear on the radio but, if every boat this size starts making calls like this, it's going to create more chaos than safety.

Has anyone else noticed this?

this is an announcement that another idiot just bought a boat

 

[Winkfish]

this is an announcement that another idiot just bought a boat

LOL, Don!!

 

[ffaubert]

this is an announcement that another idiot just bought a boat

That's harsh,... true, but harsh.

 

[jackhartjr]

Don, that is too funny...but probably true!

 

[DougM]

it figures...it was a SeaRay

 

[JerryA]

I usually hear this message when the coal ships are coming into the bay. They usually announce themselves about 5 miles out. Very useful for something a couple hundred feet long, but to hear it from a Searay is a bit of overkill. I just wish the Searay would cross me on the stern instead of the bow.

JerryA

 

[CalebD]

I was out sailing about 25 NM north of NY Harbor between Croton and the Tappan Zee Bridge a few Thursdays ago. The NY Harbor sector CG kept broadcasting a securite call about a disabled freighter or bulker that was being towed to Port Elizabeth for repairs. Where I was sailing has very little commercial traffic but the channels the tugs had to pull the boat through are pretty narrow and frequented by other BIG ships fairly often. I knew that even if it was both entertaining and annoying for me to listen to the announcement every 20 minutes there was good reason for them to do so. If I found it that annoying I would have turned the VHF radio off while freely buzzing the prison at Ossinning (Sing-sing) but I did not. They were only doing their job of warning other vessels that they needed the whole channel to tow this large ship into the repair port. There were multiple tugs employed to push this ship safely to port and the lead tug vessel was specified in the announcement.
Fortunately I was 25 miles up the Hudson from all the activity and we saw a couple of Sturgeon break the surface near Croton Point.
It is actually nice rather then annoying to know that we can receive the CG vhf signal from that far away from our mast head antenna.
Securite calls should be about 'watch out', or 'warning' as this one was. No big surprise as the CG was issuing this Securite.

 

[Brian D]

This wasn't a securite call but one day I was called by a US Navy War Vessel entering San Diego Bay while I was on my way out of the Bay. We exchanged data on heading, speed, and intent. When he called me he was several miles out and I could barely see him on the horizon. He picked me up on radar I am sure. However, once our communications were completed, he started calling other boats that where in the area. No one answered the ships's hails.

Sad, very sad that boaters do not carry radios or if they do, do not monitor their radios.

 

[sinnettc]

During our recent San Juans trip I heard quite a few Securite's from the CG - mostly regarding the heavy fog in Haro Strait and Puget Sound; iirc they were followed by instructions to turn to 22 for a more detailed report. We did hear one or two boats announce themselves before entering Deception Pass, possibly in foggy conditions. Frankly, I think it's a good idea given how difficult the conditions can be even with good visibility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B3sd0XRFBE

On our last day the CG responded to a mayday from a boat taking on water near Cliff Island. Once Sea Tow (or whoever does the towing out of Friday Harbor) got things under control the CG did a Securite announcing a boat under tow at least twice while the damaged boat was being towed through Wasp Passage.

 

[sinnettc]

Sad, very sad that boaters do not carry radios or if they do, do not monitor their radios.

I monitored mine and was disappointed when the WA state ferry I hailed when I was off of Lopez Island failed to answer. I kind of wanted to know which way he was going so I could stay out of his way. Turned out maybe he had a smaller problem - a guy in a sailing dinghy trying to row out of the way!

 

[Sailm8]

My pet peeve are radio checks. Why do so many people think their radio doesn't work? I would guess that there is a request at least every 5 minutes on the weekend. Seatow and BoatsUS answer the calls but it must drive them crazy. There are so many that Seatow has gone to an automated system. just my pet peeve.

 

[dscribner]

Brian,

I'm curious (rhymes with clueless, sort of). How did you know it was you he was calling? Lat/Long on your GPS or something.

 

[Drew13440]

Securite calls are supposed to be for bringing hazards to the attention of others. Usually navigational or weather-related. They're not for announcing the presence of the SS Pretentious. Don nailed this one.