Actually here in Puget Sound, our Washington State ferries won't respond to channel 16 contacts even when you call them by name.Most modern FM Marine radios have a "Scanner" to scan preset channels fast.
FM Ch16 monitoring is required by all barges for hailing and emergency.
All craft must have a sound making device.
"A vessel of less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) must, at a a minimum, have some means of making an efficient sound signal i.e., handheld air horn, athletic whistle, installed horn, etc. A human voice/sound is not acceptable."
Jim...
@CowpokeeView attachment 149550
What is the proper etiquette while sailing in the vinicity of barge traffic?
Yesterday I went out for a late afternoon sail hoping to catch the evening breeze for a moonlight sail.
As you can see in the pic, the wind was very light although I was still making slightly greater than one knot while I was crossing the narrow channel.
As the barge rounded a corner about 500 yards from me, I could here his engines back off to idle speed. At first I attributed the quietness due to the tug turning directly away from me.
But after observing him for awhile, I noticed he was operating a greatly reduced speed. Later, it occurred to me that he might have been waiting for me to give him safe maneuvering room. Finally this was confirmed by his two blasts then I heard his engines rev up again.
Now I am conscience of the fact that the tug captain is out there making a living and I would no way intentionally cause any disruption to him performing his job. Had he hailed me on the VHF I would have made my intentions known. I even would have started my engine to clear the channel quicker if that would have increased his comfort level.
While it is hard to judge distance over water, how much separation should I have maintained between us? My thinking was that as long I am operating outside of the channel I wouldn’t be impeding his movement. He might have thought differently.
BTW, after the sun set, the wind did pick back up for a great moonlight sail.View attachment 149551
Sorry, but that is not the reality of the real world. I have given up trying to hail any commercial vessel on 16. I'd guess i got about 10% success vs about 80% success hailing on 13; especially by name. This is from 7 years of full time cruising the east coast and the inland riversMost modern FM Marine radios have a "Scanner" to scan preset channels fast.
FM Ch16 monitoring is required by all barges for hailing and emergency.
Jim...
I'm not Cowpokee but...Cowpokee: Where were you sailing? I'm stumped by barges in a reservoir.
Only judging by the picture I think you did stay far enough away.
+1Quite often, especially in rivers or the ICW, tugs and barges are operating on the very edge of control. Rounding bends or setting up for a bridge when the current is running, they may not have the ability to avoid another craft. Therefor obviously, one should keep well clear of them and not expect them to be on the most obvious course...