While searching for election news, I came across this "old" news. I had never heard of this particular news item before and was surprised to see it. I often hear false distress calls - usually children - but some people never grow up. Maybe a fine and a few months in the grey hotel will help this guy grow up. March 09, 2004 Man sentenced for false distress call According to an article in the Washington State News, an Aberdeen, Washington, man has just received a major fine of $194,000 (US), plus a year in the "slammer" for making a false "MAYDAY" call on his marine radio. If anybody thinks that a false "MAYDAY" is no big deal, think again! To learn the DO's and DON'T's of a legitimate "MAYDAY", take a look at this article on Emergency Radio Usage. And, as long as we're talking about marine radio usage here, look at Non-emergency Radio Usage as well. Does everyone know what the term "WILCO" means?
Man sentenced for false distress call
- Thread starter patrick
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WILCO
Thanks for the info as this stuff should get more press. Knowing that there are consequences could help cut down on the false calls. I wonder how much an average false MAYDAY costs the taxpayer for the CG response. There is a good explanation of WILCO at http://ac6v.com/73.htm#roger WILCO should not be used with the word ROGER, as in ROGER WILCO. ROGER means that you understand and WILCO means that you understand and will comply. ROGER WILCO therefore means that you understand and you understand and will comply. And it's a little know fact that MAYDAY is the phonetic pronounciation of the reflexive French expression for "Help Me".
Thanks for the info as this stuff should get more press. Knowing that there are consequences could help cut down on the false calls. I wonder how much an average false MAYDAY costs the taxpayer for the CG response. There is a good explanation of WILCO at http://ac6v.com/73.htm#roger WILCO should not be used with the word ROGER, as in ROGER WILCO. ROGER means that you understand and WILCO means that you understand and will comply. ROGER WILCO therefore means that you understand and you understand and will comply. And it's a little know fact that MAYDAY is the phonetic pronounciation of the reflexive French expression for "Help Me".
Over
While we're on this topic... my military police training in proper radio use was to NEVER say "over
While we're on this topic... my military police training in proper radio use was to NEVER say "over
I remember
when we last lived in San Diego (and moving back this Feb, so I will have to wait to reply about winter sailing
) that there was a faske distress call and many hours were wasted by the same lifesavers that you and I could rely on. I am actually in favor of harsh sentences (maybe not 200K and a year in the pookey) for people who waste our lifesavers time. On the side, Securite, pan pan, and mayday are all from the french. WILCO is actually reserved for the CO of a unit and it means "will comply"
when we last lived in San Diego (and moving back this Feb, so I will have to wait to reply about winter sailing
) that there was a faske distress call and many hours were wasted by the same lifesavers that you and I could rely on. I am actually in favor of harsh sentences (maybe not 200K and a year in the pookey) for people who waste our lifesavers time. On the side, Securite, pan pan, and mayday are all from the french. WILCO is actually reserved for the CO of a unit and it means "will comply"Fake distress calls
Has anyone seen the TV commercial (for who knows what) where some guy on an island pretends to be in distress to lure a rescue helicopter in? Once they land to assist, he pulls off his fake beard, jumps up and he and his hidden wife laugh at his great joke. What the heck is that all about. Talk about irresponsible marketing!! Obviously I know that it isn't real, but it really sends the wrong message. It will make some fools think that faking a distress call is a laugh riot.
Has anyone seen the TV commercial (for who knows what) where some guy on an island pretends to be in distress to lure a rescue helicopter in? Once they land to assist, he pulls off his fake beard, jumps up and he and his hidden wife laugh at his great joke. What the heck is that all about. Talk about irresponsible marketing!! Obviously I know that it isn't real, but it really sends the wrong message. It will make some fools think that faking a distress call is a laugh riot.
Not only did we see it...
... we discussed it on trailersailor. Here was Capital One's response to my emailed complaint.
... we discussed it on trailersailor. Here was Capital One's response to my emailed complaint.
Simple Solution
Put the person making the fake distress call on an anchored boat with a leak and a bucket with a whole in it. Have Jaws playing on a continuous loop. When they make the distress call the response will be " Sorry Sir you have called "wolf" once too often". Fred, maybe I am too obtuse. Why would volunteer fireman make false Mayday calls? These guys do wonderful things often at great risk and do not get paid for it I do not think we can say enough about them.
Put the person making the fake distress call on an anchored boat with a leak and a bucket with a whole in it. Have Jaws playing on a continuous loop. When they make the distress call the response will be " Sorry Sir you have called "wolf" once too often". Fred, maybe I am too obtuse. Why would volunteer fireman make false Mayday calls? These guys do wonderful things often at great risk and do not get paid for it I do not think we can say enough about them.
Rick you're right of course
I was a volunteer and a pro firefighter too, before a career in police work. I think they are the greatest,,,,but,,, (and I was talking about associative behavior, IE; Arson) In law enforcement you have GOT to look at the obvious. Think about child rape and the need for extensive employee screening in the child care field. Lot's of us have the cure for that crime. Pick your caliber.
I was a volunteer and a pro firefighter too, before a career in police work. I think they are the greatest,,,,but,,, (and I was talking about associative behavior, IE; Arson) In law enforcement you have GOT to look at the obvious. Think about child rape and the need for extensive employee screening in the child care field. Lot's of us have the cure for that crime. Pick your caliber.
Fred, We Have Already Talked About That Very Thing
A 12 ounce round to the head followed by a flare in the chest and then fed to the bears, or down here to the gators. We have bears as well but the gators are bigger. http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?fno=122&uid=73209962811&SKU=2004283074029.7 This is a picture of a dear who got too close, last time he'll make that mistake or any other for that matter.
A 12 ounce round to the head followed by a flare in the chest and then fed to the bears, or down here to the gators. We have bears as well but the gators are bigger. http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?fno=122&uid=73209962811&SKU=2004283074029.7 This is a picture of a dear who got too close, last time he'll make that mistake or any other for that matter.
Rescue 21
I hear the USCG is stepping up its abilty to better pinpoint radio transmissions through the "Rescue 21" program. Any word on how that's coming along?
I hear the USCG is stepping up its abilty to better pinpoint radio transmissions through the "Rescue 21" program. Any word on how that's coming along?
Rescue 21 Press Release
United States Coast Guard Rescue 21 Communications & Outreach Plan Project Backgrounder Calling America’s Lifesaver The U.S. Coast Guard — “America’s Shield of Freedom” — provides an invaluable service to citizens of this nation. As the round-the-clock protector of America’s inland waterways and coastlines (including 361 ports and harbors) the Coast Guard provides a myriad of services along roughly 95,000 miles of U.S. coastlines. These services include: • Search and rescue (SAR) missions to aid both recreational boaters and commercial mariners; • Law enforcement activities such as drug interdiction and immigration patrols; • Expanded national defense and homeland security duties in support of the war on terrorism; • Environmental response to assist in the cleanup of oil and chemical spills; and • Other operations in support of maritime safety and security. The Coast Guard is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Tom Ridge, Secretary). Expanding Mission The Coast Guard is best known worldwide for its search and rescue (SAR) mission expertise that dates back more than 200 years to the earliest days of the Revenue Cutter Service and Life-Saving Service. Today, despite the nation’s best efforts to prevent maritime accidents, the Coast Guard responds to approximately 60,000 emergency calls and saves nearly 5,000 lives in an average year. In addition to responding to communications from other Coast Guard Stations and vessels, Coast Guard watchstanders respond to emergency signals and calls that are delivered from civilian commercial and recreational boaters via cell phones, handheld VHF signals, Marine VHF signals, HF and MF signals, flares, flash lights, and flags. Coast Guard SAR response involves multi-mission Stations, cutters, aircraft, and boats linked by communications networks. The National SAR Plan divides the U.S. area of responsibility into internationally recognized inland and maritime SAR regions, with the Coast Guard acting as the maritime SAR coordinator. To meet this responsibility, the Coast Guard maintains SAR facilities on the East, West, and Gulf coasts, in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico, as well as on the Great Lakes and inland U.S. waterways. U.S. Coast Guard Rescue 21 Press Kit Backgrounder Page 1 of 2 United States Coast Guard Rescue 21 Communications & Outreach Plan U.S. Coast Guard Rescue 21 Press Kit Backgrounder Page 2 of 2 Communication Limitations The communications network that currently acts as the backbone to the Coast Guard’s SAR efforts is the National Distress and Response System (NDRS). Established more than 30 years ago as a sort of “maritime 911,” this VHF-FM-based system has a range of up to 20 nautical miles along most of the U.S. shoreline. While this system has served the Coast Guard well over the years, it consists of out-of-date and non-uniform equipment and includes numerous communications limitations. These limitations include: • Limited direction finding capability; • Numerous communications coverage gaps; • Lack of communications interoperability with Coast Guard’s various partners and customers; and • Single channel radio operation, which prohibits the ability to receive radio calls when the system is engaged in a transmission. The Solution: Rescue 21 In October of 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard began modernizing the 30-year-old NDRS. The Coast Guard’s antiquated SAR communications and data systems technology is being replaced by newer, more advanced, and more effective communications technology developed by General Dynamics Decision Systems under a project called “Rescue 21.” System implementation of Rescue 21 kicks off in Financial Year (FY) 2003. Deployment plans call for completion of system installation in all 46 Coast Guard regions coast-to-coast by the end of FY 2006. About Rescue 21 Rescue 21 is an advanced search and rescue (SAR) communications system that helps the Coast Guard more effectively locate and assist boaters in distress. The new system — fully operational by September 2006 — replaces the Coast Guard’s current communications system, the National Distress Response System (NDRS), built in the 1970s. Among other capabilities, Rescue 21 enhances line-of-site coverage, increases position localization on a VHF-FM transmission, increases the number of voice and data channels from one to six, and improves communications and information sharing between Coast Guard units and their federal, state, and local partners. Rescue 21 will save lives in the 21st century.
United States Coast Guard Rescue 21 Communications & Outreach Plan Project Backgrounder Calling America’s Lifesaver The U.S. Coast Guard — “America’s Shield of Freedom” — provides an invaluable service to citizens of this nation. As the round-the-clock protector of America’s inland waterways and coastlines (including 361 ports and harbors) the Coast Guard provides a myriad of services along roughly 95,000 miles of U.S. coastlines. These services include: • Search and rescue (SAR) missions to aid both recreational boaters and commercial mariners; • Law enforcement activities such as drug interdiction and immigration patrols; • Expanded national defense and homeland security duties in support of the war on terrorism; • Environmental response to assist in the cleanup of oil and chemical spills; and • Other operations in support of maritime safety and security. The Coast Guard is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Tom Ridge, Secretary). Expanding Mission The Coast Guard is best known worldwide for its search and rescue (SAR) mission expertise that dates back more than 200 years to the earliest days of the Revenue Cutter Service and Life-Saving Service. Today, despite the nation’s best efforts to prevent maritime accidents, the Coast Guard responds to approximately 60,000 emergency calls and saves nearly 5,000 lives in an average year. In addition to responding to communications from other Coast Guard Stations and vessels, Coast Guard watchstanders respond to emergency signals and calls that are delivered from civilian commercial and recreational boaters via cell phones, handheld VHF signals, Marine VHF signals, HF and MF signals, flares, flash lights, and flags. Coast Guard SAR response involves multi-mission Stations, cutters, aircraft, and boats linked by communications networks. The National SAR Plan divides the U.S. area of responsibility into internationally recognized inland and maritime SAR regions, with the Coast Guard acting as the maritime SAR coordinator. To meet this responsibility, the Coast Guard maintains SAR facilities on the East, West, and Gulf coasts, in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico, as well as on the Great Lakes and inland U.S. waterways. U.S. Coast Guard Rescue 21 Press Kit Backgrounder Page 1 of 2 United States Coast Guard Rescue 21 Communications & Outreach Plan U.S. Coast Guard Rescue 21 Press Kit Backgrounder Page 2 of 2 Communication Limitations The communications network that currently acts as the backbone to the Coast Guard’s SAR efforts is the National Distress and Response System (NDRS). Established more than 30 years ago as a sort of “maritime 911,” this VHF-FM-based system has a range of up to 20 nautical miles along most of the U.S. shoreline. While this system has served the Coast Guard well over the years, it consists of out-of-date and non-uniform equipment and includes numerous communications limitations. These limitations include: • Limited direction finding capability; • Numerous communications coverage gaps; • Lack of communications interoperability with Coast Guard’s various partners and customers; and • Single channel radio operation, which prohibits the ability to receive radio calls when the system is engaged in a transmission. The Solution: Rescue 21 In October of 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard began modernizing the 30-year-old NDRS. The Coast Guard’s antiquated SAR communications and data systems technology is being replaced by newer, more advanced, and more effective communications technology developed by General Dynamics Decision Systems under a project called “Rescue 21.” System implementation of Rescue 21 kicks off in Financial Year (FY) 2003. Deployment plans call for completion of system installation in all 46 Coast Guard regions coast-to-coast by the end of FY 2006. About Rescue 21 Rescue 21 is an advanced search and rescue (SAR) communications system that helps the Coast Guard more effectively locate and assist boaters in distress. The new system — fully operational by September 2006 — replaces the Coast Guard’s current communications system, the National Distress Response System (NDRS), built in the 1970s. Among other capabilities, Rescue 21 enhances line-of-site coverage, increases position localization on a VHF-FM transmission, increases the number of voice and data channels from one to six, and improves communications and information sharing between Coast Guard units and their federal, state, and local partners. Rescue 21 will save lives in the 21st century.
More French Lessons
At the risk of being picky and to demonstrate my "prowess" in our other official language; As Bob explains the term "May Day" is really M'aidez (not M'aidre - sorry Bob and pronounced exactly the same as "May Day")which is the Imerative form of the less urgent expression "Vous m'aidez" or literally "you help me!" (i.e Help me, Help me) Pan Pan is the equivalent of "panne panne" in French. In France, when you call your wife from the side of the road on your cell, you would explain, "Ma chere, ma voiture est en panne." which means my car is broken down or out of gas. (It is pronounced "pan" as in saucepan not pon - sorry Peggy) Securite (pronounced "securitay") means "warning" or "safety measure" Sorry, if I'm being anal! Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
At the risk of being picky and to demonstrate my "prowess" in our other official language; As Bob explains the term "May Day" is really M'aidez (not M'aidre - sorry Bob and pronounced exactly the same as "May Day")which is the Imerative form of the less urgent expression "Vous m'aidez" or literally "you help me!" (i.e Help me, Help me) Pan Pan is the equivalent of "panne panne" in French. In France, when you call your wife from the side of the road on your cell, you would explain, "Ma chere, ma voiture est en panne." which means my car is broken down or out of gas. (It is pronounced "pan" as in saucepan not pon - sorry Peggy) Securite (pronounced "securitay") means "warning" or "safety measure" Sorry, if I'm being anal! Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
I dunno how the French pronounce it on land...
But the internationally accepted pronunciation of "pan pan" is "pon pon" when used on a marine radio.
But the internationally accepted pronunciation of "pan pan" is "pon pon" when used on a marine radio.
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