How they do it in England
As a recent immigrant to BC who enjoys sailing here, I have struggled with the differences in the use of the VHF. I worked as a crew-member on an RNLI lifeboat near London and Radio operator was my prime function so here's my observations. - In Britain, training and an operator's licence are mandatory and there are stiff fines for non-qualified persons using a VHF - The exception is in an emergency situation when anyone can use the radio to call for help. - Non-qualified persons MAY use the VHF under the supervision on a qualified operator and this is how we train the kids. - Yes there are still careless people who allow their kids to play with the radio, but I suspect a little less than here as the Coastguard are very strict on protocol and will fine if they can pinpoint your signal. - Routine radio check IS conducted on Ch16 and yes, it is annoying. My solution is to combine a radio check with a 'routine traffic' broadcast to the coastguard. Call on 16 asking for 'routine traffic', Coastguard will transfer you to their working channel (67 in UK, 9 here?) and call you back. Give details of vessel, persons on board, safety equipment, port of origin, destination and ETA. Coastguard will thank you for the information - it makes their job MUCH easier if they have a report of a vessel in distress that might be you! DON'T FORGET - to notify them when you reach your destination, otherwise they may send-out a SAR as you will be deemed overdue! It was hearing a real mayday while sailing to France which inspired me to volunteer for the RNLI, the fear in the skipper's voice was VERY real so pray that it never happens to you, and treat your radio like the life-saving piece of equipment that it is!!
