Calling the Harbor Master

[C. C. & Company]

Hi All,
What is the preferred ettiquette/verbage to contact a harbor master on the radio to announce your arrival to port?
How close are you when you contact them?
Is it also an option to call on your cell phone?
Thanks

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

On the radio just use the same language you would use when talking to the coast guard on 16, be brief and state your vessel name and position and intentions. Definitely call on phone ahead of time to see if there any things to know before going. I did that yesterday with the Annapolis harbor master to see if there are, and what the anchoring restrictions are for the 4th fireworks. We will be anchoring inSpa Creek for the fireworks and parade. Happy 4th.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I hail within visual of the marina. Not all harbormasters have phone access, so I prefer VHF over cell in most situations.

As far as etiquette is concerned, use low power on your radio. There's no reason to hit them with high wattage when they could hear you yell or whistle!

...not to mention, if you DO use high wattage, you might get a sarcastic rant that sounds something like "vessel in Lake St. Clair hailing Harbor Hill Marina IN DETROIT, we read you 80 miles away in Ohio. Please locate and use the Low Power Button on your radio!"

 

[fwebster]

Don't confuse trip planning with harbor arrival calls. Before you leave home you should have made reservations, researched the harbor thoroughly, written down contact info like hailing channels, cell #"s general phone #'s, slip assignments, etc. as well as looked up a diagram of the marina so you have a general ideal of the approach. If you are prepared, all you need to do is hail the harbor master when the marina or its entrance channel is in sight. If you need to buy fuel, that is the time to let them know so they won't send dock hands to the transient slips in the marina just to find out you need fuel they should be at the fuel dock instead.

 

[wetpaint]

Amen Frank

 

[C. C. & Company]

Thanks for the input,
All reservations, hailing channels, names and numbers(for late arrival) have been previously secured - except for slip assignment.
Everyone have a great 4th!

 

[RollerCoastr]

where ya headed?

 

[C. C. & Company]

From the Detroit River up to East Tawas in Lake Huron.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Great post Frank...

 

[Gofirstclass]

Have fun in Tawas. There's a great ice cream place just across US-23 and a bit north of the main drag.

 

[C. C. & Company]

Thanks First Class, The ice cream shop is called Marion's. We had a great trip. Left Thursday morning and got back Sunday night. Weather was perfect and smooth seas for most of the way. The boat just purred all the way.

 

[tc410]

Back to the original topic here for a second.... One other suggestion that I have is that on my day of departure, I always radio the harbor master after I pull out to let them know the slip is vacant and ready for the next boat. They seem to appreciate being able to update their roster without neeeding to do a visual walkthrough. Ok, back to Tawas.... Love it there, but haven't been back in years.