Emergency Radio Procedures / How to read and say GPS coordinates

hynespa

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2010
314
Marina Del Rey, CA
Boat Info
2005 420 Sundancer
Engines
T-VD-8.1 S HO MerCruiser (T-420 hp)
I developed the attached emergency procedures with the idea that family / friends would know what to do if we had an emergency. I made it with an assumption that I was either overboard, medically incapacitated, injured, etc and they would have to know how to work the radio and relay our coordinates to responders.

One thing that struck me is how different GPS devices / apps report coordinates different. Some use degrees/minutes/seconds, while others use decimals or a hybrid. I don't know how often this causes confusion for the USCG or other first responders? At the beginning of each season I have the family practice reading GPS coordinates from each device and learning how to properly communicate them orally depending on how the device displays them. I laminated this on bright yellow card stock and keep it near the helm / radio whenever we are underway.

On the back I show both how to display GPS coordinates on various devices (including the iPhone) and where various emergency equipment is and go over it with the family at the beginning of the season.

Thank god we have not had to use in an actual emergency!!

FRONT SIDE:
Screen Shot 2018-09-20 at 8.09.08 AM.png


BACK SIDE:
Screen Shot 2018-09-20 at 8.09.35 AM.png
 
Two observations? 1.) 15 steps is probably way, way too much for most people to deal with in a real emergency. 2.) Having numeric digits in your boat name seems like it could create some confusion in an emergency call scenario such as this.

You've got far too new and fantastic of a boat to not have a VHF capable of AIS/Distress calling with the press of a single button! :)
 
Two observations? 1.) 15 steps is probably way, way too much for most people to deal with in a real emergency. 2.) Having numeric digits in your boat name seems like it could create some confusion in an emergency call scenario such as this.

You've got far too new and fantastic of a boat to not have a VHF capable of AIS/Distress calling with the press of a single button! :)
Amen! My wife was actually happy I spent money...on the new radio with the gps/distress built in once I explained it all to her.
 
As a person who boats in a variety of waters, one advantage of VHS over Rescue 21 is VHS goes out to all Boaters with VHF radios monitoring channel 16.

In an boating emergency, I would want response time over anything else.

But then again, I believe professionals built the Titanic and armatures built the Arc.
 
Two observations? 1.) 15 steps is probably way, way too much for most people to deal with in a real emergency. 2.) Having numeric digits in your boat name seems like it could create some confusion in an emergency call scenario such as this.

You've got far too new and fantastic of a boat to not have a VHF capable of AIS/Distress calling with the press of a single button! :)

Hey @Stee6043 and @Fat Tony - I appreciate the feedback!

The 15 steps I plagiarized from here: https://www.defender.com/pdf/MAYDAY.pdf which in turn were plagiarized from the Coast Guard vessel safety / rescue guidelines. I agree it can be alot of information to convey - but it's meant as a guide for the type of info you might need to relay in an emergency.

As far as the boat name - the ironic thing is that my old Searay was just named "Hynesight" which is a play on our last name. However they guy I sold my old Searay to decided he liked the name and wanted to to keep it - strange because his name isn't at all similar. So much to my wife's chagrin I added the 2020 to the name of the new Searay.

I also hear you about AIS - that may be a future upgrade for me. My observation there is that if the boat had a general power failure during an emergency - I would still probably want the family to be aware of a way to get vital information like position from backup devices (iPhone / Bad Elf) and be able to communicate that over the handheld VHF or cell phone. I'm also aware even with AIS working, they would still need to think about communicating other information such as medical/injuries or if the vessel was taking on water, etc.
 
Guys, in this context, you're actually referring to the functionality of DSC, not AIS.

Equipment that transmits AIS signals is still relatively expensive, but the good news is, that doesn't matter. DSC is what enables the "Distress" function, and DSC radios are CHEAP!

If your VHF isn't DSC-capable, throw it away and get one that is. Then make sure it has either built-in GPS or is attached to a source of GPS position data and program it with an MMSI.
 
Hey @Stee6043 and @Fat Tony - I appreciate the feedback!

The 15 steps I plagiarized from here: https://www.defender.com/pdf/MAYDAY.pdf which in turn were plagiarized from the Coast Guard vessel safety / rescue guidelines. I agree it can be alot of information to convey - but it's meant as a guide for the type of info you might need to relay in an emergency.

As far as the boat name - the ironic thing is that my old Searay was just named "Hynesight" which is a play on our last name. However they guy I sold my old Searay to decided he liked the name and wanted to to keep it - strange because his name isn't at all similar. So much to my wife's chagrin I added the 2020 to the name of the new Searay.

I also hear you about AIS - that may be a future upgrade for me. My observation there is that if the boat had a general power failure during an emergency - I would still probably want the family to be aware of a way to get vital information like position from backup devices (iPhone / Bad Elf) and be able to communicate that over the handheld VHF or cell phone. I'm also aware even with AIS working, they would still need to think about communicating other information such as medical/injuries or if the vessel was taking on water, etc.
I for one am not discounting your planning/training etc...just that if possible, I want it to be as easy as possible for her/me, before having to go to all the other steps etc. We've taken the same courses and done the same cruising. We all know Murphy will probably pay a visit anyhow...
 
Hey @Stee6043 and @Fat Tony - I appreciate the feedback!

The 15 steps I plagiarized from here: https://www.defender.com/pdf/MAYDAY.pdf which in turn were plagiarized from the Coast Guard vessel safety / rescue guidelines. I agree it can be alot of information to convey - but it's meant as a guide for the type of info you might need to relay in an emergency.

As far as the boat name - the ironic thing is that my old Searay was just named "Hynesight" which is a play on our last name. However they guy I sold my old Searay to decided he liked the name and wanted to to keep it - strange because his name isn't at all similar. So much to my wife's chagrin I added the 2020 to the name of the new Searay.

I also hear you about AIS - that may be a future upgrade for me. My observation there is that if the boat had a general power failure during an emergency - I would still probably want the family to be aware of a way to get vital information like position from backup devices (iPhone / Bad Elf) and be able to communicate that over the handheld VHF or cell phone. I'm also aware even with AIS working, they would still need to think about communicating other information such as medical/injuries or if the vessel was taking on water, etc.

That's a solid point on the cell phone. Even though my wife is fully aware of the operation of the distress button on VHF I'd bet a dollar she'd grab her cell phone first if something bad happened to me. The way we boat we're rarely out of cell range at any rate.

I have an EPIRB on board as well. But if I had to chose between VHF with AIS/DSC and an EPIRB I think the money is better spent on the VHF. They are more useful overall and more fun to tinker with.
 
Guys, in this context, you're actually referring to the functionality of DSC, not AIS.

Equipment that transmits AIS signals is still relatively expensive, but the good news is, that doesn't matter. DSC is what enables the "Distress" function, and DSC radios are CHEAP!

If your VHF isn't DSC-capable, throw it away and get one that is. Then make sure it has either built-in GPS or is attached to a source of GPS position data and program it with an MMSI.

Quite right...sorry for the bad info. Last year I picked up the Standard Horizon 1700. DSC....no AIS. Looks like the 2200 has AIS for $100 more.
 
Guys, in this context, you're actually referring to the functionality of DSC, not AIS.

Equipment that transmits AIS signals is still relatively expensive, but the good news is, that doesn't matter. DSC is what enables the "Distress" function, and DSC radios are CHEAP!

If your VHF isn't DSC-capable, throw it away and get one that is. Then make sure it has either built-in GPS or is attached to a source of GPS position data and program it with an MMSI.

I was only talking about the DSC...however, not that I've tried, but as I understand the AIS on my radio, it shows ships/boats that are indeed broadcasting their location/information and one function is the ability to call them. Isn't it conceivable that one could select a nearby ship/boat and ask them for help?
 
Not sure what you're worried about...your boat will never sink with that many PFDs on board!

Just for comparison, this is what I did.

Screenshot_20180920-155425_Docs.jpg
Screenshot_20180920-155448_Docs.jpg
 
I was only talking about the DSC...however, not that I've tried, but as I understand the AIS on my radio, it shows ships/boats that are indeed broadcasting their location/information and one function is the ability to call them. Isn't it conceivable that one could select a nearby ship/boat and ask them for help?

Yep, it's conceivable, but not advised. In an emergency, the Distress button (assuming fully-enabled DSC) is the better way to go.
 
Yep - it's certainly possible. The problem with that they may not be in a position/situation to help, so the distressed vessel risks rejection and losing precious time.
 
Guys, in this context, you're actually referring to the functionality of DSC, not AIS.

Equipment that transmits AIS signals is still relatively expensive, but the good news is, that doesn't matter. DSC is what enables the "Distress" function, and DSC radios are CHEAP!

If your VHF isn't DSC-capable, throw it away and get one that is. Then make sure it has either built-in GPS or is attached to a source of GPS position data and program it with an MMSI.

Thanks for the post @RollerCoastr - My Sea Ray is equipped with the DSC capable IC-M400BB with the HM-195B COMMANDMIC. I have not used DSC (I find it needlessly complex) - but I am going to go back to my emergency instructions and amend them to use the Distress button / function - as well as show the family where the button is located.

I actually went through some DSC / MMSI drama when I first bought the boat. The previous owner had registered the MMSI and Boat U.S. would not transfer it to me without the previous owner's consent. The only other option was to rip the radio out of the boat and send it back to the factory for a reset. The previous owner initially ignored my request for him to send an email to Boat US giving permission - but eventually a couple months later - I finally got him to do it. Probably a tip for anybody buying a previously owned boat - make sure as part of the escrow/close you get the PO to give permission to transfer the MMSI otherwise you will incur an additional expense sending the radio back to the factory.
 
Good tip.

I recently bought a used Garmin MFD, so it was assigned to someone's account. Garmin's policy was simple and fair: they attempt to contact the registered owner. If that person doesn't respond or deny the transfer in a given time window, they release it. Boat US should do the same, but maybe there's too much "government" involved to make something simple/convenient.
 
As a person who boats in a variety of waters, one advantage of VHS over Rescue 21 is VHS goes out to all Boaters with VHF radios monitoring channel 16.

In an boating emergency, I would want response time over anything else.

But then again, I believe professionals built the Titanic and armatures built the Arc.
Not sure what you're trying to say with regard to VHF versus Rescue 21 but there's obviously some confusion. Maybe I can help clear it up. For those who don't know the term Rescue 21, it's the Coast Guard's advanced command, control, communications and direction finding system developed and deployed throughout the US to located mariners in distress. It is the heart of the Coast Guard rescue operations and saves lives daily. The system has been integral to over 100,000 SAR operations since it's deployment in 2005. If you have a DSC equipped VHF radio, Rescue 21 records your location the moment you key the mic. No system is a replacement for good emergency procedures, but Rescue 21 is one of those behind-the-scenes capabilities that greatly improves accuracy and efficiency when it's needed most.
 
Not sure what you're trying to say with regard to VHF versus Rescue 21 but there's obviously some confusion. Maybe I can help clear it up. For those who don't know the term Rescue 21, it's the Coast Guard's advanced command, control, communications and direction finding system developed and deployed throughout the US to located mariners in distress. It is the heart of the Coast Guard rescue operations and saves lives daily. The system has been integral to over 100,000 SAR operations since it's deployment in 2005. If you have a DSC equipped VHF radio, Rescue 21 records your location the moment you key the mic. No system is a replacement for good emergency procedures, but Rescue 21 is one of those behind-the-scenes capabilities that greatly improves accuracy and efficiency when it's needed most.
@gmacd81 - Is Rescue 21 able to detect your position if just hailing over Ch16 on a DSC radio, or do you need to push the DSC distress button for Rescue 21 to see your position?
 
D26EFE44-4B81-41CE-A3C3-7B11D35B696E.jpeg
So, to answer the op's original question.

N 44° 37' 22" W 085° 22' 24" = North forty four degrees, thirty seven minutes, twenty two seconds by West Zero Eight Five degrees, twenty two minutes, twenty four seconds.
Hey @techmitch - some devices (Like the Bad Elf GPS PRO) show location like this:
33.983341° N
118.448265° W

In that case would you say “thirty three point nine eight three three four one degrees North by one hundred eighteen point four four eight two six five degrees West”?
 

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