Using A Marine Radio

The accepted conventions for use of marine radio are collectively termed "proper operating procedure."

These conventions include:
o Listening for 2 minutes before transmitting
o Using Channel 16 only to establish communication (if necessary) and then switch to a different channel, using a set of international "calling" procedures such as the "Mayday" distress call, the "Pan-pan" urgency call and "Securité" navigational hazard call.

o Using "pro-words" based on the English language –
o Acknowledge,
o All after,
o All before,
o All stations,
o Confirm,
o Correct,
o Correction,
o In figures,
o In letters,
o Over,
o Out,
o Radio check,
o Read back,
o Received,
o Repeat,
o Say again,
o Spell,
o Standby,
o Station calling,
o This is,
o Wait,
o Word after,
o Word before,
o Wrong
o Using the NATO phonetic alphabet: (see later)
o Using a phonetic numbering system based on English


VHF Marine Radios: VHF marine radios are a great asset to all who use them. They are not chat lines however, and should be used for working messages only. Misuse of the equipment could disrupt other users within the area. All VHF radio users are legally required to hold an operators licence and he vessel to which the radio is fitted must have a ship radio licence. A 'station' is a term for a VHF Radio. As a general rule listen to the channel for 30 seconds before transmitting to ensure it is not already in use.

The Radio: All marine radio equipment must be approved according to government specifications. There is a maximum power output of 25W although 1W is usually sufficient for most activities other than distress calls or public correspondence.

Channel Purpose:
• 16 International Distress, safety and calling
• 6 Primary Inter ship
• 8, 72, 77 Inter ship
• 12, 14 Port Operations
• 67 Small Craft safety
• M, M2 Marina Special Licence
• 2, 24, 26, 28 Ship to shore (public correspondence)
• 6, 67, 73 Search And Rescue Co-ordination

VHF Signals: The range of VHF is line of sight and has an Inter-ship range of 15-25 miles. Ship to shore range is about 30-50 miles.
Dual Watch (D/W): a facility that allows you to monitor two channels via switching. Do not transmit on dual watch.

Digital Selective Calling: uses CRS but requires an additional kit for the radio set.

Capture Effect: when a receiver within range of two stations will receive only the more powerful or closer signal, the other signal will be lost.

Aerials - should be high and upright and clear of other aerials by at least 1M. An emergency aerial should also be carried.

Control of Communication
o Ship to shore - coast radio station
o Inter-ship - station calling
o Search and Rescue - Vessel in distress, relay station, Coastguard, on scene vessel / aircraft

Duration of Calls
o Test Call / Radio Check - 10 sec
o Calling on Channel 16 - 1 min
o Calling again on Channel 16 - 3 min
o Listen on channel before calling - 30 sec

Distress calls: Coastguard use GMT all year round. Each station has an obligation to respond to a distress call: write down time, name, position, nature of distress, no of people on board and additional information.

If the Coastguard says 'wait' this means they will respond within 10 minutes.

Any longer than that should be given a reason prior. Only repeat things three times if it is a distress call.

Otherwise use their name once and your name twice. Distress calls should make the following 7 points in order:

o Distress call
o Identity
o Position (Note that the position is given in geographical area as distance 'from object' not 'to object' when working out bearing. Otherwise use Lat. and Long.)
o Nature of distress
o Information for search and rescue
o Invitation to reply
o Message Meaning
o Mayday (Distress)

Definition: When a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance - fire, accident damage, lee shore situation (under lee shore is when you are sheltered by the shore), diver not surfaced, man lost overboard, person is gravely ill.

Example:

Mayday

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.

This is CRYPTIC, CRYPTIC, CRYPTIC,

MAYDAY CRYPTIC,

My position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1.

I am sinking and require immediate assistance

Four crew members on board, all safety equipment and

EPIRB at 406 MHz


Mayday Relay: Mayday relays are transmitted when the station in distress cannot itself transmit a distress signal or when, although not in a position to assist a distress message is heard that has not been acknowledged. Example:

MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY.

This is Yacht CRYPTIC, Yacht CRYPTIC, Yacht CRYPTIC,

MAYDAY Evelyn Rose.

Position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1.

Yacht sinking and requires immediate assistance

Four crew members on board, all safety equipment and
EPIRB at 406 MHz


Pan Pan: When a station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning safety of a ship, aircraft or person.

Example:

PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN

Hello all stations, Hello all stations, Hello all stations

This is Yacht CRYPTIC, Yacht CRYPTIC, Yacht CRYPTIC,

My position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1.

I have been in a collision and require assistance of a tug

Seelonce Mayday: Radio Silence: Imposing radio silence by controlling station

Seelonce Distress: Radio Silence: Issued by other station

Example:

MAYDAY - SEELONCE MAYDAY, SEELONCE MAYDAY, SEELONCE MAYDAY.

This is Severn Radio - Severn Radio - Out

Prudonce

Seelonce Feenee

Securite

Security, Security, Security

Hello all stations, Hello all stations, Hello all stations

This is Evelyn Rose, Evelyn Rose, Evelyn Rose

My position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1.

My engine has broken down and I am anchoring in a southbound traffic lane, Request ships keep clear, over.



NAME OF SHIP....................... CALL SIGN...................................


DISTRESS TRANSMITTING PROCEDURES
(For use only when Immediate Assistance required)

1.Ensure transmitter is switched to 156.8MHz.

2. If possible transmit two tone Alarm Signal for 1/2 to 1 minute.

3. Then say:

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
THIS IS..................... (Ship's name or call sign 3 times).......... MAYDAY

followed by ship's name or call sign

POSITION...............................................

Nature of distress....................................

Aid required............................... OVER

4. Listen for a reply and if none repeat above procedure, particularly during the 3-
minute silence period commencing at each hour and half-hour.

Example - If possible Alarm Signal followed by:
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.
This is EVELYN ROSE, EVELYN ROSE, EVELYN ROSE
MAYDAY, EVELYN ROSE

Position: 54 24 north 018 33 West.
I am on fire and require immediate assistance. OVER.




Common Terminology

All after - used after the proword 'SAY AGAIN' to request a repetition of a portion of a message.

All before - used after the proword 'SAY AGAIN to request a repetition of a portion of a message.

Correct - reply to repetition of a message that has been proceded by the proword's READ BACK FOR CHECK when it has been correctly repeated.

Correction - spoken during the transmission of a message means - An error has been made in this transmission. Cancel the last word or group. The correct word or group follows.

In Figures - the following numeral or-group of numerals are to be written as figures.

In Letters - the following numeral or group of numerals are to be written in letters as spoken.

I Read Back - if the receiving station is doubtful about the accuracy of the whole or any part of a message it may repeat it back to the sending station, preceding the repetition with the proword's I READ BACK

I State Again - I am repeating transmission or potion indicated.

I Spell - I shall spell the next word or group of letters phonetically.

Out - this is the end of working to you. The end of work between two stations is indicated by each station adding the word OUT at the end of the last reply.

Over - the invitation to reply. Note that the' phrase OVER AND OUT is never used.

Radio Check - please tell me the strength and the clarity of my transmission.

Received - used to acknowledge receipt of a message, i.e, YOUR NUMBER...RECEIVED. In cases of language difficulties, the word 'ROMEO' is used.

Say Again - repeat your message or portion referred to i.e., SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER... SAY AGAIN ADDRESS etc. (Note:- This is typical of the need to memorise all these catch phrases'. To use the word REPEAT would be wrong REPEAT is used to emphasise something).

Station Calling - used when a station receives a call, which is intended for it, but is uncertain of the identification of the calling station.

This Is - this transmission is from the station whose call sign immediately follows. In cases of language difficulties the abbreviation DE spoken as DELTA ECHO is used

Wait - if a called station is unable to accept traffic immediately it will reply to you with the proword WAIT....Minutes

If the probable duration of the waiting time exceeds 10 minutes the reason for the delay should be given.

Word After or Word Before - used after the proword SAY.

Again - to request repetition of a portion of a radiogram or message.

Wrong - reply to a repetition of a radio telegram that has been preceded by the proword's 'I READ BACK, when it has been incorrectly repeated.


The phonetic alphabet

A Alfa AL FAH
B Bravo BRAH VO
C Charlie CHAR LEE
D Delta DELL TAH
E Echo ECK OH
F Foxtrot FOKS TROT
G Golf GOLF
H Hotel HOH TELL
I India IN DEE AH
J Juliet JEW LEE ETT
K Kilo KEY LOH
L Lima LEE MAH
M Mike MIKE
N November NO VEM BER
O Oscar 0SS CAH
P Papa PAH PAH
Q Quebec KEH BECK
R Romeo ROW ME OH
S Sierra SEE AIR RAH
T Tango TANG GO
U Uniform YOU NEE FORM
V Victor VIK TAH
W Whiskey WISS KEY
X X-ray ECKS RAY
Y Yankee YANG KEY
Z Zulu ZOO LOO

The phonetic numbering system

o Wun
o Too
o Tree
o Fow-er
o Fife
o Six
o Sev-en
o Ait
o Nin-er
o Zero,
o Decimal

Knots

A

Adjustable bend - can be easily lengthened or shortened
Adjustable hitch (taut-line hitch) - adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension
Adjustable loop (slip knot) - attach a line to an object and tighten when tension is applied to the free end of the line
Albright knot (Albright special) - used to tie two different diameters of line together, for instance to tie monofilament to braid
Alpine coil (mountaineer's coil) - method used by climbers for carrying a rope
Alternate ring hitching - covering a ring in hitching can prevent damage
Anchor bend - attaching a rope to a ring or similar termination
Angler's knot (fisherman's knot) - a knot for joining two lines with a symmetrical structure
Angler's loop - knot which forms a fixed loop. Useful for fine or slippery line, it is one of the few loop knots which holds well in bungee cord.
Arbor knot - attach fishing line to the arbor of a fishing reel
Artillery loop aka manharness knot - a knot with a loop on the bight for non-critical purposes
Ashley's bend - used to securely join the ends of two ropes together
Ashley's stopper knot - trefoil-faced stopper at the end of the rope
Axle hitch - used to tie a hitch in a hard-to-reach place

B

Bachmann knot - friction hitch useful when the knot needs to be reset quickly/often
Bag knot (miller's knot) - binding knot used to secure the opening of a sack or bag
Bait loop (bumper knot) - secures soft or loose bait in fishing
Bale sling hitch - continuous loop of strap to form a cow hitch around an object
Barrel hitch (barrel sling) - suspends an object
Barrel knot (blood knot) - joins sections of monofilament nylon line while maintaining much of the line's inherent strength
Barrel sling (barrel hitch) - suspends an object
Becket hitch - any hitch made on an eye loop
Beer knot - bend used in tubular webbing as in slings used in rock climbing
Bimini twist - fishing knot used for offshore trolling and sportsfishing
Blackwall hitch - temporary means of attaching a rope to a hook
Blake's hitch - friction hitch commonly used by arborists and tree climbers as an ascending knot
Blood knot (barrel knot) - joins sections of monofilament nylon line while maintaining much of the line's inherent strength
Blood loop knot (dropper loop) - forms a loop which is off to the side of the line
Boa knot - binding knot
Boom hitch - attach a line to a fixed object like a pipe
Bottle sling (jug sling) - used to create a handle for a container with a narrow tapering neck
Bowen knot (heraldic knot) - not a true knot (an unknot), a continuous loop of rope laid out as an upright square shape with loops at each of the four corners
Bowline - forms a fixed loop at the end of a rope
Bowline on a bight - makes a pair of fixed-size loops in the middle of a rope
Bumper knot - secures soft or loose bait in fishing
Buntline hitch - attach a rope to an object
Butterfly bend - connects two ends of rope
Butterfly loop (alpine butterfly) - forms a fixed loop in the middle of a rope

C

Carrick bend - joins two lines of heavy rope or cable
Carrick mat - flat woven decorative knot which can be used as a mat or pad
Cat's paw - connects a rope to an object
Catshank - variant of the sheepshank, clinched by two overhand knots with the bights passed through the twists
Chain sinnet - method of shortening a rope or other cable
Chain stitch - a sewing and embroidery technique in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern
Cleat "knot"
Clove hitch - two successive half-hitches around an object
Common whipping - series of knots intended to stop a rope from unraveling
Constrictor knot - series of knots intended to stop a rope from unraveling
Continuous ring hitching - series of identical hitches made around a ring
Corned beef knot - binding knot often used for binding the meat of the same name while it is being cooked
Cow hitch - hitch knot used to attach a rope to an object
Cow hitch and bowline (bale sling hitch or strap hitch) - uses a continuous loop of strap to form a cow hitch around an object in order to hoist or lower it
Cowboy bowline - variation of the bowline loop knot

D

Diagonal lashing - lashing to bind spars or poles together to prevent racking
Diamond knot - (knife lanyard knot) for forming a decorative loop on the end of a cord
Directional figure eight - (inline figure-eight loop) loop knot that can be made on the bight
Distel hitch - sercure friction hitch used for rope climbing
Dogshank - variant of the sheepshank where the eyes formed at each end have the ends of the rope passed through
Double anchorman knot - two or more pieces of rope joined together
Double bowline - (round turn bowline) loop knot that uses a round turn
Double carrick bend - join two lines together
Double constrictor knot - binding knot that can be difficult to untie once tightened
Double Englishman's knot - (grapevine knot) joins two lengths of rope
Double figure eight bend - joins two ropes of roughly similar size
Double figure-eight loop - forms two parallel loops
Double figure eight - (stevedore knot) bulky stopper knot often tied near the end of a rope that is secure-when-slack
Double fisherman knot - (grapevine knot) joins two lengths of rope
Double loop - for making loops at the end of lines similar to the Surgeon's knot, but with a double strand
Double overhand - extension of the regular overhand knot, made with one additional pass
Double overhand noose - hitch knot used to bind a rope to a carabiner
Double pile hitch - attaches a rope to a pole or other structure
Double sheet bend - doubles a sheet bend by making an additional round turn below the first and again bringing the working end back under itself
Double windsor (for use in neckties) - method of tying a necktie around one's neck and collar
Dropper loop - forms a loop which is off to the side of the line
Dutch marine bowline - (cowboy bowline) variation of the bowline loop knot

E

Egg loop aka bumper knot - secures soft or loose bait in fishing applications
Englishman's knot - (fisherman's knot) a bend consisting of two overhand knots, each tied around the standing part of the other
Eskimo bowline - places a loop in the end of a rope
European death knot - (overhand bend) joins two ropes together
Eye splice - creates a permanent loop in the end of multi stranded rope by means of rope splicing

F

Falconer's knot - used in falconry to tether a bird of prey to a perch
Farmer's loop - midline loop knot made with a bight
Farrimond friction hitch - quick release adjustable friction hitch for use on lines under tension
Fiador knot - decorative, symmetrical knot used in equine applications
Figure-of-eight follow through - type of knot created by a loop on the bight
Figure-of-eight knot aka savoy knot, Flemish knot - type of knot created by a loop on the bight
Figure-of-eight loop - type of knot created by a loop on the bight
Fireman's chair knot - knot tied in the bight forming two adjustable, lockable loops
Fisherman's bend - (anchor bend) used for attaching a rope to a ring or similar termination
Fisherman's knot - knot for joining two lines with a symmetrical structure consisting of two overhand knots, each tied around the standing part of the other
Flemish bend - knot for joining two ropes of roughly similar size
Flemish knot aka figure-of-eight knot, savoy knot - knot for joining two ropes of roughly similar size
French bowline - variant of the bowline with two loops

G

Garda hitch - (alpine clutch) climbing knot that lets the rope move in only one direction
Granny knot - secures a rope or line around an object
Grief knot - (what knot) combines features of granny knot and thief knot
Ground-line hitch - attaches a rope to an object

H

Hackamore - type of animal headgear which does not have a bit
Half blood knot - (clinch knot) for securing a fishing line to a fishing lure, snap or swivel
Half hitch - simple overhand knot, where the working end of a line is brought over and under the standing part
Half-Windsor knot - knot used for tying neckties
Halter hitch - connects a rope to an object
Handcuff knot - tied in the bight, having two adjustable loops in opposing directions
Hangman's noose - well-known knot most often associated with its use in hanging a person
Harness bend - used to join two ropes together
Harness hitch - knot with a loop on the bight for non-critical purposes
Heaving line bend - used to attach playing strings to the thick silk eyes of the anchorage knot
Highwayman's hitch - insecure, quick-release, draw loop hitch for trivial use
Hitching tie - simple knot used to tie off drawstring bags that allows quick access
Honda knot aka lariat loop - loop knot commonly used in a lasso
Hunter's bend aka rigger's bend - joins two lines

I

Icicle hitch - excellent for connecting to a post when weight is applied to an end running parallel to the post in a specific direction
Improved clinch knot - used for securing a fishing line to the fishing lure
In-line figure 8 loop - loop knot that can be made on the bight
Italian hitch - simple knot commonly used by climbers and cavers as part of a life-lining or belay system

J

Jack Ketch's knot - well-known knot most often associated with its use in hanging a person
Jug sling aka bottle sling - used to create a handle for a glass or ceramic container with a slippery, narrow, tapering neck
Jury mast knot - for jury rigging a temporary mast on a sailboat or ship

K

Killick hitch - hitch knot used to attach a rope to oddly shaped objects
Klemheist knot - friction hitch that grips a rope when weight is applied, and is free to move when the weight is released
Knot of isis - ancient Egyptian symbol of the goddess Isis; similar to a knot used to secure the garments that the Egyptian gods wore
Karash Double Loop - A recently invented knot used to form leg loops as a make-shift harness

L

Lariat loop aka honda knot - loop knot commonly used in a lasso
Lark's foot - (cow hitch) used to attach a rope to an object
Lark's head - (cow hitch) used to attach a rope to an object
Left-hand bowline - variation of the bowline loop knot
Ligature knot aka surgeon's knot - simple modification to the reef knot that adds an extra twist when tying the first throw
Lighterman's hitch - ideal for heavy towing, or making fast to a post, bollard, or winch
Lineman's loop - (butterfly loop) used to form a fixed loop in the middle of a rope
Lissajous knot - knot defined by parametric equations
Lobster buoy hitch - similar to the buntline hitch, but made with a cow hitch around the standing part rather than a clove hitch

M

Magnus hitch (rolling hitch) - used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or other rope
Manharness knot (artillery loop) - knot with a loop on the bight for non-critical purposes
Matthew Walker's knot - decorative knot that is used to keep the end of a rope from fraying
Marlinespike hitch - temporary knot used to attach a rod to a rope in order to form a handle
Midshipman's hitch (taut-line hitch) - adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension
Miller's knot - binding knot used to secure the opening of a sack or bag
Monkey's fist - looks somewhat like a small bunched fist/paw, most often used as the weight in a heaving line
Mountaineer's coil - method used by climbers for carrying a rope
Munter hitch - simple knot commonly used by climbers and cavers as part of a life-lining or belay system

N

Nail knot - used in fly fishing to attach the leader to the fly line
Noose - loop at the end of a rope in which the knot slides to make the loop collapsible

O

One-sided overhand bend - used to join two ropes together
Ossel hitch - used to attach a rope or line to an object
Overhand bend - used to join two ropes together
Overhand knot with draw-loop - knot in which the weight of the load depresses the loop to keep it in place
Overhand knot aka thumb knot - fundamental knot that forms the basis of many others
Oysterman's stopper knot - common overhand noose, but with the end of the rope passing through the noose eye, which closes upon it

P

Packer's knot - binding knot which is easily pulled taut and quickly locked in position
Palomar knot - used for securing a fishing line to a fishing lure, snap or swivel
Pile hitch - used for attaching rope to a pole or other structure
Poldo tackle - an instant tension-applying and tension-releasing mechanism in rope
Pratt knot - a method of tying a tie around one's neck and collar
Pretzel link knot - in knot theory, a branch of mathematics, a pretzel link is a special kind of link
Prusik knot - friction hitch or knot used to put a loop of cord around a rope
Portuguese bowline aka French bowline - variant of the bowline with two loops that are adjustable in size
Portuguese whipping -
Power cinch - (trucker's hitch) commonly used for securing loads on trucks or trailers

R

Racking bend - knot for joining two ropes of different diameter
Reef knot - simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object
Rigger's bend aka hunter's bend - used to join two lines
Rigid double splayed loop in the bight - knot that contains two parallel loops
Ring bend - for joining two ends of webbing together
Ring hitch - used to attach a rope to an object
Ring knot - for joining two ends of webbing together
Rolling hitch - knot used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or other rope
Rosendahl bend - general purpose bend knot unique in the ease with which it is untied, even after heavy loading
Round turn and two half hitches - hitch used to secure the end of a rope to a fixed object
Round turn
Running knot - knots which attach a line to an object and tighten when tension is applied to the free end of the line

S

Sailor's hitch - a secure, jam-proof hitch
Sailors knot aka Carrick bend - used for joining two lines
Savoy knot aka Figure-of-eight knot, Flemish knot - decorative, heraldic knot
Sheepshank - used to store rope
Sheet bend - joins two ropes together
Siberian hitch - used to attach a rope to an object
Simple knot - (four-in-hand knot) a method of tying a necktie
Single carrick bend - refers to different knots similar to the Carrick bend
Single hitch - an overhand knot tied around or through an object
Slip knot - knots which attach a line to an object and tighten when tension is applied; a type of knot designed to bind one end of a rope to the middle of another
Slipped buntline hitch - used for attaching a rope to an object
Slippery eight loop - adjustable loop knot
Slippery hitch - used to attach a line to a rod or bar
Snell Knot
Snuggle hitch - a modification of the clove hitch
Span loop - non-jamming loop that can be tied in the middle of a rope
Spanish bowline - double loop knot
Splice - the forming of a semi-permanent joint between two ropes
Square knot - used to secure a rope or line around an object
Square lashing - used to bind poles together
Square turk's head - decorative knot with a variable number of interwoven strands, forming a closed loop
Stein knot - variation of the Figure 8 knot
Stevedore knot - a stopper knot often tied near the end of a rope
Strangle knot - a simple binding knot
Strap hitch - uses a continuous loop of strap to form a cow hitch around an object
Surgeon's knot aka ligature knot - modification to the reef knot
Surgeon's loop - similar to the Surgeon's knot but with a double strand
Schwabisch knot - friction hitch used for rope climbing

T

Tarbuck knot - used by climbers and was primarily used with stranded nylon rope
Taut-line hitch - adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension
Tent hitch - adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension
Thief knot - resembles the reef knot except that the free, or working, ends are on opposite sides
Thumb knot aka overhand knot - one of the most fundamental knots and forms the basis of many others
Tiggap knot
Timber hitch - used to attach a single length of rope to a cylindrical object
Tom fool's knot - good knot with which to commence a slightly fancy sheepshank
Trefoil knot - simplest example of a nontrivial knot in mathematics
Trident loop - fixed loop knot
Triple bowline - variation of the bowline knot that is used to create three loops on one knot simultaneously
Triple crown knot - double loop knot
Triple fisherman's knot - a bend knot used to join two ends of rope together
Trucker's hitch - used for securing loads on trucks or trailers
True lover's knot - a name which has been used for many distinct knots
Tug boat hitch - ideal for heavy towing, or making fast to a post, bollard, or winch
Turle knot - used while fishing for tying a hook or fly to a leader
Twined turk's head - decorative knot with a variable number of interwoven strands forming a closed loop
Two half hitches - an overhand knot tied around a post, followed by a half-hitch
Two strand overhand knot - used to join two ropes together

U

Underwriter's knot
Uni knot - fishing knot used to attach fishing line to the arbor of a reel

V

Valdotain tresse - easily adjustable friction hitch used for rope climbing
Versatackle knot - simulates a block and tackle without actual pulleys or deadeyes
Vibration-proof hitch - used for fastening a line or rope to a solid object

W

Wagoner's hitch - compound knot commonly used for securing loads on trucks or trailers
Water bowline - type of knot designed for use in wet conditions where other knots may slip or jam
Water knot - frequently used in climbing for joining two ends of webbing together
Waterman's knot - a bend with a symmetrical structure consisting of two overhand knots, each tied around the standing part of the other
West country whipping - uses twine to secure the end of a rope to prevent it fraying
Windsor knot - a method of tying a necktie around one's neck and collar

Y

Yosemite bowline - a medium security loop knot

Z

Zeppelin bend - a secure, easily tied, and jam-proof way to connect two ropes
Zeppelin loop - (Rosendahl Loop) a secure, jam resistant loop knot based on the zeppelin bend

Solstice

Solstice is derived from two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere" to cause to stand still.

The Winter Solstice marks the first day of the season of winter. It falls on or near 21 December. In the southern hemisphere, the Winter solstice is celebrated in June when the northern hemisphere celebrates the Summer solstice

The Winter solstice is the time in December when the sun reaches its southern most latitude and therefore appear at its lowest in the sky at noon. The Winter solstice is the shortest day.

This is because the North Pole leans away from the sun. After the Winter solstice the Sun follows a higher and higher path through the sky each day until it is in the sky for exactly 12 hours. This occurs on the Spring Equinox.

After the Spring Equinox, the Sun still continues to follow a higher and higher path through the sky, with the days growing longer and longer, until it reaches it highest point in the sky on the Summer Solstice.

International Flags & Pennants

First Aid Training - covered CPR, how to deal with choking and wound dressing

I went to Thirsk for a Yorkshire Ambulance Turst training session. Although an ambulance call out delayed me (!) - Huby had a major incident so I had to get around the Leeds ring road I was only a little late.

I learnt and practised (on the mannequins!) CPR or CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, which is a first aid technique that is used if someone is not breathing properly or if their heart has stopped. The real reason for doing it is simply that chest compressions and rescue breaths keep blood and oxygen circulating in the body.

If someone is not breathing normally and is not moving or responding to you after an accident,

1. Check the area for hazards - electricity, falling debris or structures, slips, etc. Is it safe for you?

2. If safe get to the casualty - if possible - from the feet first so they are not suprised if conscious. Get down to them and reassure them by holding their shoulders and speaking to them clearly in both ears (in case one doesn't work!).

3. With little or no response if someone else id around call for them to help and

4. Tell them to call 999 for an ambulance. When you call for an ambulance, telephone systems now exist that can give basic life-saving instructions, including advice on CPR. These are now common and are easily accessible with mobile phones.

5. Tell them to tell the ambulance dispatcher that the person is not responding and that CPR is being administered ...

IF THERE IS NO ONE ELSE CALL 999 BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE ... UNLESS THE CASUALTY IS SMALL ENOUGH TO CARRY _ then do 5 rescue breaths and administer CPR for a minute ... then carry them with you to dial 999.

6. start CPR straight away. Hands-only compression if there is any doubt given the high risk of mouth-to-mouth contamination. NOTE: The gold standard still is 30-2 CPR Mouth-To-Mouth.

7. To carry out a chest compression:

Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest.

Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers.

Using your body weight (lock out your arms and lean over using your upper body) press straight down by 5–6cm on their chest. STAYING ALIVE is the right rhythm.

Repeat this until an ambulance arrives.

Try to give 100 chest compressions a minute.

CPR with rescue breaths

Adults

Place your hands on the centre of the person's chest and, with the heel of your hand, press down by 5–6cm at a steady rate, slightly faster than one compression a second.

After every 30 chest compressions, give two breaths but tilt the casualty's head gently and lift the chin up with two fingers. Pinch the person’s nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth. Check that their chest rises. Give two rescue breaths, each over one second.

Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

Children over one year old


Open their airway by placing one hand on the child’s forehead and gently tilting their head back and lifting the chin.

Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose.

Pinch their nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth, checking that their chest rises. Give five initial rescue breaths. SAME FOR POSSIBLE DROWNING:

Place your hands on the centre of their chest and, with the heel of your hand, press down by one-third of the depth of the chest using one or two hands.

After every 30 chest compressions at a steady rate (slightly faster than one compression a second), give two breaths.

Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

Babies under one year old

Open the baby's airway by placing one hand on their forehead and gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin.

Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose.

Place your mouth over the mouth and nose of the infant and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth, checking that their chest rises. Give five initial rescue breaths.

Place two fingers in the middle of the chest (or hands around the trunk leaving the two thumbs over the sternum to press) and press down by one-third of the depth of the chest. After 30 chest compressions at a steady rate (slightly faster than one compression a second), give two breaths.

Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

Choking:

Clearing a blocked airway in conscious adults and children over the age of one follows; it is not meant to be used for choking infants under age one. See later

First, ask the person if he/she can speak. If he/she can speak, it means he/she still has good air exchange and might be able to get the object out of his/her throat on their own with some coughing. Ask them to try to cough the object out.

If the person can’t speak, makes high-pitched sounds when he/she talks or coughs, or it looks like their not breathing, it’s time to intervene.

If the casualty is conscious and choking .... the first is to slap them - quite hard - on the back 5 times - between the shoulder blades - with the casualty leaning forward but supported (so they cannot fall!). Warn them!

If this fails then - with them still leaning forward but supported by your arms - stand behind them and hold them in your two arms do that your hands interlock and one of the thumb joints is at a sharp angle inwards towards the casualty. A fist width with the thumb bent locates the right part of the diaphragm to thrust into.

The act of abdominal thrust lifts the diaphragm and forces air from the lungs, similar to a coughing action, so that the foreign body in an airway may be moved and expelled.

Stand behind the person, wrap your arms around the waist, and tip the person slightly forward.

Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above the navel.

Grasp your fist with your other hand and press forcefully into the abdomen with quick, upward thrusts, using force as if you were attempting to lift the person up.

Continue the back slaps / thrusts - 5 each - until the foreign body is dislodged OR if the casualty loses consciousness go to CPR. When a choking person is unconscious, lower the person on her back onto the floor. Clear the airway using the head-tilt method. If you can see the blockage, reach a finger into the mouth and sweep it out (finger sweep), using caution not to push the object deeper into the airway. If you are unable to remove the obstructing object and the person doesn't respond, you must begin CPR. In this case, there is a chance that the chest compressions used in CPR will free the object so recheck the mouth at regular intervals.

To clear an airway obstruction of a pregnant woman or obese person, place your fists closer to the chest, right above the joining of the ribs at the base of the breastbone, and follow chest thrusts.

In the case of a choking infant younger than age one, sit with the infant face down on your forearm, positioned securely on your thigh. Thump the infant firmly and gently five times with the heel of your hand in the middle of the back. The back blows and the gravity will most likely free the obstruction.

If it doesn't work, turn the infant face up on your forearm, head lower than body, and use two fingers positioned over the center of the breastbone just below the nipples and give five quick chest compressions. Continue to repeat the back blows and chest thrusts and if the infant doesn't start breathing, call 999.

If you have cleared the obstruction and the infant doesn't start breathing, begin CPR.

2012 - Third trip - Out up the Sound of Mull and into Loch Sunart

Sunday 2nd September: Richard and I travelled up to Oban from 11am - roughly! Passed the mouth of Loch Etive and the Connel Bridge and stooped to view the impressive Falls Of Lora. (The falls are generated when the tide level in the Firth of Lorn drops below the level of the water in Loch Etive. On the Ebb tide, the seawater in Loch Etive pours out through the narrows).

Got to Dunstaffnage at around 6pm and loaded the boat & ate at 'The Wide Mouthed Frog'.

Monday 3rd September: Sailed up The Sound Of Mull. We set off about 1pm - on the engine until we had past the fish farm south of Ardmucknish/Dunstaffnage Bay - then we sailed with a reef - the second one - on the mainsail and creamed up the Sound of Mull.

The weather was OK and we enjoyed the beam reach with strong winds. I got a mooring by ringing the relief pontoon manager at Tobermory. We reached Calve Island and turned in and by then we were in heavy rain. By the time we had moored up - quite close in - we were thoroughly wet, so we ate in 'Macgochans' - the nearest place to the pontoons. It was v. average.

Tuesday 4th September: I looked around Tobermory and bought some milk from the Coop. We set sail, motoring out of Tobermory and headed north up the Sound. We had the sail up pretty quickly and had a good sail heading Northwestwards. Then we turned east for Loch Sunart - a sea loch that runs east from the sea, bounded to the north by the Sunart district of Ardnamurchan.

We passed Glenborrodale Castle and Mingary Castle ruins as well as Ben Hiant. Ben Laga and Ben Resipole can be clearly seen. At 19 miles long it is one of the longest sea lochs in the Highlands with a maximum depth of the loch over 120 metres (East of Càrna and the entrance to Loch Teacuis). Islands in the loch include Oronsay, seaward of Càrna, Risga, which lies between the two larger islands, and Eilean Mòr, which lies towards the landward end of the loch in line with Beinn Resipol. We sailed past Salen Bay and headed up the loch.

We spent about an hour sailing up towards Salen Jetty. This is situated within Salen Bay on the north shore of Loch Sunart on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. We had a meal at the Salen Hotel and afterwards Tom (Colville) joined us - Richard had called him as we relaxed at the Pier - he lives locally and enjoyed a couple of coffees as I listened to then reminisce about Drascombes.

Wednesday 5th September: We set off from the Pier at around 09:30 and motored out of the Loch. We put the sails up before we left the loch - just on the land side of the tidal island of Eilean Mor - and then turned down the Sound after we cleared Oronsay - a uninhabited, low-lying, barren and rocky, enclosing Loch Drumbuie.

We sailed down and then the wind dropped a bit. After Richard played around with the sails we got some good wind and had to gybe down the lower part of the Sound - using the engine at the latter stages and made it to Dunstaffnage - albeit late in the day - it was about 7 pm before we switched off and moored etc.

Thursday 5th September: The day dawned, with Cryptic on the pontoon at Dunstaffnage, wet and windy. More wind then rain but nevertheless not a pleasant start. I sorted a few things out while Richard had a shower etc. and got an up-to-date weather forecast. It looked grim so we decided to go home ... stopped off in Callander - at the Roman Camp Hotel - in 20 acres of gardens, on the banks of the River Teith, (salmon sea trout and brown trout!), a unique country house hotel.

2012 - Second trip

Monday 13th 2012: Got up to Oban (about six hours) and left the car at Dunstaffnage. Got a bus to Oban and waited for the ferry ride to Kerrera.

One of the ferries was broken down and had to be brought in by another one. Couldn’t get on that one – I was twelfth and he was only taking 12 (though on the way out last time he took 14!). Waited on the next – a relief vessel! Then got to the office too late – everyone had gone! So had to await the return of the ferry to ask if I could win back my keys. Got the wrong ones to start with but eventually got sorted and then rushed back to get the ferry so we could eat in Oban! Went to ‘Room 9’ and had an excellent sea bass. Got the ferry back and slept on board.

Tuesday 14th 2012: Left a disappointing Oban Marina – no car parking, poor ferry service and v. substandard. Dunstaffnage Bay is a sheltered inlet at the mouth of Loch Etive, Dunstaffnage Bay is located 2 miles (3 km) west of Connell, (near the Connell Bridge)

and 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Oban in Argyll and Bute. The settlement of Dunbeg, the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory and Dunstaffnage Castle all lie around its shores. The island of Eilean Mor lies at its entrance. Sailed to Dunstaffnage Marina where all seemed excellent in comparison to Oban. Got messed about a bit on berthing but all ended well – especially when I got a power cable extension. We explored the castle after trying out the new outboard and tender. (A bit embarrassing – we ran out of petrol on the beach near Dunstaffnage Castle!). After drying out etc. we ate at ‘The Wide Mouthed Frog’.

Wednesday 15th 2012: Tried to sail north up Loch Linnhe (known in Gaelic as An Linne Dhubh upstream of Corran - and known as An Linne Sheileach downstream of Corran). It’s a sea loch just around the corner (turn right after the two headlands of the western edge of the mainland in Ardmucknish Bay) – out from Dunstaffnage Marina.

Loch Linnhe is about 30 miles long and opens out from the Firth of Lorne (South West edge) past the large island of Lismore - a part known as the Lynn of Lorne. Loch Eil feeds into Loch Linnhe at the Northernmost point, while from the east Loch Leven feeds in the loch just downstream of Corran and Loch Creran feeds into the Lynn of Lorne. The town of Fort William lies at the northeast end of the loch, at the mouth of the River Lochy.

A few ferries operate hereabouts – one from Oban to Achnacroish on the Island of Lismore. Another to reach Lismore is the Corran Ferry (one of few remaining mainland vehicle ferries in Scotland), which operates across the Corran Narrows, (it is about nine miles south of Fort William).

Nowadays there are about 150 people living on Lismore – one of the most fertile islands of Scotland, (especially considering the presence of Dalradian Limestone over almost all over the island!).

Probably due to it's fertility the island once supported a much larger population. By the start of 19th Century the island was inhabited by 900 people, half a century later around 1,400 and then population numbers gradually declined to its current level of around 150.

We motored up the loch, watching a yacht come flying by … (as Stan said then “at a rate of knots!”). All sail out in quite high winds – gusting to low 20s. We thought they had too much canvas out and were heeling quite a bit.

A second boat behind seemed more circumspect and tacked quite a bit … but still caught us up. He went into Linnhe Marine - situated in Dallens Bay - sheltered by Shuna Island.

We passed the Northern end of Lismore, (heading to port would have taken us to Port Ramsay) and Port Appin on our starboard side. (We had passed by then the Port Appin North buoy – fairly close at hand too).

By then we figured it would be wise to turn around and so we headed back. After berthing we went to Oban to Tesco’s for supplies and then ate a splendid supper of steak etc. that Stan made for us.

Thursday 16th 2012: Storm bound – quite high winds today so we did quite a few jobs around the boat including checking out the chutes, (cruising and spinnaker) and the storm jib. Photo below stolen from the Web to show Stan and I how a spinnaker should look on a Contessa! - From http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/17536/Contessa-32s-at-Hamble

I think we had an early dinner in ‘The Wide Mouthed Frog’ again and had an early bed.

Friday 17th 2012: Sailed down to Loch Linnhe again – and used the wind quite a bit this time! We passed the end of Lismore and this time head to port in to Port Ramsay (note the two ‘a’s), where we anchored and had lunch! It was serene … pretty poor visibility by then and still – both wind and waves.

Port Ramsay is a small village to the north of the Island of Lismore. It was built to house the workers of the limestone; lime was processed in lime kilns and then used for agriculture and in mortar for buildings. The village is situated on a sheltered bay guarded by a series of skerries and small isles.

We upped anchor and motored back … Later on in the day we motored into Oban in the car – to Waterstones, had a coffee and then ate at ‘Room 9’ (Pork Loin and Pancetta) again.

Saturday 18th 2012: Sailed out towards Mull which has a coastline of 300 miles! It’s climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream and it has a mountainous core - the highest peak on the island being Ben More at 3,169 feet! Radiating out were various peninsulas, which are predominantly moorland. Numerous islands lie off the west coast of Mull, including Erraid, Inch Kenneth, Iona and Ulva. Even smaller uninhabited islets include Eorsa, Gometra, Little Colonsay, as well as the Treshnish Isles and of course Staffa of Fingal's Cave fame. Calve Island is an uninhabited island in Tobermory Bay. Two outlying rock lighthouses are also visible from the south west of Mull, Dubh Artach and Skerryvore. The Torran Rocks are a large shoal of reefs, islets and skerries, approximately 15 square miles in area and are located two miles to the South West, between the Ross of Mull peninsula and Dubh Artach. During the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, the population fell from 10,000 to less than 3,000.) The Sound of Mull is a deep trench carved by retreating glaciation that separated Mull from mainland Scotland some twelve thousand years ago.

Stan’s idea was that we would have lunch at anchor, (allowing us to practice our technique!), in Loch Aline. We sailed into the Sound, with it’s Eastern entrance’s tidal gate which was fun … (West of here the tides are typically less than one knot). We saw the Oban to Craignure ferry (the CalMac) and stayed clear of her. We sailed quite near the former Royal Yacht ‘Bloodhound’*, which took the southern channel – which seemed less disturbed.

We sailed on up, (once we had sorted our sails out!), on past Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan Maclean. The castle stands on a crag at the end of the peninsular jutting out into the Sound of Mull at the intersection of the sound of Mull, Loch Linne and the Firth of Lorne and within view of the neighbouring castles of Dunstaffnage, Dunollie, Aros and Ardtornish -part of a chain of castles up the Sound of Mull to Mingary Castle.

*The classic and elegant 1930s ocean racing yacht Bloodhound, owned by The Queen and Prince Philip in the 1960s, is now moored alongside The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. Built in 1936 by the famous Camper & Nicholsons yard in Gosport, Bloodhound was one of the most successful ocean racing yachts ever built, winning scores of races in the south of England and also crossed the Atlantic to compete in Bermuda. On the back of this outstanding race history the Royal Family acquired Bloodhound in 1962 and Prince Philip had much success competing with her at the famous Cowes Week regatta around the Isle of Wight.

We anchored in the Scallastle Bay area, quite close to shore … in about 3 metres. I put about 25 metres of chain out with the anchor – more than enough! We had lunch and looked around – so peaceful and relaxing.

Reluctantly – as the sun was quite lovely by now – we packed in after an hour or so and headed back. We motored through the tidal gate, (though we kept the main up), and sailed across quite a bit of the Firth of Lorne.

We did a MOB when Stan lost his baseball cap but unfortunately the 'man' died – drowned probably as the cap soaked up water and drifted below a disturbed surface.

I realised Newcastle vs. Spurs was on ESPN and tried to ring Margaret, (didn’t get through but she had recorded it for me! … 2-1 to the bad guys too!). Ate fish & chips at ‘The Wide Mouthed Frog’.

Sunday 19th 2012: Drove home at 9:30. Got in about 3pm.