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Marine VHF Radio on the Loch

Although the Loch is viewed by some as a safe Inland Waterway, the Loch can still be a very dangerous place. In the summer months in the southern part of the Loch you will always be within sight of someone who may come to your aid, in the Winter or in the Northern part of the Loch you may not be so lucky. There are usually several boating / water emergencies each year. The Loch on average claims three lives each year, admittedly not all boating related.

Mobile phones on the Vodaphone, O2, T-Mobile, Three and Orange networks will work to some degree but mostly south of Luss, the best at the time of writing is O2 as they have a mast at Ardlui.

FOR ALL WATERBOURNE EMERGENCY'S IN THE FIRST INSTANCE CALL 999 AND ASK FOR "THE LOCH LOMOND RESCUE BOAT".

It would therefore be prudent to have a hand-held of fixed VHF Marine Radio for Emergency purposes on board. Just because the Loch is an Inland Waterway doesn't mean that you don't need a license for your radio, you MUST have a valid operators license and valid license for your vessel. You can gain a vessel license without an operators license, click here for more details. The operators test is a simple one and is usually coupled with a days training costing around £70. (Seatrek is a local licensed training and examination center).

The Park Authority Water Borne Rangers monitor channel 16 and channel 67, (When they are on the water), (Please Note: There is limited or no monitoring in winter or the evenings).

Clyde Coastguard can also be contacted in some areas of Loch Lomond, on channel 16 and if you have a newer DSC VHF set on MSI: 002320022.

It has also been known in cases of emergency for the Opps rooms at Faslane Submarine Base, (Fosney Opps Call Sign), to pick up Distress messages.

Disclaimer: Details shown are correct at time of writing, (1/4/2012). Whilst great care has been taken into compiling this information, Boat Loch Lomond cannot take any responsibility for the information provided. Information is given, subject to errors and omissions as a public service and in good faith. No liability will be accepted under any circumstances.


Emergency Numbers & Contacts
VHF Radio / Coastguard / Park Authority
Park Authority Water Borne Rangers Channels 16 & 67
Park Auhority Rangers Slipway Balloch +44 (0)1389 722030
Loch Lomond Rescue Boat Call 999
Clyde Coastguard Channel 16
  MSI: 002320022
Cameron House Marina Channel 80
Police  
Emergency 999
Central Scotland Police +44 (0)1786 456000
Tayside Police +44 (0)300 111222
Strathclyde Police +44 (0)1389 822000
Hospitals
Vale of Leven Hospital, (Minor Injuries) (Opens 8.00am - 9:00 pm (Please note the nearest 24 hour accident and emergency is Paisley) +44 (0)1389 754121
NHS 24 08454 242424


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