| 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, 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.
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
centre).
The
Park Authority Water Borne Rangers monitor channel
16 and 37A(M), (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 on channel
16 and if you have a newer DSC VHF set on MSI:
002320022.
Weather and navigational warnings for the Clyde
Estuary can sometimes be heard , an announcement
will be made on Channel 16 indicating the channel,
with the broadcast being made on 10,23,73,84
or 86 as indicated.
Routine
A Local Inshore Forecast - (within 12 miles
of the coast);Strong Wind Warnings when appropriate
- (force 6 and above for the coastal waters
out to 5 miles offshore);Gale (Storm) Warnings:
Navigational.
Routine
A - Every 4 hours per station starting at:
00:20 UTC
Routine B Twice Daily per station starting
at: 08:20 UTC
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,
(10/1/03). 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.
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