Fishing boat radios

Press, 30 May 1981, Page 14

Fishing boat radios

Sir,—l have read a lot about new radio regulations for fishing boats; this being a changeover to S.S.B. and V.H.F. I understand quite a few boats are carrying C.B. radios. As V.H.F. has not a great range I cannot understand why C.B. radios are not acceptable on inshore fishing boats, a lot of which are not out. for a full day’s fishing and have to go to a lot of expense for about three or four hours—Yours, etc.,

I. KERR. May 11, 1981.

|Mr P. J. Williams. Regional Marine Officer, Marine Division, Ministry of Transport, replies: “The use of CB radio by fishing boat operators is not recommended. The radio channels available on CB are overloaded, not continuously monitored by safety organisations for emergency purposes and weather forecasts are not broadcast over CB radio channels. However, in the case of those persons who go fishing for a few hours on a part-time basis, whose boats are not subject to statutory survey requirements established by the Ministry and have neither double side band radio nor V.H.F. means of communication with the shore or other vessels, the use by these persons of a CB radio can be considered as being better than having no means of communication at all should any emergency occur while they are at sea. The introduction of single side band radio communication takes place on January 1, 1982. From that date weather forecasts will no longer be broadcast on double side band radio, though the emergency frequency 2182 on double side band radio will continue to be monitored and be available for use in an emergency.”]