A RRR reader asks “What’s the big deal with the USCG using cell phones Doug? Why isn’t that an acceptable way for the CG to communicate with distressed boaters? Why harp so much on this topic?”
Good question. First and foremost, the USCG should encourage all vessels to use VHF radios for distress and Mayday calls for one simple reason: every vessel within listening distance will hear the call. This huge listening audience are all potential rescuers, perhaps only minutes away from the distressed vessel. When a distressed boater dials 911 or speaks directly with the USCG on the phone, there are only two people in the world who know of the problem: the two people on either end of the phone. This is the main reason why the USCG has maintained a policy that the VHF radio is the very best way to call for help, and that cell phones are a backup to that. Using VHF means that local rescue agencies can be rolling to the scene while the USCG is collecting information. On a cell phone, the CG first collects the info, then broadcasts a UMIB. Precious minutes can be wasted in a real emergency.
Furthermore, if the nature of distress is minor or non-emergency in nature, then the USCG policy it to defer the case of the commercial assistance. The MSAP policy is clear that response time is critical, and keeping the comms on the radio allows local assistance companies to be underway while the CG is collecting the information rather than waiting at the dock wondering what is happening and staring at a silent radio. Using phone communications interferes with the efficiency of the private towing/rescue industry.
Using the radio allows the CG to employ active listening techniques that are proven to speed up responses to actual distress calls. A phone conversation is private and precludes active listening. The best communication device for distressed boaters is the VHF radio, and the best practice for the USCG will be to use the radio whenever possible, and a cell phone as a last resort.
Our industry has been alarmed about the increasing tendencies for the USCG to move almost all communications off to a cell phone in recent years. I have heard the CG ask sinking boats for a cell phone number, and then they call the sinking boat on the phone! WTF?
Now comes the NTSB memo and all their data about the dangers of distracted driving. This should raise a huge red flag up at CG headquarters!! Hello??!! Every time a CG radio operators ask a boater to use his cell phone, they are putting him in danger. Even if the guy is dead in the water and not moving, he is still responsible to maintain a lookout. Furthermore, a boater is likely to turn the VHF radio volume down or even turn the radio off while he is on the phone with the USCG, meaning he might miss other vessels trying to contact him for collision avoidance or passing instructions. Boaters who call in floating debris reports, Navaids out of position and such are probably underway and in light of the NTSB memo, the USCG should never communicate via phone with a boater who is driving a boat! According to the NTSB, doing so puts the boater and other boats around him in danger.
This issue now puts our industry on notice too. If you are talking to boaters on their cell phones (who doesn’t?), then I suggest you make sure that the boater is not moving at the very least, or that the person you are talking to is not at the wheel. Even better is to tell them to anchor and call back.
