InTheBite

Coast Guard Look To Improve 911 System For Boaters

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SPRINGFIELD, Va., Dec. 31, 2018 – A sign of the times, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that it’s common for recreational boaters today to use cellphones to call during a boating emergency. While Boat Owners Association of The United States urges every vessel to have a working VHF radio with DSC (digital selective calling), the nation’s recreational boating advocacy, services and safety group also recognizes that cellphones are firmly embedded in boaters’ lives. But what happens when a boater tries to call 911 for emergency or routine on water assistance? Will the call go to the closest, most relevant rescue agency for a swift response?

Unfortunately that’s not always the case. But a provision in the recently passed Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization of Act of 2018 aims to improve reliability of the 911 system when recreational boaters need emergency help. In an effort to ensure timely dispatch of the closest potential rescue asset or on-water assistance provider, the Act requires the U.S. Coast Guard to review its policies and procedures to “formulate a national maritime Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) policy.” There are more than 6,000 PSAPs in the U.S. – local 24/7 call centers with trained dispatchers that receive 911 emergency telephone calls and route them to the proper emergency service.

“This effort will help minimize the possibility of maritime calls being improperly routed and to assure the U.S. Coast Guard is able to effectively carry out its maritime search-and-rescue mission,” said Tina Cardone, executive director of the Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing (C-PORT). C-PORT members, made up of on-water towing industry companies from across the country, contributed to the legislative effort. This included TowBoatUS Mystic owner Capt. Jeff Dziedzic.

“This was a grass-roots effort by many and took years of working with U.S. Coast Guard and elected officials,” said Capt. Dziedzic. “We care about this because of our occasional role in responding to life-threating events as good Samaritans, as well as answering calls for more routine requests for assistance.”

In a video recently captured from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Capt. Dziedzic’s local congressman, thanked the captain for bringing the issue to his attention.

BoatUS also thanks the leadership of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.) and Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.).

Additional TowBoatUS C-PORT members joining the effort included Capt. Chad Noetzel, TowBoatUS Port Huron, Michigan; Capt. Terry Hill, TowBoatUS Potomac, Virginia, Capt. Richard Paul, TowBoatUS Cape Coral, Florida; and Capt. Chris Shaffner, TowBoatUS Palm Beach, Florida.

FLIR Introduces Next Generation Raymarine VHF Radios

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The latest in trouble-free radio solutions for any vessel

WILSONVILLE, ORE. (November 27, 2018) – FLIR is excited to announce the launch of its next-generation. The compact Ray53, full-sized Ray63 and the multifunction Ray73 with AIS are all full-function VHF marine radios with Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC).

Each new VHF model is equipped with a built-in GPS receiver and connection point for an optional GPS/GNSS antenna, which improves the GPS reception when the radio is mounted below deck or in an enclosed pilothouse. Designed to complement the modern style of Raymarine Axiom multifunction displays, these new VHF radios look great trunnion or surface mounted on any helm.

Additionally, Ray63 and Ray73 can connect to Raymarine’s new wireless VHF hub and can support up to two wireless handset stations for wireless communication anywhere onboard.

Ray53 Compact VHF Radio with GPS

Raymarine’s Ray53 radio is small in size but big on features and performance. Ray53 is a full-function VHF marine radio with Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and a built-in GPS receiver. Simply program your boat’s MMSI number into the Ray53 and immediately benefit from the enhanced calling and safety features of DSC. The Ray53 supports both NMEA2000 and legacy NMEA0183 networking, which enables it to connect with other onboard electronics. Ray53 also supports the connection of an optional remote speaker to provide audio at a second location.

MSRP: $499.99 (US)

Ray63 Multi-Station VHF Radio with GPS

Raymarine’s Ray63 is a full-function VHF marine radio with Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and a built-in GPS receiver. Built on a full-sized radio chassis, the Ray63 features oversized controls and a larger LCD for easy operation offshore. The Ray63 also supports multi-station expansion and intercom capability via a single wired RayMiccontroller or two wireless RayMic controllers.

The wired RayMic 2nd station kit allows full operation of the Ray63 from another location onboard. Ray63 also works with Raymarine’s new wireless RayMic wireless hub and handset system, which adds control at up to two additional locations onboard the boat with wireless convenience.

MSRP: $599.99 (US)

Ray73 Multifunction VHF Radio with GPS, AIS and Loudhailer Output

Raymarine’s new Ray73 multifunction VHF is communications central for your boat. In addition to the features of the Ray63, Ray73 adds a built-in Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver and a powerful loudhailer output. Ray73’s AIS provides collision avoidance and identification details for nearby AIS-equipped vessels to a networked multifunction display, chartplotter, radar and instruments. When combined with an optional hailing horn, the Ray73’s loudhailer output allows communication with crewmembers on deck, those on other vessels, or people on the dock. In addition to Ray73’s powerful public-address capability, it can also generate manual or automatic fog signals when moored or underway.

MSRP: $899.99 (US)

The new Raymarine VHF line is available now through FLIR’s network of Raymarine dealers. and retailers.