Equipment

Radar, AIS and MFD

We have a PC based Furuno Radar, AIS and chartplotter the user manual for which can be found on the document downloads page

VHF Radios

We have four fixed and one portable marine VHF radios for use by watchkeepers. The minimum qualification for watchkeepers to use any marine VHF radio is an RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC). Watchkeepers should also read the User Guide before using the radios.

VHF Channels - A summary of the rules

Channel 0

Only to be used with the express permission of the Coastguard; generally for communication with a lifeboat or Coastguard Rescue Services assets.

See below for the current protocol for NCI use of Channel 0

Channel 16

We are not licenced to transmit on channel 16. We monitor channel 16 for distress and urgency messages.

If we hear a distress/urgency message and the Coastguard does not respond we do not use channel 16 to acknowledge or to relay. The correct procedure for us is to use the telephone to communicate what we have heard to the Coastguard.

Channel 65

We are licenced as a shore station for channel 65. We can use this as we wish to communicate with vessels at sea however it is very unlikely that vessels will monitor channel 65 so invariably we will be responding rather than initiating calls.

We can not use Channel 65 to talk to another shore station. (This is physically as well as legally impossible)

Radio checks on Channel 0 with the Coastguard

These should be carried out in accordance with the rota posted in the Lookout and in accordance with the procedure given on the rota.

Checks with the Coastguard should only be carried out on channel 0 NOT channel 16. If the Coastguard ever suggests 16 rather then 0 please advise the Station Managers. 

Coastguard Marine Safety Information Broadcasts

We receive MSI broadcasts from both Falmouth and Solent Coastguard:

  • Falmouth on channel 63 from the Berry Head aerial
  • Solent on channel 62 from the Beer Head aerial

USE OF CHANNEL 0 - AGREEMENT WITH MCA

DUTY WATCHKEEPERS IN NCI STATIONS HAVE PERMISSION TO USE CH 0 IN THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCE, AND ONLY IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE

CH 0 MAY BE USED WHERE DUTY WATCHKEEPERS HAVE ‘EYES ON’ A CASUALTY DURING AN ONGOING INCIDENT, AND HAVE USEFUL INFORMATION TO PASS-ON, e.g. The postion of a casualty.

IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE CH 0 MAY BE USED TO UPDATE DEPLOYED ASSETS (e.g. Launched lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue Service shore crew) WHERE THE USE OF CH 0 WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT THAN BY 'PHONE CALL.

Any instance of the use of Ch 0 must be recorded both as an Incident Report and in the logbook.

Isobel Brooks
Revised: May 2024

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