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Admiralty Head Lighthouse
Boating safety, U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards, U.S. Customs, port authorities and other agencies involved in boating.
Page last updated 03/18/08

Lighthouses are placed on prominent headlands, at entrances, on isolated dangers, or other points where it is necessary to warn mariners. They symbolize 'safety' and our 'Lighthouse' is devoted to organizations and issues regarding safe boating.

USCG Citizen Action Network (formerly - Eyes on the Sound Program). We recently received an E-mail request from the U.S. Coast Guard District 13. The E-mail requests the clubs support for USCG Citizen Action Network.  The volunteer program has become even more important following the events of September 11, 2001 and the increased workload on the USCG.

The “USCG Citizen Action Network" or C.A.N. program is particular to the Puget Sound area with two way communication between the Coast Guard and the citizen volunteers.  It is closely associated with America's Waterway Watch program, which is a national program.

Examples of C.A.N. member assistance:
Having the volunteer check their nearby beach for evidence of a false alarm, flare firing, oil spill impact or disabled/sick wildlife.  Ideally, the Citizen Action Network volunteers will be available when needed; but the odds of being called are great for evening, nights and weekend support.

The C.A.N. official website: http:/www.uscg.mil/d13/can/default.htm

     Sample C.A.N. application go ®  here.
     Sample C.A.N. newsletter go ®  here.

USCG Fact Sheet: Digital Selective Calling Radios

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a VHF radio technology that provides recreational boaters with two unique features which will be discussed below.  To be fully functional three items must be available;

· A DSC radio
· A Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number
· A compatible GPS or Loran unit

The MMSI is a unique nine (9) digit number that is assigned to a DSC radio station.  If the boater has a valid Federal Communications Commission (FCC) station license or plans to operate in international waters they need to contact the FCC to get an MMSI.  Otherwise, they can register with BoatU.S. or Sea Tow by obtaining an MMSI Assignment form.  Forms are available on the BoatU.S. Web site http://www.boatus.com/mmsi or by calling 1-800-563-1536 or on the Sea Tow Web site http://www.seatow.com/boating_safety.

Some important points to consider are;

· Each vessel you own needs to have a discrete MMSI to be properly identified.
· The boater needs to keep their MMSI Assignment data current.
· Depending on the make and model of the DSC radio, it may limit the number of times you can try to program your MMSI number into the radio.  Typically the radios offer you two (2) chances before locking out future attempts forcing you to send the radio back to the manufacturer.

DSC technology makes a VHF radio function more like a telephone.  It allows boaters to send a digital call directly to another DSC equipped vessel or shore station.

· In an emergency, one push of a button and the DSC radio will send an automated digital distress alert consisting of your identification (MMSI), and position (if the radio is connected to a GPS or Loran unit) to other DSC equipped vessels and rescue facilities.
· You can privately hail another DSC equipped vessel, or shore station, if you know their MMSI.  It is similar to having a VHF phone number which “rings” the radio called and then automatically switches you to a pre-determined working channel.

Rescue 21 is the Coast Guard system that will provide the May Day response capability described above.  For more details on the Rescue 21 System and its availability in your area visit www.uscg.mil/rescue21 .

The Global Maritime distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is the international system governing safety radio equipment on commercial ships. For more information on GMDSS visit www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss.


Boating Safety

This portion of our site contains links to several excellent boating safety sites with extensive information on boating safety topics.

Boatsafe.com is a commercial site that sells boating and navigation courses. Their website at http://www.boatsafe.com also provides a very extensive collection of free materials on safe boating tips and links to other sites with safe boating information. This site contains over 200 articles that you can access on-line as well as safe boating information for kids. Included is a complete basic boating course available on-line as well as information on a wide variety of boating safety issues. boat recalls, and marlinspike seamanship.

A non-commercial site that offers extensive boating safety information is Boatingsafety.com. This site is sponsored by Sea Tow Services International and does not accept commercial advertising. Here you will find databases, articles, safety information, and a section on rules and laws. Boatingsafety.com also has several discussion forums, hosted by professionals, and can respond to questions.

The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety maintains a site devoted to boating safety at http://www.uscgboating.org. Check out the topics on the grey menu bar at the top of their home page.

The Washington Boating Safety Officers Association provides a nice web site specific to Washington boating at www.boatwashington.org. This site includes an on-line course in basic boating, tide and weather information for Washington and Canadian waters, information on pending boating legislation, and information on boat ramps, pump out facilities, moorage, etc.

In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard Boating web site, you may want to visit the USCG web site and the USCG District 13 web site. District 13 covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

We will be adding additional sources of information as time goes on. If you know of a site you found useful, please notify our web master at myc@mukilteoyachtclub.com.

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