AL SHAHEEN -
There are many informal marine radio “nets” which allow cruisers to keep in contact
with one another to exchange information and to seek assistance. Being a radio system
(as opposed to satellite), reception quality depends on time of day, distance apart
of the two stations and atmospheric conditions, particularly sun-
Email by SSB
By using a radio modem between our laptop computer and the SSB set we can send/receive
emails, in theory, at any time and anywhere. This is a very powerful tool, as it
allows communications with shore when offshore or ocean sailing and beyond the reach
of cell-
To avoid collecting unsolicited material (spam), which would swamp us, we are particularly careful about revealing our Sailmail address only to friends and family. If you would like to communicate with us by Sailmail, please send an email using the link at the bottom of the page.
Inmarsat C
This is a satellite-
Our IMN number for Inmarsat C contact is: 423590216. We only have this system switched on during ocean passages due mainly to its power consumption.
Cell phones
Obviously, cell phones are only usable when a signal can be received and this is normally only within 10 miles of shore, although in remote areas there is often no coverage at all, even on land.
Our UK cell phone numbers is: + 44 77 66 66 33 94
In the USA we normally buy a pre-
Satellite Phone
Thanks to the fabulous generosity of my two sons we have just been given a satellite telephone which we shall be using aboard in 2010 and also in the Land Rover in remote places. A SatPhone allows calls to be made from practically anywhere to anywhere and also presents another option for email.
Internet, email and Skype
In the USA, the standard “Internet Café” has all but disappeared and has been replaced
by WiFi services (normally free) in coffee-
AIS (Automatic Identification System)
We have recently fitted a Class B AIS transmitter/receiver aboard Al Shaheen. Strictly this is a communication system, in that we receive certain data on vessels in our vicinity and transmit our data to be received by other vessels. AIS is a transponder system rather like that which has been used by aircraft for many years.
AIS signals are transmitted and received digitally on a dedicated VHF frequency and,
as a minimum, give a vessel’s name, MMSI number, vessel type, position, course and
speed over the ground, closest position of approach (CPA) and time of CPA. As the
signals are carried on the VHF frequency this restricts range to line-
Data received may be displayed on a dedicated screen or overlaid on a chart plotter or radar screen. In our case we display it on our Raymarine C80 chart plotter, where AIS targets appear as a magenta arrow in their true position on the chart. Clicking the cursor on a target brings up a data screen showing all the data on that target.
AIS is a very valuable information system and an aid to collision avoidance. It is not infallible and should be used in conjunction with radar and visual observations. One great benefit is that it identifies a target by name so that one can now call up the target by voice VHF and address it by name with a much better chance of response than by calling an anonymous target.
Distress communications
Voice distress messages would be transmitted over VHF and/or SSB and satellite data messages sent by Inmarsat C or EPIRB (see below).
EPIRB
The EPIRB (Emergency Position-
Aboard “Al Shaheen” we have the following means of communication:
VHF Radio
This is our primary means of voice communication for short distances (up to 30 miles)
and is used for talking to other vessels within range, marinas, harbourmasters, Coastguard
etc. VHF is line-
An advanced feature of VHF communication is Digital Selective Calling (DSC), which allows a set equipped with DSC to alert either all vessels within range (for distress), or a single station using their individual MMSI number. Many yachts are not yet equipped with DSC, especially in the USA, although Al Shaheen is.
Our radio call sign is: ZQYF3 and our MMSI number is 235000882.
SSB Radio
This is the “work horse” of long-