Maritime emergency going on right now. 14.300

[k2gsp]

Damaged boat near Galapagos Islands. Boat may have to be abandoned. Navy is sending a P3 to drop life raft. 14.300

[KC9ECI]

How'd it turn out?

[k2gsp]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ May 03 2007,16:57)]How'd it turn out?
Don't know. The P3 was 6 hours out and there were 3 boats on the way, but they faded on me, so I don't know. It was pretty cool to listen to. That's the first time I actually heard emergency traffic.

[W3MIV]

Gee, where was WinLink?

[k2gsp]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ May 03 2007,17:15)]Gee, where was WinLink?
LOL I actually thought that very thing.

[ai4ep]

hope this emergency is about over with, or the jammers who read these posts will go there and try to jam the communications.

[kd7msc]

Link (http://www.mmsn.org/)

The net is still active. Last I heard everything is under control but not resolved. Navy ETA 0300Z Here is a link to the 14.300 net.

[WA9SVD]

Just out of curiosity, WHOSE Navy is sending a plane? If it's a terrotory of Ecuador, it's strange if the U.S. is mounting a rescue effort... Not sure what the Maritime Laws are that apply; it would seem the country with the closest resources should respond.

Can't hear any of the excitement here on the West Coast.

[kd7msc]

www.14300.net/ (http://www.14300.net/)

Queen Mary station is also on the net helping out.

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ May 04 2007,08:48)]# #Can't hear any of the excitement here on the West Coast.
Streaming Audio link (http://66.0.249.90:6547/l3audio.m3u)

[KC9ECI]

Quote[/b] (kd7msc @ May 04 2007,18:29)]Here is a link to the 14.300 net.
Your link didn't work, I had to tune to 14.300 by reaching out my hand and manually spinning the VFO!

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ May 04 2007,08:50)]Quote[/b] (kd7msc @ May 04 2007,18:29)]Here is a link to the 14.300 net.
Your link didn't work, I had to tune to 14.300 by reaching out my hand and manually spinning the VFO!
That was for people that wanted to check out there website. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #The audio link is for those that can not hear them on there RADIO. I am listening with my radio too #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #I am so glad you can hear them on your radio too.

Edit: I checked my links and they worked fine for me. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[W6GQ]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ May 04 2007,16:50)]Your link didn't work, I had to tune to 14.300 by reaching out my hand and manually spinning the VFO!
Is your hand ok? Be careful next time, those VFO's require much more manual labor than simply clicking a link.

By the way, you ever cough and laugh at the same time? Painful, please avoid winlink comments while I am eating popcorn http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KC0W]

Herb Schoenbohm (KV4FZ) was the relay station, I think.


Tom kcØw

[N2RJ]

The maritime net is famous for this. A ham from Trinidad (9Z4CP) was even involved in one of their rescue assistance efforts.

[W5HTW]

At 0038 5 May it is still going on and very active on the MMSN.

However, that is NOT "The" Queen Mar ocean liner. It is a privately owned sailing vessel named Queen Mary, off the coast of Honduras.

So far there have been only a very few attempts at jamming, couple of "Holas" now and then. It has gone pretty well. The problem has not been interference but propagation. Several of the involved have not been able to hear each other.

The sinking vessel still has engine power, is able to keep batteries charged and can operate lights, and word was he has managed to stem the leak, either completely or enough he feels he can hold on until others get there.

There is a commercial vessel enroute as well, with a destination of Brazil, and it may pick them up. Much of the communication is actually being done on Maritime channel 16, and as rescue vessels get closer, they will switch to VHF.

At this moment things seem to be well in control. No immediate threat to life, and the aircraft should be on scene within the next four hours. (0400Z)

Now they are asking for light information for the drop zone.

The MMSN is indeed famous for maritime assists, including some lifesaving ones, many urgent medical situation, and at least one life or death pirate situation in the Carribean.

But please do not jump in and offer to help!! That creates such havoc. Listen and have fun, but don't join in.

Ed

[kd7msc]

Thanks for the info Ed. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[NA4BH]

This brings up the statement from a previous thread about nets. The writer stated "He might give up a frequency (for a net), if the Net Control was nice about it". My reply was, "A net might not mean anything to you, but they do serve a purpose". I will bite my tongue at this point.

73 (monitoring 14.300, hoping everything works out)

Bob

[KC0OFZ]

Quote[/b] (KI4SXC @ May 04 2007,16:21)]Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ May 03 2007,17:15)]Gee, where was WinLink?
LOL I actually thought that very thing.
I am sure the league will try to spin this to prove that we NEED winlink!!!

[K4KWH]

Quote[/b] (NA4BH @ May 04 2007,18:44)]This brings up the statement from a previous thread about nets. The writer stated "He might give up a frequency (for a net), if the Net Control was nice about it". My reply was, "A net might not mean anything to you, but they do serve a purpose". I will bite my tongue at this point.

73 (monitoring 14.300, hoping everything works out)

Bob
What the blazes is the BIG deal about a frequency? #It may be true that nets have no priority over a frequency, and,indeed, IMHO, it should be so.............BUT! # With all the frequencies available just WHAT is the big deal about moving up/down a few KC to accomodate a net?
What happened to simple COURTESY?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif???

Or is it 'I p***ed on this fire hydrant first'? #Are we "territorial" like a dadblamed DOG? #I just don't see the big need in all this ruckus!

73

[kg4kww]

listening to 14.300 hearing nothing but white noise.

[w3bny]

Lets see if some over zealous freek wont talk to the Navy like during Katrina....Freek..

[kf6rdn]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ May 04 2007,15:50)]Quote[/b] (kd7msc @ May 04 2007,18:29)]Here is a link to the 14.300 net.
Your link didn't work, I had to tune to 14.300 by reaching out my hand and manually spinning the VFO!
I hope you didn't break anything!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[NA4BH]

Quote[/b] (K4KWH @ May 04 2007,19:24)]Quote[/b] (NA4BH @ May 04 2007,18:44)]This brings up the statement from a previous thread about nets. The writer stated "He might give up a frequency (for a net), if the Net Control was nice about it". My reply was, "A net might not mean anything to you, but they do serve a purpose". I will bite my tongue at this point.

73 (monitoring 14.300, hoping everything works out)

Bob
What the blazes is the BIG deal about a frequency? #It may be true that nets have no priority over a frequency, and,indeed, IMHO, it should be so.............BUT! # With all the frequencies available just WHAT is the big deal about moving up/down a few KC to accomodate a net?
What happened to simple COURTESY?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif???

Or is it 'I p***ed on this fire hydrant first'? #Are we "territorial" like a dadblamed DOG? #I just don't see the big need in all this ruckus!

73
OK, picture this. The following, I do hope never happens. But go with me on this.

You and your family are out on your yatch (with me so far)? You have an HF rig onboard. Your vessel goes dead in the water (still with me)? You know that 14.300 is monitored by the Maritime Mobile Net. YOU NEED HELP. You fire up the rig, tune to 14.300. There is a guy talking about his gallbladder and cataracs. You ask for the frequency, he denies. You state, "I HAVE A MARITIME EMERGENCY, WE ARE TAKING ON WATER". He says you did not ask just right, go away. My dog peed on the fire hydrant first.


SO,WHERE ARE YOU AT NOW? ARE YOU STILL WITH ME, DO YOU FOLLOW?

So now YOUR boat has to hunt a frequency that has some one that can get the Coast Guard or any other help to you. And just maybe they can handle your distress traffic. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

[ai4ep]

static / rain in my area but I did hear a male voice mention " airplanes " around 9;45 cst ( about a good half hour ago ).

So something IS still going on !!

[ai4ep]

BH --- you have to remember the mentality of those kind of folks...that being that if YOU are having an emergency it is no big deal, but if HE is having the same emergency 5 minutes later that it is a big deal. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[W5HTW]

About an hour ago (around 0230Z) it faded out entirely. Last I heard was two boats were within VHF range and all coms were on VHF channel 16. The P3 was due on scene at 0400Z but HF communications was no longer being used. A commercial ship was getting close.

I was able to monitor for around six hours before it died. I am glad to hear there was very little interference.

Apparently the US Coast Guard wanted them to actually declare a formal emergency, but I was not clear on that. The Navy P3 was coming to drop a raft and some supplies. Very few people want to officially declare an emergency, as it really complicates things a whole bunch, and that would be especially true if the captain is a licensed Master. Kind a pilot declaring an emergency. They really want to be sure it is a last resort, as it can affect the rest of your flying days - if you have any!! Same with a Master, I am sure.

One of the most dramatic incidents ever covered, in my memory at least, by the MMSN was the pirate attack of the couple and their son, in the Carribean. Direct medial help was provided via ham radio from a doctor in Miami, and it certainly helped the young boy who was badly wounded.

That kind of maritime medical help has been provided over the MMSN many times, though not to that degree. Of course, amateur radio has helped in many medical emergencies in the mountains and desert, not just at sea.

That is what we CAN do. My complaint is the big push to make it what we DO as a primary function, but that, alas, is a different thread (the one about government employees getting their ham tickets for their jobs!)

Anyway, it appears all is well. Several surface craft are now within easy range of the damaged vessel. The vessel may not have to be abandoned anyway.

Enjoy

ed

[NA4BH]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ May 04 2007,20:17)]BH --- you have to remember the mentality of those kind of folks...that being that if YOU are having an emergency it is no big deal, but if HE is having the same emergency 5 minutes later that it is a big deal. # # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Thanks. Some people get it.

BTW. I was probably within a stones throw of you Monday. I will be back up that way next week. What repeater do you monitor (freq and PL)? I will try to give you a call. PM me if needed.

73
Bob #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kg4kww]

The last thing I heard was The Navy was sending a P3 to drop a life raft to the boat but,for some reason the drop was called off by the Navy.

[ai4ep]

BH --- If and when I do any 2 meter repeater monitoring, it CAN be most any repeater in north Alabama, but the one I listen to the most is

146.960 (-) no tone

just tell me the day and time of day, and what city you will be passing through ( Birmingham / Huntsville / Cullman / Jasper /...etc. and we can go from there

Huntsville has 146.940 & 147.240 with wide coverage areas

Cullman has 145.310

Jasper has 146.900

Florence has 146.610 (100 hz tone )

Russellville has 147.160 & 147.210

But the bad news is --- I dont consistently monitor any of these repeaters, but I can if needed.

[NA4BH]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ May 04 2007,21:06)]BH --- If and when I do any 2 meter repeater monitoring, it CAN be most any repeater in north Alabama, but the one I listen to the most is

146.960 (-) #no tone

just tell me the day and time of day, and what city you will be passing through ( Birmingham / Huntsville / Cullman / Jasper /...etc. #and we can go from there

Huntsville has 146.940 #& 147.240 with wide coverage areas

Cullman has 145.310

Jasper has 146.900

Florence has 146.610 (100 hz tone )

Russellville has 147.160 & 147.210

But the bad news is --- I dont consistently monitor any of these repeaters, but I can if needed.
I will let you know..... I pass by you on HWY 72. It would be nice to meet you.

73
Bob

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ May 04 2007,17:46)]At 0038 5 May it is still going on and very active on the MMSN.

However, that is NOT "The" Queen Mar ocean liner. It is a privately owned sailing vessel named Queen Mary, off the coast of Honduras.
Thanks for the info, Ed. I was wondering about that. I couldn't hear a whisper on the MMSN frequency, and wondered how the QM club station (W6RO) would be able to hear enough to "assist." We didn't seem to hear anything here on the West Coast.

[kg4kww]

Is this the maritime emergency you all are speaking of?

SOUTH DOCK, Turks and Caicos Islands — Every year, Haitians by the hundreds set off in rickety boats hoping to escape poverty by sneaking into the United States. The perils became gruesomely apparent Friday when a crowded boat capsized, flinging migrants into shark-infested waters.

Hours after the sailing vessel overturned in moonlit waters a half-mile from shore, rescuers had recovered more than a dozen bodies -- some with savage bite wounds -- and were searching for about 60 missing people.

Full Story (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270074,00.html)

[N8CPA]

Haiti and the Turks and Caicos are in in the Atlantic (Caribbean). The Galapagos are in the Pacific.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ May 05 2007,02:37)]Haiti and the Turks and Caicos are in in the Atlantic (Caribbean). The Galapagos are in the Pacific.
That's why it was strange we couldn't hear any of the excitement here on the West Coast, yet those in 4 and 5-Land picked it up. Propagation can be weird.

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ May 04 2007,23:40)]Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ May 05 2007,02:37)]Haiti and the Turks and Caicos are in in the Atlantic (Caribbean). #The Galapagos are in the Pacific.
That's why it was strange we couldn't hear any of the excitement here on the West Coast, yet those in 4 and 5-Land picked it up. #Propagation can be weird.
Propagation was weird. I copied most of it and I am in NW Oregon. The later it got the stronger the signals. I was using a long wire. Sounded like it went pretty smooth.

[k2gsp]

I'm glad I stumbled upon it. I was actually looking for a Honduran DX station. I stopped to listen to the net for a second and they called for emergency traffic and I'm used to hearing no trafffic and this time someone came back with emergency traffic. It got my attention. It's one thing to read about something like that, but it puts it in a whole new perspective when you hear it happening in real time. Glad it seems to have gone well.

[kg4kww]

Quote[/b] ]wa9svd--That's why it was strange we couldn't hear any of the excitement here on the West Coast, yet those in 4 and 5-Land picked it up. Propagation can be weird.

The signal was taking the long path not the short path.

[W5HTW]

For several hours, maybe six, propagation was very good from around Honduras into here in New Mexico. The "Queen Mary" was always loud and clear, throughout the entire afternoon. The vessel in trouble was weak but barely readable and remained consistently that way throughout the afternoon and early evening. It was very good prop into here but the amazing thing was it was stable for hours, with no shifting at all. Once in a while a little QSB but then right back where it was. That is pretty rare for 20 meters in the daytime. I've seen stable late-night prop on 20 many times, after most folks figure the band has closed. But day time it usually isn't that stable.

The boat was approaching the Panama Canal by midmorning today, and all seemed under control. I believe it was a Norweigan sailing vessel, with what sounded like storm damage to the bow and the mast, but never heard enough details to know for sure what the damage was.

It was handled well.

Ed

[n0ov]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ May 03 2007,21:17)]BH --- you have to remember the mentality of those kind of folks...that being that if YOU are having an emergency it is no big deal, but if HE is having the same emergency 5 minutes later that it is a big deal. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Helping folks is not a priority.

But let an emergency interferer with a QSO or contest and there will be hell to pay

What a lid

[kg4kww]

Ok, people, I know you all have problems with short attention spans, but, this is important so, lets stay focused.

Did any of you listen via the live stream audio link on the web site www.14300.net ??

This is what ham radio is all about. It's called helping others in need. Not, just contesting, playing with your keyer or just shooting the bull.

[n0ov]

Stay focus? You are kidding right?

Believe the point being made here is that when emergencies do happen, like this event, it is very important for us to help (if possible) or stay the heck out of the way (if we cannot help)

[N4BWR]

The people on the sailboat in distress were picked up by one of the vessels that had changed course to assist them and were then transferred to a container ship of Norwegian registry. They are supposed to be dropped off in Panama or somewhere in that area (forgot that detail).

The damage to their vessel was originally that it had started taking on water, which they got under control, but, for some reason, they were in danger of losing the mast at one point. I listened in on a good bit of the net, but some of the locations of the people involved, along with propagation, made hearing some details difficult. If I understood correctly, the lifeboat offered by the P3 flying overhead was not dropped because the people on the sailboat said it would not be necessary.

[n0ov]

That's good news. Thanks for the update

[KG4RQO]

Thank you all for your interest in the plight of SV/Sailabout.

The two persons on board were transferred to the MV/Belnor, a Norwegian flagged commercial vessel at approximately 1530Z 05May2007. The sailboat was at approximately 5 degrees, 7 minutes South and 101 degrees 24 minutes West heading on course 350 degrees at 4 knots when it was abandoned.

You should be able to read a more complete writeup in a few days at: www.mmsn.org .

As one of the operators involved, I would very much like to thank all of the hams worldwide who "stood by" and allowed the crucial comms with the vessels involved, the US Coast Guard and the Norwegian government to take precedence on the frequency. Whether or not you could hear the traffic from your location, you were considerate to keep the frequency clear. As such, you can also take credit for helping to save two lives.

14.300 has been know by mariners world-wide since 1968 and, as such, is monitored by both mariners and the net operators on that frequency.

With many thanks,

John Emery
KG4RQO
Net Control Station, Maritime Mobile Service Net

[N4BWR]

Thanks for the more detailed update, John. I wanted to check in on Friday, but decided to wait until I could drop the "/AG" from my callsign! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I was able to do that yesterday, and checked into the MMSN net for the first time. Friday was a great opportunity to see the net in action and how radio operators can be involved in critical communications. I look forward to checking into the nets more regularly now (will be on weekends due to work schedules) and doing whatever I can to help.

73,

Blake
N4BWR

[w8ob]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ May 04 2007,21:15)]Gee, where was WinLink?
On K1ZZ's new boat. Why else would the Newington boys push such a white elephant?

[K8MHZ]

Quote[/b] (kg4kww @ May 05 2007,07:22)]Quote[/b] ]wa9svd--That's why it was strange we couldn't hear any of the excitement here on the West Coast, yet those in 4 and 5-Land picked it up. #Propagation can be weird.

The signal was taking the long path not the short path.
Evidence?