DSC VHF Radio

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IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Are you thinking of a new VHF radio?  If not maybe you should be.   There have been substantial improvements made to the traditional analog VHF that could save your life! This article focuses on the life saving benefits of this technology and is not intended to cover all of the benefits of DSC VHF communications.

STANDARD HORIZON HX851 Floating Handheld VHF with Built-In GPS
STANDARD HORIZON
HX851 Floating Handheld VHF with Built-In GPS

DSC stands for Digital Selective Calling.  DSC allows for the digital communication of information.  This method of communication is standard on all commercial vessels and common place among pleasure craft.  As of 2009 this technology has made its way into select hand held VHF radios.

DSC is used as a method of establishing initial contact between stations on the dedicated VHF marine channel 70.  Following a distress message by DSC, communications must be established by radiotelephony on a different channel to that used for the DSC call.  Most radios manage this automatically for you by switching to channel 16.

To obtain the full functionality of a DSC radio you must obtain a MMSI (Marine Mobile Service Identifier) number from Industry Canada.  This number is unique to you and your radio.  There is no cost to obtain an MMSI number and by filling out the forms and filing your request you are establishing a file with the Canadian Coast Guard.  This file contains vital information about you, your boat, and emergency contact information.  Once you obtain your MMSI number you program it into your radio’s memory where it is permanently stored.  You can think of the MMSI number as caller ID for your radio as it is transmitted automatically with all digital communications.

Most DSC radios also incorporate GPS technology.  While they cannot be used for navigation purposes like a full GPS unit they will provide the GPS coordinates of your position.  This GPS information is also transmitted with most digital communications and always incorporated into a distress call.

A DSC distress call is activated by a single button on the radio which automatically sends a distress call to all DSC equipped ships, boats, and shore locations within range.  The call automatically includes your identity (MMSI), your GPS coordinates and the nature of your distress, which can be edited if needed.  The call is automatically repeated until stopped by an acknowledgement message.  In the event that you are separated from your boat and or radio this is a particularly useful feature.  When received by the Coast Guard this message and the digital information is automatically recorded.

Because this message is transmitted to all vessels in the area there is a high likelihood that a commercial or pleasure craft in the area will be able to respond to your emergency in a much more timely manner than the Coast Guard.  And since most of them will have GPS navigation equipment on board they will be able to determine and navigate to your location much more accurately than you are likely to articulate over the radio in an emergency situation.

There are many other benefits of DSC communications, several of which are worth mentioning in this article.  Once you obtain the MMSI number of a fellow boater you can directly contact them using this number.  It can also be stored in most radios to create a directory much like your home or cell phone does.  Another useful feature of this technology is that it allows Group Calling through via a Group MMSI number.  In this case the number is not allocated to a specific person or radio.  This number is used to communicate to all members of a specific group.  (Currently GLSKA is in the process of obtaining a Group MMSI number.)  An example of the use of this might be that you arrived late for a trip and wish to contact any member in the group with their radio on.  In this case you would not need to know who is in the group as you call would be sent to all members.

Hopefully this article sheds some light on the new technologies available through DSC VHF radio communications.

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GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.