CG66 Scheme

[Safetyman]

I recently completed my VHF radio course (which was interesting and would recommend it) and was interested to discover the CG66 scheme which I have never heard anyone mention before.

Is anyone on here registered for it, does anyone use it or does anyone have any comments on it good or bad?

[The Jester]

I've been registered for a few years now, with fishing alone quite a few times it is a great idea....

Here's a like to register online..

https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/cg66/

[Red5]

I recently completed my VHF radio course (which was interesting and would recommend it) and was interested to discover the CG66 scheme which I have never heard anyone mention before.

Is anyone on here registered for it, does anyone use it or does anyone have any comments on it good or bad?

As a serving Coastguard Rescue Officer I can tell you it makes it a hell of a lot easier to organise Rescue Services to find you if we know a few details about your vessel

[Captain marky mark]

Cheers for the link chris, thought I would register. Better safe than sorry, and if it helps the coastguard it has to be worth it.

[lingking]

certainly cant thing of any negative value,its free and saves coastguard have to acertain info from you should you be in trouble.

if you have ever heard the radio traffic between humber coast guard and a vessel in trouble,you like me are probably amazed at the time it can take to find out the colour,size etc of a vessel if they already know this, jobs a good un

[Peter M]

I've been registered for a few years now, with fishing alone quite a few times it is a great idea....

Here's a like to register online..

https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/cg66/

Thanks for the link Jester. Just registered, it was very easy and painless!

[Kev1n]

I've registered with them. It was easy enough and they even send you a reminder after a couple of years for you to check that your details are still up-to-date. Hopefully, I’ll never need to test how well it works when they use it for search and rescues.

[paulR]

cant rightly remember but when i registered with offcom think i had to fill this info in to mmsi number boat name size etc etc so when button pressed linked in to your gps
they got all this info been wrong a few times to mind

[Safetyman]

Thanks for the many positive replies which seem to underline what I thought.

But does anyone actually call up the coastguard on their way out of the harbour and inform the coastguard where they are going, how long they will be, how many persons are on the boat and that they are CG66 registered?

I first saw this on the DVD "Inshore Boat Fishing" and thought it was a good idea but didn't know that it was part of the CG66 scheme. As well as the Coastguard knowing vital details of the your boat, by contacting the coastguard when setting off, he also has a rough idea of your whereabouts which would potentially narrow down the search area if the unthinkable should happen.

In reality does the coastguard want to know when you leave harbour and where you are going? I am very interested to find out as I don't want to give information to the coastguard that they do not need or want and find that it is just annoyance value that they accept this information.

[Kev1n]

That’s a good question. SOLAS V regulations say that you should have a passage plan when going to sea. The don’t say what form that plan should be in so most anglers would argue that they have a plan but not in recorded form.
I’ve never known anyone ring or call in their plan to the coastguard, although when conditions at sea deteriorate and vessels run for home, some radio through to the CG and provide routine updates of progress until they’re safe.

The Tyne’s Vessel Traffic Service (callsign “Tyne VTS” ch12), and other ports' VTS too, like to be informed by vessels heading in and out.

[Safetyman]

I contacted the coastguard to see what there view was regarding my question and here is there reply:-

"The process of reporting to the Coastguard is acceptable and if you are a registered CG66 user then it would be helpful to mention it.

However, the taking of a radio Traffic Report (TR) by the Coastguard does not imply that we have accepted an obligation to you to monitor your safety.
It is necessary for you to make sure you have the means to make an emergency alert, and be able to survive until rescue arrives, if you get into trouble.
It is also sensible practice that you have advised a reliable contact ashore of your plans and/or intended time back. They can then contact the Coastguard if you fail to return on time or do not make an expected communication. Such a contact should also be told of your intended voyage plan and route. If you change your route or plans you should advise them.

Sensible emergency alerting systems include EPIRBs and VHF DSC radio.

Please note: The communication with the Coastguard for this type of call should begin with a routine DSC call as this is the correct radio procedure to use."