Knights of Columbus
Bishop Spalding Council 2761

For God and Country

CHARITY  *  UNITY  *  FRATERNIY  *  PATRIOTISM

Boat Club



River Information
 
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ODNR Division of Watercraft encourages all boaters using the Ohio River to install a VHF radio in their watercraft. The VHF radio may provide a vital link to obtaining help in the event of an "on-the-water" emergency.

Be aware that certain VHF channels are reserved for exclusive use purposes:

Channel Reserved for...
WX 1,2,3 Weather
13 Towboat traffic and lockmasters
16 Emergency, mayday and safety calling frequency
17 Exclusive state use
21 Exclusive United States Coast Guard
22 General public to Coast Guard/daily river level reports and updates for aids to navigation buoy and light reports
23 Exclusive United States Coast Guard
24-28 Marine telephone operator
81 Exclusive United States Coast Guard
83 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Emergency Radio Use

In the event of an emergency, distress calls are made on channel 16, the national distress frequency, using the following procedure:

  1. Select channel 16.
  2. State "mayday, mayday, mayday".
  3. Give your call sign and boat name.
  4. Give the location of your craft.
  5. Describe the emergency.
  6. If no answer, repeat the same sequence and wait.

Non-emergency Use

For normal radio operation: Select Channel 9 (a recognized hailing channel), state the name of the vessel you are attempting to contact, then your vessel's name and call numbers once; when the other craft responds, switch to another channel to talk.

Radio Licensing

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires a Ship Station License for some vessels equipped with VHF radios, RADAR, EPIRBs and some other telecommunications equipment. As of 1996, most recreational vessels no longer need the FCC license if operating domestically. "Domestically" means not traveling to foreign ports or transmitting to foreign stations, including Canada.

Vessels still required to carry an FCC Ship Station License are those:

  • power vessels over 20 meters (65.6 feet) in length;
  • certified to carry more than 6 passengers for hire;
  • towboats and commercial fishing vessels;
  • other vessels required by federal law to carry a VHF radio, radar, etc.

The Ship Station License must be on board the vessel.

A license application (Form 506) can be obtained from any office of the FCC. Call  1-800-418 FORM  1-800-418 FORM (3676) for an application and information. There is a fee for the license.

 

 

Have you ever had this feeling?

BOAT CLUB NEWS
ED DUNAGAN, SECRETARY

 Not a lot to report on for February 2010. The weather has been cold and the snow has kept a lot of people in. The turnout for the Mexican Fiesta was good and it appeared everyone had a good time. Thanks to Denny Weihe and Terry O’Rourke for again putting on the great event.

Some of our members had been missing in action. Seems in an effort to avoid the cold weather here in Louisville they elected to visit some far-a-way place of the south. Last information obtained most have made it back and have reported back to their real jobs, with some reporting back to retirement status. I’m sure there are some stories to be shared at future meetings.

Don’t forget we are less than a month away from starting with the new boating season. That means the yearly collection by the Dock Chairman for dock rental and your payment of dues to the boat club. I’m sure that will be mentioned in another part of this newsletter.

The next boat club meeting will be March 4th with social hour starting at 6:30, meal served at 7 PM and meeting at 8 PM. See you there.

  1. Boating Improves Quality of Life

    It’s a proven fact that recreational boating goes a long ways towards improving your quality of life. The minute you start to move forward on a boat, you’ll notice how easy it is to leave your troubles behind.  Recreational boating fun provides a constructive outlet for entertainment that reduces stress and provides enriching opportunities for self discovery, whether it’s learning how to water ski or simply enjoying the warm glow of an evening sunset.

  2. Boating is an Affordable Recreation Alternative

    Are you under the impression that recreational boating is too expensive for your current budget? Think again. Many boats can be financed for under $200 a month. Dedicated boating lenders will work with you to help you save money and get you the best financing package available. .

  3. Water Access is Closer than you Think

    Did you know that about ninety percent of Americans live less than an hour from a navigable body of water? This means that water access is a lot closer and more convenient than you might think.

  4. Boating Fun Helps you Bond with Friends and Family

  5. Fifty four percent of all households, in a study by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, listed fishing as their favorite boating activity (followed by cruising and relaxing with family and friends).  In other words, to many people the best part about boating doesn’t revolve around the latest waterskiing tricks or the number of fish caught- the best part of boating is simply the opportunities it provides for boating fun with friends and family.  Recreational boating is quality time spent away from the television set and the video games, creating an atmosphere that brings people together and creates fond memories to last a lifetime.

  6. Boating Helps Reduce Stress

    We can’t stress the statistics enough - numerous studies have shown that a little bit of boating fun each day can go a long way towards reducing stress.  In fact, a National Marine Manufacturers Association survey of over 1,000 American households listed boating in the top-three of all stress-relieving activities.

  7. Boating is Convenient

    As we pointed out above, since over ninety percent of Americans live less than an hour's drive from an accessible body of water, you can be enjoying the fresh air and water in no time.

    In fact, the convenience of boating makes it possible to hop on your boat for a mini-vacation whenever you feel like it, as an alternative to other family recreation activities which can quickly add up to become even more expensive and time-consuming.

  8. Boating is an Engaging and Rewarding Activity

    Recreational boating offers lots of opportunities for personal growth. Whether you’re instilling your child with extra confidence as they learn how to properly secure a line, or you’re enjoying the delicate taste of fresh fish that you caught yourself, boating recreation provides many different rewards for all ages.

  9. Boating is Good Exercise

    From a rigorous sailing excursion to an invigorating run on waterskis, boating provides sporting enthusiasts with many active endeavors to choose from.  In fact, we’d argue that simply breathing in the brisk wind coming off the water in itself can go a long ways towards strengthening one’s constitution- not to mention the additional physical and psychological benefits in terms of relaxation and stress relief.

  10. Recreational Boating is Easy to Learn

    If you’re new to boating, take heart. With so many available boating classes and courses to choose from, you’ll be out on the water before you know it. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to sail, or you’re just interested in new ways to spend quality time with your family, a wealth of available boater education courses make boating easier to learn than ever..

  11. Boating is FUN

    Last but definitely not least, one of the top reasons for boating is simply because it’s so much fun.

Copyright . Garry Steffey. All rights reserved.
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