Advancement: Roger, Wilco! Send a message about Radio Procedures that your crew will receive.
Through a combination of hands-on activities, shared reading from the Sea Scout manual, and group conversations, the following program will help you adeptly train your crew in radio protocol and meet the requirements of Apprentice Requirement 5c.
Step 1: Assessment Conversation
Let’s being by having a conversation with your crew. It’s all too easy to open with “turn your Sea Scout Manual to page…” and have scouts start reading, but lets establish some common ground first. The goal is to find out what your scouts already know about radio protocol and to have them establish (through leading questions) why it is important to know proper procedure. In other words, “so what?” Here are some questions to guide a conversation:
Have you used a radio on a vessel before?
What was the experience like? (if answers are vague, use the next question)
Are you comfortable using the radio, or does it cause you stress or anxiety?
What would be some reasons that someone would need to make a radio call?
How would knowing proper procedure make the radio call experience better?
How would NOT knowing proper procedure make a radio call experience difficult?
Step 2: Opening Activity
After the conversation has wrapped up, it’s time for an exercise. Divvy your crew into 3 pairs of 2 youth each. Place one member of each team on one side of the room, place the others on the opposite side of the rooms. Have them sit so each group cannot see the faces of their partners. (Visually, you now have 3 youth one side of the room, 3 on the other, backs turned.) We are going to show the importance of procedure and channels. Each team member will need to accomplish a conversation with their partner, while at the same time the other teams are also attempting conversation. Pass out an index card with a specific message for one team member to
tell their partner across the room. Perhaps it’s a list of groceries to purchase, or a list of driving directions. The last might be asking their partner to recite the math problems that were assigned as homework for the night. Give the youth a countdown and a 30 second time limit to effectively send their message. Noisy chaos will likely ensue, and it is doubtful any message will be correctly received, let alone all three.
Step 3: Follow-Up Conversation
After this exercise, evaluate how well the messages were received, and have another conversation:
Was this an effective means of communicating your message?
Was it easy to hear your partner?
Were you getting frustrated?
What if this were a life or death situation, how would you have felt?
What could have made this experience easier?
(Someone will likely say “texting it! You can validate that response, but remind them cell signal can be spotty at best when underway, and the Coast Guard still uses radio for communication.)
This is a good place to talk about why different channels exist for different purposes. Namely, we don’t all speak over one another, and channel assignments assure we use particular channels only for certain kinds of calls. Just like freeway lanes - with boundaries and driving rules - keep cars moving along, radio channels help messages move along. It’s also why we use pro-words like “over” and “wilco” and “roger” to effectively and concisely communicate.
Step 4: Read from the Sea Scout Manual
Now that we’ve established the necessity for protocol, let’s read out loud the portion of the Sea Scout Manual on radio communications. Feel free to stop the reading and highlight certain portions, especially those that were brought up in the preceding conversations.
Step 5: Practical Experience
Since we shouldn’t use an actual VHF radio for the sake of practice, we will simulate radio calls.
The easiest way to simulate calls is to have youth sit in two chairs, back to back, so they cannot see one another. If you have walkie-talkies, you could also sit youth in two adjoining rooms, but it is easiest to start with the back to back model.
A template is provided below, adapted from the Sea Scout manual, for practicing basic, non-emergency communication between two vessels. (Radio A) Give youth a copy of this sheet and allow them to start by reading from it as they practice communicating with one another. As they become more comfortable with the procedure, have them move “off script.”
There is also a template for emergency calls. (Radio B) Be sure youth understand the difference between Mayday, Pan Pan, and Security. An interactive way to accomplish this is to have a stack of index cards with various situations described. Scouts take turns coming forward, taking an index card, reading its’ contents to the crew, and stating the correct hail. With adequate knowledge of proper emergency hails, move on to practicing this type of call.
Remind scouts that placing an emergency call on the radio isn’t much different than placing a 911 call. The most important thing is location! location! location! so the Coast Guard can get help moving quickly. Next, state the type of emergency and who on board is affected. Then send specific details pertaining to how many other crew are on board and the type of your vessel.
Be sure to allow ample practice time for simulated calls. Have them practice both sending and receiving calls with various partners. To make this more entertaining, you can create messages for your crew to send to one another themed around popular tv shows, movies, or video games. There is a sample template provided below. (Radio C)
Certain youth will take to this quicker than others. Be patient and encouraging, and don’t forget that while making a basic voice-to-voice call is second nature to you, it is most likely not so for the teens in your crew.
Step 6: Final Conversation
Conclude your training session with a final conversation.
Which parts of this were easy? Which parts were more difficult?
How will this knowledge help you on future trips underway?
How was the experience of speaking “blind” to your partner?
In the face of an emergency, would you be confident sending an emergency message?
Lastly, we have provided two quizzes attached to test comprehension of emergency hails and to provide a simulated emergency situation for the scout to report using proper radio procedure. The ability to pass this quiz and verbal simulation indicates proficiency in Apprentice requirement 5c. (Radio D & E)
This concludes the Radio Protocol Lesson Plan.
Non-Emergency Radio communications protocol (Radio A)
There is a prescribed format used to initiate a call on a marine radiotelephone. All calls are made on channel 16 when VHF is used. Once contact is established, both stations shift to a working frequency to transact their business. Here’s an example of the procedure:
Hailing Vessel: S.S.S. Invincible KM 520
Hailed Vessel: S.S.S. Scout KD 1996
The hailing vessel begins:
“S.S.S. Scout, S.S.S. Scout, S.S.S. Scout. This is S.S.S. Invincible, Kilo Mike five-two-zero. Over.”
The vessel being called answers:
“S.S.S. Invincible, this is S.S.S. Scout, Kilo Delta one-niner-niner-six. Over.”
The two stations agree on the working channel
“Scout, this is Invincible; shift and answer to channel six eight. Over.”
“Six eight; wilco. Over”
Both stations now shift to channel 68.
The called station speaks next:
“Invincible, this is Scout, Kilo Delta one niner niner six. Over.”
The vessel that originated the call now identifies itself and the conversation proceeds:
“Scout, this is Invincible, Kilo Mike five five zero two. Over.”
(The message now follows.) Each vessel’s radio operator takes turn speaking. Be sure to speak clearly and concisely. EACH message ends with “over” to let the other party know that a reply is desired.
When the hailed vessel receives the message, they say “Rodger,” which means I understand. Then they send their message.
When the business is concluded, both stations sign off and shift back to channel 16.
“S.S.S. Invincible, Kilo Mike five-two-zero, switching to channel one-six, out.”
“S.S.S. Scout, Kilo Delta one-niner-niner-six, switching to channel one-six, out.”
Each station spends as little time as possible on channel 16, clearing it for emergency and other use. Remember: speak clearly, concisely, and refrain from idle chit-chat.
Emergency Radio communications protocol (Radio B)
Non-Emergency Radio Communications Drill (Radio C - page 1)
Hailing Vessel
Vessel Name: S.S.S. Minnow Call sign: AGE 1968
Vessel to hail: S.S.S. Skipper Call sign: ___________________
Working Ch: 71
Message to transmit: The weather is getting rough. Our tiny ship has been tossed. Our last known position was 48° 63’ 46” N, 51° 32’ 12” W. There are 7 people aboard.
Message received:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Non-Emergency Radio Communications Drill (Radio C - page 2)
Receiving Vessel
Vessel Name: S.S.S. Skipper Call sign BUW 293
Vessel hailing: _______________________ Call sign: ____________________
Message received:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Message to transmit: A sheriff boat has been dispatched. Our position is 43° 19’ 22” N, 61° 21’ 09” W. Keep your passengers, especially the movie star, safe. Avoid uncharted islands.
Apprentice 5C: Radio Hails Quiz (Radio D)
Determine which situation calls for Mayday, Pan Pan, and Security.
1. A mast breaks in a storm, a crewman is knocked unconscious.
2. While at sea you run across a buoy floating adrift.
3. A crewman has a severely turned ankle and cannot walk on it at all.
4. A fire breaks out in your engine room, people are severely burned.
5. A crewman loses a finger in a winch.
6. You come across an unusual and large pile of floating debris.
7. You lose all power and your vessel is adrift.
8. You skipper becomes violently ill and cannot command the vessel.
Define the determining factors used to make each type of emergency call.
Security:
Mayday:
Pan Pan:
Apprentice 5C: Radio Hails Quiz KEY
Determine which situation calls for Mayday, Pan Pan, and Security.
1. A mast breaks in a storm, a crewman is knocked unconscious.
Mayday
2. While at sea you run across a buoy floating adrift.
Security
3. A crewman has a severely turned ankle and cannot walk on it at all.
Pan Pan
4. A fire breaks out in your engine room, people are severely burned.
Mayday
5. A crewman loses a finger in a winch.
Pan Pan
6. You come across an unusual and large pile of floating debris.
Security
7. You lose all power and your vessel is adrift.
Pan Pan
8. You skipper becomes violently ill and cannot command the vessel.
Pan Pan
Define the determining factors used to make each type of emergency call.
Security:
Used to report hazard to navigation, buoy off station, extreme weather, etc.
Mayday:
Distress - Loss of life, serious illness or injury, or loss of the vessel is possible.
Pan Pan:
Urgent – Safety of the vessel or person is in jeopardy. Loss of life or property is not likely but help is needed.
Apprentice 5C: Simulated Emergency Call (Radio E)
Using the following information, simulate hailing the coast guard and requesting assistance. Be sure to use the proper emergency hail (mayday, pan pan, or security), and provide the pertinent information in the correct order. To more accurately reflect your area, change vessel names and landmarks as you see fit.
· There is a fire in the engine room.
· You are returning from an excursion on the vessel Acadia. Call sign: RT 398.
· You are approximately eight miles from Avalon, headed to the port of Los Angeles.
(insert lat and long from GPS or ships chart here.)
· 9 people on board, 2 adults and 7 youth. There are multiple burns on one adult
and one child.
· Your vessel is: Feet 32, type motor sailboat 1977, color: white with navy blue and
wood trim, number of masts: 1.
· Immediate danger of vessel and of life.
Apprentice 5C: Simulated Emergency Call KEY
Using the following information, simulate hailing the coast guard and requesting assistance. Be sure to use the proper emergency hail (mayday, pan pan, or security), and provide the pertinent information in the correct order. To more accurately reflect your area, change vessel names and landmarks as you see fit.
Key:
“Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
This Arcadia, Arcadia, Arcadia, Romeo Tango three-niner-eight.
Mayday, Arcadia.”
State location
State nature of distress
State number of persons on board and conditions of any injured
State present seaworthiness of vessel
State descriptors of your vessel
I will be listening on Channel one-six.
This is Arcadia Romeo Tango three-niner-eight, over.”
Sea Scouts Training Day, & Maritime Explorers too!
Sea Scouts Training Day, & Maritime Explorers too!
Ship 272, Midtown Manhattan
Ship 343, Breezy Point, Queens
Ship 441, Forest Hills, Queens
Ship 24, New Dorp, Staten Island
Ship 134 Harbor School, Governors Island
What do Sea Scouts do when it gets cold in the North East? Get training so we can have fun on the water in Spring Summer and Fall! Did you know we already have 5 Ships, what you mud scouts call Troops, right here in GNYC? When you tun 14, your adventure in scouting goes into high gear. Why not dual register! For troops looking to excite their older scouts, we have built high adventure already built in. And we always have had girls in Sea Scouts, so no need to join an all-girl program. From paddle sports, to Sailing, to Scuba, to Power Boating, we own adventure on, in, near and around the water. Our winter and spring training events gets you started off right, learn from experienced professionals. And with our new partnership with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, you can become a member of the only uniformed volunteer service organization in the united states. Sign up with one of our active ships today, get trained and get prepared for fun this summer!
LOCATION SUNY Maritime College Museum housed in historic Fort Schuyler on the campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College, in the Bronx, New York. 6 Pennyfield Avenue Bronx, NY 10465
BSA Northeast Area 2 will be sponsoring a Sea Scout Training Day at SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler on Saturday, 14 March 2020. The event will consist of various training modules geared toward specific Sea Scout rank advancements as well as a campus tour and presentation by the college admissions staff for those who are interested. Courses are geared toward various levels of experience, from new members through more advanced persons. Lunch in the college cafeteria will be included in the cost of registration.
Some of the Courses offered:
Weather: Marlinspike: Basic knots you need to know, splicing, whipping, advantages and disadvantages of different lines, how to throw a heaving line, use of block and tackle. Sextant Basic: Sextant Advanced: Radio Communication: Engine Maintenance: Will cover basic oil change, checking engine filters, belts, tools, impellers, importance of preventative maintenance. Differences between diesel and gasoline engines. Electrical Maintenance: How to check a connection, strip a wire, and other basic electrical maintenance. Basic Boating: Boat handling, safety equipment, getting underway, anchoring, rules of the road. Safety at Sea - Abandoning Ship: This course will compare and contrast safety equipment used on recreational and commercial vessels specifically focused on life saving devices used to abandon ship. Topics that will be covered: visual distress signals, familiarization,
immersion suit donning procedures, life rafts component identification and station bill. Students will be able to handle equipment. This class will take place on the waterfront docks and aboard the M/V Indv7. Ship Simulator: For youth only. Sit at the helm and control the ship. Campus Tour/SUNY Maritime Q & A For those scouts interested in pursuing a maritime education and future career by taking advantage of the facilities and programs available at SUNY Maritime College. Informational purpose only, no recruitment involved. Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training (SSALBT) Instructor: TBA
The event will begin promptly at 9:00am on Saturday, All crews will muster around the flagpole in the Fort at this time. Please plan on arriving at least a half hour early, as participants will need to pick up their ID badges and class assignments at the registration table in the Fort main lobby before proceeding to the Opening Ceremonies.