This one of my local bays taken yesterday.
All the will in the world say's yes, but the computer say's Nooooooo !!
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, I am getting about 250 hits per day and its nice to get some feedback. Really it's all about the yak and fishing but I always find it easy to deviate away from the subject once I start a new post...
That said, I have been doing quite a bit of reading other yak fishing experiences across the world. A lot of time and thought goes into safety gear and really I could not agree more. Cost is a big thing these days so while I might like to pop out and spend a load of wad on safety gear I do have to be a little reserved and like most people build it up over time. My long time adventure and yak fishing mate Tony is a good planner and he won't leave the shore without thinking of where he is going, what risks are around, like weather tides and current and a get out plan. I think he even has it planned in his head without really thinking about it. He swears by his marine radio and I must agree that even when I am out with him I do feel a little more confident that we have backup if it all goes pear shaped.
It's all too easy to jump in paddle out, the wind direction changes and increases thus leaving you in a sticky situation. That was exactly what we did late last year and it was in the back of my mind we might just need to use the radio for help. Thankfully we made it back to the harbour albeit pretty exhausted after paddling up current into an increasing headwind. Lesson learnt.... I will go up wind first, fish on a drift back and if i feel like another upwind run i can do so knowing i will get blown back to launch point..
This brings me to the newest edition of my yak gear.
This is a little Baofeng UV-5R radio I picked up from ebay for £25 delivered. It can transmit and receive on all marine channel frequencies and on top of that it can hit local repeaters on 2m and 70cm which is a bonus. there is a repeater which overlooks my local area and i get a good strong receive signal there with the slightly upgraded aerial attached.
I have now decided to go and take my HAM exam which is now organised for mid February. As far as reading into the law regarding broadcasting on UK marine channels without a licence, you can transmit on any marine channel in an emergency regardless of marine radio licence, not only does this help crews to reach you a little faster but it costs less for the coastguard having to conduct a wide area search for my little 12ft camoflaged yak when they will already have my exact position.
My only advice is to stay calm during a situation and if you need to call the coastguard give clear answers to the questions they will ask regarding location and your situation. Again for transmitting on HAM radio frequencies, you need to have completed an exam and have an official call sign according to Offcom, which i should have pretty soon, but I cannot see any problems using the service if there is risk to life
Although not a perfect fix for the comms it's a fantastically cheap way to improve your safety x2 as you can ustilise marine freqs and HAM both. All I need now is a little waterproof cover and its ready to hit the next fishing trip which is still pending... My mate, crazy Taff (Tony), is off to the Bonnie Scotland in the near future with his Perception Triumph 13 for a deep water Skate trip. I am donating some frozen octopus for his bait coctails. I wish him tight lines and I will include a quick update on that trip in my next posting...
Thats it for now, i know i have said it before but i am hoping my next Update is full of yakking and fishing..
Keep watching for more updates.
Dave
Moken Yakker
