New handheld VHF required.

[Channel Ribs]

You could conceivably have an electrical fire inside the console. So I would say that the engine is not the only place a fire can occur.

I would also suggest that it wont take long for an engine fire to spread to a fuel line or hypalon fire as both flash earlier than the GRP.

Though having seen some burnt out RIBs the fibreglass does appear to go up with enthusiasm too!

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by SPR

Martini's Gun boats

He has given all that up for a life of slippers aboard and spirit lockers.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

He has given all that up for a life of slippers aboard and spirit lockers.

Makes you wonder what illicit activities could have paid for it all

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

The battery (soon to be -ies) and radio are fitted to the console, totally isolated if you like, from the fire. They could be used to send a distress message quite easily, certainly enough time to fire a 25W DSC message.

And you reckon the power cables won't have shorted together in your burning engine and pulled the battery voltage too low for the VHF to work!

Originally Posted by Copinsay

Wow - I didn't realise things had got that bad in England since I moved to Orkney... good you have thought these things through though.

You obviously don't realise how many people he's wound up round these parts

[Poly]

Gotchi,

I like your optimism at being able to fight an engine fire with the equipment you have on board. Does into-the-red have a fuel isolator you can reach without going near the engine and pref without opening any console/hatches? You might be successful, but with no fire detection equipment on a typical outboard, plenty of fuel, the smoke/smell being left behind you I'd guess it will be reasonably well alight before you even notice.

Of course outboard fires are not the only possibility. Fuel spill on deck (a leaking fuel container or burst fuel line) + spark; BBQ's on deck; electrical fire in console or under deck wiring etc are all quite possible. In any of those cases I think its quite possible that you don't want to get to the console to hit the red button; find your electrics are all dead even if remote from the flames; discover that your 25W fixed radio is functioning but the critical ariel is melted in the heat.

Good luck, whichever emergency you encounter having the presence of mind and the time to find the settings to turn the GPS back on and transmit your message. I hope you are still fit and able to do so - because any passengers or crew you had briefed in the magic red button almost certainly won't get anything more complicated right in a panic.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Besides, if it was on fire then I wouldn't be using the handheld DSC, I would still be on the boat and therefore able to use flares/fixed DSC/AIS not to mention PLB permanently on my lifejacket

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Well I don't even have a working fixed VHF anyway so the HX851 is my only radio

HX851 + PLB is the way forward

Is it any wonder this thread has gone in circles - gotchiguy doesn't seem to know what kit he actually has on board!

[EnglishLes]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Neither am I, but I also vaguely recall it has a specific name.

The police quote something called "the ways and means act" which is described internally as "if something is right it is right even it it is illegal".

This act is not actually on the Statute books but I understand they use it to arrest people and then charge them with something more appropriate when at the station.

Is that what you are thinking of?

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by EnglishLes

This act is not actually on the Statute books but I understand they use it to arrest people and then charge them with something more appropriate when at the station.

Thanks for that, but the one I have in mind is the other end of the spectrum. Something about the law cannot force someone into a position where they put themselves in harms way, like the cycle lane that is dangerous to use for example.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Well this has all got jolly exciting..

Gotchi, a wise man once gave me a bit of advice that's stood the test of time, "Son, when tha's in an 'ole, stop thi diggin'"

[gotchiguy]

[wavelength]

flashpoint of petroleum spirit is below 21 C....although it was all in logical proper units of degrees F when I was heavily involved with the stuff. We all get complacent with petrol and forget the amount of energy stored within it...and I'm as bad or worse that the rest although perhaps I should know better

Gotchi, a wise man once gave me a bit of advice that's stood the test of time, "Son, when tha's in an 'ole, stop thi diggin'"

probably also advised that this is the time to go out and get a really well paid job..while you still know everything about everything. Before you grow up and realise that actually you don't!

No offence Gotchi, we've all been there

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by wavelength

probably also advised that this is the time to go out and get a really well paid job..while you still know everything about everything. Before you grow up and realise that actually you don't!

No offence Gotchi, we've all been there

Ouch!! a tad harsh But as you say, been there, done it

[wavelength]

But as you say, been there, done it

cos you have ...we all did and I cringe when I look back on some of it as I probably made Gotchi look very reserved by comparison, but it all worked out well more by accident than design! Only problem was I managed to grow old (bugga!) but never really grew up, and its far too late to work on that now so I've decided not to bother

[willk]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

If it capsizes, it will float. If all the tubes burst and the hull is raked with machine gun fire, it will still float.

Relax Gotchi, I'm not gonna make that C.I. trip.

[alt]

Sorry to hi-jack thread thread, but thought i'd join in rather than start a new thread.

I co-ordinate our Thundercat safety and often thrash through surf at other times, many times capsizing and ending up in the water so I need a fully water-proof VHF.

The SH HX751 looks like a good option for me. What i'd need to know, is that does the VHF still remain fully water-proof when the submersible speaker/mic is attached? It just looks like a little 3.5mm mini-jack... what makes it waterproof? Does it screw in the last bit etc. does anyone know?

Here's the mic.... http://www.standardhorizon.com/Acces...ges/CMP460.jpg

[rigi36]

Love the HX751E. Simple, functional and robust.

[willk]

Originally Posted by alt

does anyone know?

Of course - this is RIBnet

That unit is identical to the Icom HM-125 (same moulding) and I have one. The Icom has a screw down cap on the cable that mates with a raised thread on the radio.

[willk]

Originally Posted by willk

Of course - this is RIBnet

That unit is identical to the Icom HM-125 (same moulding) and I have one. The Icom has a screw down cap on the cable that mates with a raised thread on the radio.

Mine takes a regular heavy soaking but I've never actually submerged it

[alt]

Originally Posted by willk

Mine takes a regular heavy soaking but I've never actually submerged it

The issue is that I need a straight out, no non-sense WATERPROOF jobbie, as I do be often flung out of the boat and can remain floating in the water for a few minutes before being recovered (VHF could be attached to my BA so at chest level hence under the water)

[Dhf]

icom ic-m33 floats and waterproof at 1 metre depth for 30 min. and holds a great charge. with an Aquaquake drain function for speakers, which basically emits sound that blasts water out.

[alt]

Originally Posted by Dragonhawk ficht

icom ic-m33 floats and waterproof at 1 metre depth for 30 min. and holds a great charge. with an Aquaquake drain function for speakers, which basically emits sound that blasts water out.

I read that alright, and have a friend going to the US soon so could pick one up at a reasonable price. Was just wondering about the HX270 with remote mic/speaker as a cheaper alternative