Is this the Coast Guard?

N 41 44.861, W 124 11.024
Crescent City, CA

Passages are sometimes nerve wracking and also sometimes very boring. You can't always read or do anything else besides checking the surroundings, watching for traffic, monitoring the radar, navigation, VHF channel 16 and trying to stay awake during your watch.

We always monitor VHF channel 16. This is the hailing channel as well as the US Coast Guard channel. Some of the traffic is benign, such as the Coast Guard indicating that bar reports for such-and-such harbor will be reported on channel 22A or Pilots contacting ships to arrange for a pilot to come on board before transit of the bar. Occasionally there are requests for assistance from the Coast Guard. Below is a conversation we heard on our way into Crescent City. It is not word for word but it is pretty close. By the way, the boater has a southern US accent.

First hailing announcement: Is this the Coast Guard?
CG: This is the *garbled* Coast Guard, do you require assistance?
Boater: It won't start, not even a trickle. Just a click.
CG: This is the *garbled* Coast Guard, do you require assistance?
Boater: Yes, it won't start.
CG: What type of vessel is it?
Boater: I'm on a 26 foot Stryker.
CG: Captain, what is the name of your vessel?
Boater: I haven't gotten around to naming it yet.
CG: How many persons on board?
Boater: myself.
CG: Captain, how many persons are on board your boat?
Boater: just myself.
CG: Do you have a lifejacket on?
Boater: yes.
CG: Are you in danger of sinking or is there a fire on board?
Boater: no.
CG: What is your location?
Boater: Near Campbell Rock. I am drifting toward shore.
CG: How far away from shore are you?
Boater: About 300 yards.
CG Captain, do you have an anchor?
Boater: yes.
CG: Can you put out your anchor?
Boater: yes but I will be away from the radio for a bit while I put out the anchor.

pause in conversation

CG: Coast Guard calling vessel requiring assistance near Campbell Rock.
no response
CG: Coast Guard calling vessel requiring assistance near Campbell Rock.
Boater: yes.
CG: Is this the vessel requiring assistance near Campbell Rock?
Boater: yes, I need help.
CG: Could you please switch to channel 22A?
Boater: Do you want me to change to channel 22A?
CG: yes.
Boater: ok.

On 22A:
CG: Coast Guard calling vessel requiring assistance near Campbell Rock.
Boater: This is 22A.
CG: Is this the vessel requiring assistance near Campbell Rock?
Boater: yes, I need help.
CG: We are sending out assistance. It should be there within an hour. Have you put out an anchor?
Boater: yes the anchor is holding.

later on 22A:
CG: Coast Guard calling vessel requiring assistance near Campbell Rock.
Boater: yes.
CG: What are your current weather conditions?
Boater: what?
CG: What are your current weather conditions? Winds, Visibility, Sea State.
Boater: Visibility is great. I can see the Coast Guard cutter in front of me.

We got in before we heard any more conversation. We trust that the boater is okay. At least we were entertained for a while during the 'drama'.

We are still at Crescent City. Our plan is to fuel up tomorrow morning and then leave for Eureka.

No worries,
SV Windarra