Hello Dick,

100% agree that there are many different styles of cruising, and no ‘correct’ way.

As you feel safer having an SSB, by all means do. Or if you just like the social aspects of cruising nets. No skipper should feel it necessary to justify their decision to use, or eschew, SSB communications ... certainly not to me, anyway!

My previous post was not intended to deter Rod from becoming licensed or using his SSB. Other than the cost of purchase and installation headaches, I see no real downside to having an SSB (and apparently his is already fitted, so he doesn’t have to worry about those issues).

Best wishes, Roger

P.S. I don’t know if you have yet had the pleasure of meeting Bob, but he is excellent company and in no way dogmatic.

+x

 

Roger Harris - 29 Jan 2021

I agree with the observation that SSB use is much more common in US-flagged yachts than those of Great Britain or the EU. Perhaps some of that difference is indeed attributable to regulatory hassles. However, I wonder if it’s not a cultural thing, too. I’m reminded of the indomitable Bob Shepton’s comments in “Addicted to Adventure” (2014):“[A]ll these American boats seemed to want to keep in touch with each other via the Ham radio network. Part of this radio traffic comprised of a general injunction to report one’s position and course, the wind direction, wind strength and numerous other details, daily, to some controller on land.“I could not help wondering what had happened to the peace and solitude of ocean sailing, and the mantra ‘On mountains and sea/If ye canna look after yourself/There you should not be,’ came to mind. I did not see why someone miles away on land should tell me what the weather was like where I was and direct which way I should go, however well meaning and well informed they might be. An over-reaction, perhaps, but I had just come from giving the weather lecture to soldiers in Bavaria, which I usually concluded by saying, ‘Study the clouds, watch the barometer, and spoil yourself by learning to read a synoptic chart, and you will know the weather.’ The contrast was glaring.”Best wishes, Roger

Hi Roger,
The difference in SSB usage may indeed be attributable to cultural differences. That said, there were a number of UK sailors in my years based in the UK who wished the process easier and at least one who just waited till he got to the Carib.
And there all sorts of reasonable ways to go out cruising: some are, for sure, like the author you quote, who believe that you should look after yourself, be on your own, and not be in contact with others, or not be out there. He comes quite close, to my mind, of espousing that there is a “right” way to go out cruising: his way.
Even the title of the comments you quote, “Addicted to Adventure” which points to a certain headset. I, for one, do not search for adventure in my cruising. I have loved ones with me and I am responsible for their safety and for the safety of my vessel. I am far more in line with Roald Amundsen who said: “Adventure is just bad planning”. If I can enhance the safety of my wife and son on a 6-day passage to Bermuda from NY by talking with Southbound II, Herb Hilgenberg, in his basement in Toronto on Marine SSB, I will certainly take advantage of his years of experience in weather forecasting and routing while recognizing that this in no way relieves me of any responsibility. (His many contributions to safe sailing on the North Atlantic won him a justly deserved award from the OCC.)
And there is many a very competent and experienced skipper who feel that good seamanship includes hiring a weather/routing advisor. The skipper should be already well versed and experienced in reading the weather in the way your quoted author describes, but it could be argued, the skipper would be remiss in not collecting data from sources available if it enhances the safety of vessel and crew. Again, collecting outside information in no way relieves him/her of responsibility for the vessel but might be supported as good seamanship and in no way deserving of being mocked.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

I agree with the observation that SSB use is much more common in US-flagged yachts than those of Great Britain or the EU. Perhaps some of that difference is indeed attributable to regulatory hassles. However, I wonder if it’s not a cultural thing, too. I’m reminded of the indomitable Bob Shepton’s comments in “Addicted to Adventure” (2014):

“[A]ll these American boats seemed to want to keep in touch with each other via the Ham radio network. Part of this radio traffic comprised of a general injunction to report one’s position and course, the wind direction, wind strength and numerous other details, daily, to some controller on land.

“I could not help wondering what had happened to the peace and solitude of ocean sailing, and the mantra ‘On mountains and sea/If ye canna look after yourself/There you should not be,’ came to mind. I did not see why someone miles away on land should tell me what the weather was like where I was and direct which way I should go, however well meaning and well informed they might be. An over-reaction, perhaps, but I had just come from giving the weather lecture to soldiers in Bavaria, which I usually concluded by saying, ‘Study the clouds, watch the barometer, and spoil yourself by learning to read a synoptic chart, and you will know the weather.’ The contrast was glaring.”

Best wishes, Roger

+x

 

bwallace - 25 Jan 2021

Hi Rob,
I am not sure where you are based, but if UK,  Try Bob Smith, at Yachtcom in Southampton. Email office@yachtcom.co.uk
I did his  SSB course about 15 years ago, I think it was over 3 days including the exam. Lots of preparation beforehand makes the exam reasonably straightforward. 

For  distance cruising an SSB is a great companion and helps you to share your problems and joys with other yachts in your vicinity etc. Besides the obvious weather and safety factors.

So give Bob a call and stay safe

Over!
Brian
S/V Darramy 

Hi Rod,
Here is hoping your plans come to pass. They sound great!
I take it you are UK based as this would not be an issue for a US based operator.
I believe the following to be true, but please verify.
For marine SSB use in the US there is no formal training, but there is a license application. This makes sense as the marine SSB radios are designed to preclude the kinds of activities that are illegal (or frowned upon) and that formal training teaches you to avoid. (This is mostly done by having discrete channels that “force” you to stay on frequency.)
I was sailing-based in the UK and Europe for many years and found it bewildering how little SSB radio usage there was. This was after having come from a world where marine SSB usage was an everyday activity and instrumental in the sharing of information, weather, and staying in touch with friends and in making new friends.
Then I learned of the hoops (expense, time etc.) the UK made one go through to get a marine SSB cert. and it made sense. A better system could hardly be devised to ensure that cruisers would not adopt marine SSB. And to no end, as marine SSB is hard to abuse.
Amateur radio (ham) is another story. There the training makes more sense (now that Morse code proficiency is no longer required) and the equipment, being potentially far more powerful, flexible and sophisticated is open to abuse: inadvertent or otherwise.
Both marine and ham SSB are likely to be very appreciated in a myriad of ways in a cn so please do not get discouraged. Friends have waited till the Carib to get licensed and buy equipment (St. Martin is duty free). I would hope (and expect) that once out of UK waters, UK rules for marine SSB use would not apply.
BTW, what SSB do you have and is it installed with antenna coupler/tuner etc.?
My best, Dick Stevenson, KC2HKW, WCZ7717, s/v Alchemy

Hi Rob,
I am not sure where you are based, but if UK,  Try Bob Smith, at Yachtcom in Southampton. Email office@yachtcom.co.uk
I did his  SSB course about 15 years ago, I think it was over 3 days including the exam. Lots of preparation beforehand makes the exam reasonably straightforward. 

For  distance cruising an SSB is a great companion and helps you to share your problems and joys with other yachts in your vicinity etc. Besides the obvious weather and safety factors.

So give Bob a call and stay safe

Over!
Brian
S/V Darramy 

Hi All,

My wife and I are off (with a little luck and a following wind blowing away some Covid) on a three year possible circumnavigation and need certification to use our SSB radio. The courses that we have found on the web seem to be very long and involved - usually for ship's radio operators it seems. Does anyone know of a course that will allow us to use our SSB that is less than 2 weeks long? I am sure that I heard somewhere of a 2-day course, but can't find it anywhere...

Wishing you all a better year...!

Rod