[CQ-Contest] 14.300

[Dave Mueller N2NL]

   As an active duty member of the US Coast Guard, I'm somewhat skeptical
of the usefullness of the Maritime Mobile net from a search and rescue
standpoint.  I've read a couple stories over the years of people helped
on this frequency, but it's probably because they didn't use the other
means of communication available to them.  14.300 is more of a
gathering point for sailers to keep in touch with their friends and
families than an emergency services frequency.  To state that 14.300 is
the unofficial emergency frequency is no different from those contest
participants who say their operations are training for future
catastropies.
   The sailor who goes to sea with nothing but an HF rig is a stupid
sailor.  Documented vessels are required to have a working EPRIRB
onboard, and they are cheap enough that anyone can afford one.  They
are certainly cheaper than any HF rig!
   Last January, when we pulled three Mexican fisherman from 50 degree
water, they were found because they had an EPIRB, not because they
checked into the Maritime Mobile net.

  http://www.n2nl.net/gallery/patrol2?page=16

   I think this group, a group not unlike many other nets on the bands
today, uses their "unofficial emergency frequency" statement in an
attempt to keep "their" frequency clear.  If marine radio manufacturers
are indeed printing this frequency in their manuals, shame on them, and
shame on Gordon West who's made living from licensing sailors.  They
might get someone killed some day.

73, Dave N2NL
Chief Petty Officer, US Coast Guard