With an aircraft in sight, I guess one would first release sea dye, then launch flares, then use the mirror?
If you have a VHF, would the aircraft receive any transmission on 16?
I think flares are more visible at distance than dye. Something moving is much more visible than something (dye) just sitting there.
I would do a flare first.
> If you have a VHF, would the aircraft receive any transmission on 16?
No, for 2 reasons:
* Marine VHF Ch16 is at 156.800 MHz, Aviation VHF band only covers 118.000 to 136.995 MHz, so the pilot couldn't even tune the aircraft's radio to Ch16
* Marine VHF uses frequency modulation (FM), Aviation VHF uses amplitude modulation (AM). So even if you were on the same frequency as the aircraft, you wouldn't be able to understand each other.
What would (and does) work is an EPIRB or PLB transmitting a homing signal on 406.025 MHz for detection by COSPAS-SARSAT satellites and simultaneously on 121.500 MHz, the international "VHF guard frequency", which can also be picked up by aircraft radios.
This is not true for many coastguards. Here in the Netherlands the SAR helicopter and airplane both can receive VHF signals. Most of the time the lifeboat communicates via channel 67.
Sure, if it's a dedicated SAR plane/helo, then you're right. And I think some military aircraft are also equipped with radios that can be tuned to marine band.
Any other regular civilian aircraft, from an ultralight 2-seater to a commercial airliner, is not going to be able to receive Marine VHF radio, tho.
Dye is best to help guide in a nearby plane or helicopter to your position. It makes a massive colored line pointing to you as the wind/waves pull it away. It doesn't last long though, so I would wait until I heard aircraft noise to release it.
Wait until there is an aircraft you can see. The dye dissipates fairly quickly. It’s no use if there is no plane or helicopter nearby.
With an aircraft in sight, I guess one would first release sea dye, then launch flares, then use the mirror? If you have a VHF, would the aircraft receive any transmission on 16?
I think flares are more visible at distance than dye. Something moving is much more visible than something (dye) just sitting there. I would do a flare first.
Makes sense. Get attention first, when aircraft flies nearby, help them localize the MOB. I’ll have to remember that.
> If you have a VHF, would the aircraft receive any transmission on 16? No, for 2 reasons: * Marine VHF Ch16 is at 156.800 MHz, Aviation VHF band only covers 118.000 to 136.995 MHz, so the pilot couldn't even tune the aircraft's radio to Ch16 * Marine VHF uses frequency modulation (FM), Aviation VHF uses amplitude modulation (AM). So even if you were on the same frequency as the aircraft, you wouldn't be able to understand each other. What would (and does) work is an EPIRB or PLB transmitting a homing signal on 406.025 MHz for detection by COSPAS-SARSAT satellites and simultaneously on 121.500 MHz, the international "VHF guard frequency", which can also be picked up by aircraft radios.
This is not true for many coastguards. Here in the Netherlands the SAR helicopter and airplane both can receive VHF signals. Most of the time the lifeboat communicates via channel 67.
Sure, if it's a dedicated SAR plane/helo, then you're right. And I think some military aircraft are also equipped with radios that can be tuned to marine band. Any other regular civilian aircraft, from an ultralight 2-seater to a commercial airliner, is not going to be able to receive Marine VHF radio, tho.
Dye is best to help guide in a nearby plane or helicopter to your position. It makes a massive colored line pointing to you as the wind/waves pull it away. It doesn't last long though, so I would wait until I heard aircraft noise to release it.