coast guard

how much does it cost to join the coast guard/ also getting a vhf call sign ?

30 bucks for the call sign, just call CBES 0900 54332 - they charge it to your phone, id ring late in the day though as the dude is away from his desk a lot in the mornings


95$ to join coastguard at the mo and that gets you 100$ off a day skippers course and a discount for the VHF operators license course.

I just applied for them online, got my call sign a few weeks ago and just joined the coastguard this week. Non members can get coastguard assistance for $280 per hour but with membership at $95 you get unlimited assistance.

just joined coast guard / and got a call sign from the net makes you feel a bit safer out there when you cover all aspects

yeah and its a positive step for PWC users everywhere

is the call sign like your personal id number ? and do you need this when you use your VHF or if you need to call the coastguard ?
Do you choose your own number or is it allocated to you ?

yes it is your own id number and it shows them what you are on, color, make,if you have flares etc makes the search easier for them, and they allocate a CALL SIGN to you like ZMT5901 $30
i dont think you need a call sign but just makes it easy if they already know what there looking for instead of you trying to tell them while out there

You are allowed to use a VHF radio in an emergency without a call sign or operaters licence. Having a call sign does help identify you easier/better. In a non emergency situation you are not supposed to use VHF without an operators licence. This is a course that is offered to you at a discounted rate with the CBES if you join the coastguard or apply for a call sign, basically it teaches you the correct protocol for using a radio, ie ZMT is Zulu Mike Tango. and you never say over and out, over is said when you are waiting for a response, out or clear means the communication is finished. With the coastguard you can also log 24 hour trip reports with your departure and return which is useful also.

I Did the VHF operators license when I was a Coastguard Volunteer 11 years ago, its not that hard, once you learn the phonetic alphabet and the all the diff frequencies - SSB etc etc you are pretty much good to go.

i don't think you need to do a course they sent all the books out that you get at the course anyway, just common sense