This discussion, which has been carried on here and on three Facebook groups, has been very interesting. I’ve learned some things and my radio procedure will be even better than if I hadn’t posted it. What I primarily learned, however, is how much ignorance there is combined an inability to read and then think things through. I’ve been gratified to note that the most positive responses have generally been from current or former professional mariners and experienced ICW travelers.
So, if you see this boat ahead of you (Please note that the nameboard was moved to the flybridge railing right after the picture was taken when the dinghy was first loaded), here is what the sign, that will go just below the nameboard, where both can be clearly seen, means:
1) I am NOT advocating a general change of the hailing channel from 16 to 13 nor am I trying to promote changing established rules. Those comments had me slapping myself on the forehead.
2) If there is plenty of room, you see me look back at you from the flybridge, and you can slide slowly by just above my speed without creating hazardous wake, feel free to just go on by. You are the overtaking vessel so the onus is on you. My duty is to maintain a constant course so that you can avoid me.
3) If you see me back off my speed, same situation as number 2). Even if I’m inside, you know that I’ve seen you.
4) If you don’t see me on the flybridge, I don’t back off, you want to be sure I know you are there, and/or want to dot every “t” and cross every “i” in the rules, feel free to use your horn appropriately and stay off the radio.
5) If I haven’t backed off my speed, you don’t think you can pass without creating annoying wake, are in such an all fired hurry that you want to be alongside me for the minimum time, or have any other reason for needing to talk to me about the passing arrangements, please hail me directly on 13. We are already clearly in a navigational situation, the reason for the call is pretty obvious, Channel 13 is the appropriate channel to hail on. My sign just lets you know that I’m following the established rule and precedent on Cape Cod and C & D canals, and in busy harbors. This avoids delay and pointless traffic on 16 which will often be on high power.
6) If you want to hail me in order to discuss where I’m headed, how nice my boat is, why my dinghy is stored like that, etc., then you should hail me on 16 low power. Calls to switch to another channel for non-navigational exchanges do not belong on 13 and 16 is appropriate.
7) If you hail me on 16 for passing discussion, I will answer although there may be a bit of confusion if you fail to say which channel you are hailing on. That is poor radio procedure and it’s on you. You should say, “Gypsy Star, Gypsy Star, this is _____________ behind you on 16”. If you start asking me what kind of boat we are, etc., I’ll ask you to got to 68 or other working channel. If you start to talk about passing, I’ll ask you to go to 13 and we’ll talk there.
I’m under no illusion that any of this will eliminate all the radio idiocy out there but I think the sign and this discussion, even before the sign has been put on the boat, have helped a tiny bit. The discussion has certainly helped clarify some things for me.
(I don't know why the forum software refuses to display the photo right side up.)