Bob, I should have pointed out that I took an off shore route from Mobile Bay to Panama City. With that said, I still didn't hear any tugs/tows anywhere near Mobile, although I saw many. In fact, one tug was very helpful using his searchlight to illuminate the day markers ahead of me through the channel just north of Dalphine (sp?) island without saying a word until I thanked him at the bridge. Maybe, it was just too late for much conversation. Gil ---- Bob Austin <thataway4@cox.net> wrote: > Gil states that Mobile to Tarpon springs he didn't hear a thing on the radio except the scheduled broadcasts. > > This is a bit unusual, since most of the tugs and tows in the Panama City to Mobile area announce their position and intent regularly on channel 16 and sometimes on channel 13. I hear this a number of times each day. > > So keep listening. > > Bob Austin

Ah ha--Channel 13 is a low power (1 watt) Marine VHF channel and it is entirely possiable that you did not hear the messages, since the run offshore is not right on the beach. On the other hand, since Mobile bay is relitatively wide open and straight foreward, there is probably not as much radio traffic as in the congested and narrow areas. Although the recreational boater benefits from the broad casts, the commerical traffic is the real beneficiary. The tug skippers don't want to meet another tug and tow in a narrow or sharp bend area.. I do recommend that the voyager have two radios--one on tug traffic working and one on 16. The little go fast 18 footer I picked up at the salvage to run down and see folks on the ICW only has a hand held and it picks up these communication well. The bigger boat has two full size radios. Bob Austin