Tims Times

We have had a few days at anchor, so we have had a good opportunity to do some repairs, painting and other useful activities like fishing….

We also got to do a rescue boat drill. But we needed to call the VTS before launching the MOB boat to get permission, so the second mate called up Southampton VTS on the VHF, they said we also had to call QHM on channel 11. At this stage I picked up the mike and informed them that it would only be in the vicinity of the ship and only for about 15 minutes. Still the operator at VTS was adamant, you must call QHM and give them an ETS and ETC.

I looked at the 2/o and said “what the f..k is QHM?”, he nearly fell on the deck laughing, so I switched to Channel 11 and called “QHM, QHM…”and told them our intention to launch the rescue boat, a friendly female voice replied “QHM has approved”

We didn’t have to reveal our apparent lack of knowledge to the VHF listening operators because a quick check on Google revealed our mystery….thankfully we have an enlightened shipowner, who has seen fit to install satellite internet on all of his ships.

QHM: Queens Harbour Master in Portsmouth. and here are the other TLA’s (three letter abbreviations)

VTS: Vessel Traffic Services

VHF: Very High Frequency

MOB: Man OverBoard (not something you really want to experience, but you have to practice for that eventuality)

ETS & ETC: Estimated Time of Start/Completion

Of course there are millions more abbreviations and phrases and not just in the shipping world, use of jargon defines the users knowledge, the more you know, the better it sounds to those within your branch or profession. The converse is also true, the less you know, the greener you sound. So better to not say anything and let other people think you are stupid, than to open your mouth and prove it!