Marine Training and Consulting - MTC

Alright...

Let me ask you something

And I don’t want your “ja ja I’ve got it sorted” answer.

I want the real answer.

You’ve got a VHF radio on your boat.

Nice one too.

Mounted lekker on the dash.

Or maybe it’s handheld… sitting in that hatch with the flares, a half-dead torch, and a packet of mystery zip ties from 2014.

Or

My personal favourite

Still in the box.

Because you’ve been “meaning to set it up properly.”

Now here’s the question…

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁?

Not:
“Ja I switch it on and it makes noise.”

Not:
“I know which button changes the channel.”

I mean…

• Motor dies
• Swell starts standing up
• You’re drifting like a Checkers sakkie in the wind
• Phone says “𝗡𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲” like it’s judging your life choices

Could you pick that radio up… and 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆?

Be honest.

Because most okes?

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁.

Boet…

That’s not a small problem.

That’s a proper problem.

𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀.
It’s not there to:

• Look cool next to your Garmin
• Match your switches
• Impress your tjommie who also doesn’t know how to use his

That radio?

That’s the one thing between:

“We’re fine bru”
and
“This story ends badly”

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲” 𝗷𝗮 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆, 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗸
Let’s talk about your phone quickly.

Your plan A.

The same phone that:

• Has been on 28% since breakfast
• Needs signal… which disappears faster than your motivation on a Monday morning for gym
• Can call exactly one person at a time
• Falls in the water and instantly becomes a R30k paperweight

Now compare that to your VHF:

• Works with zero signal
• Talks to everyone in range
• Gets heard by people who can actually help you
• Still works when wet (unlike your iPhone having a panic attack)

Your phone calls one oke.

Your VHF calls the entire ocean.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝟭𝟲... 𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻
If you forget everything else I say today…

Remember this:

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝟭𝟲

That’s it.

That’s the number.

That’s the one.

It’s being monitored by:

• NSRI
• SAMSA
• Commercial vessels
• Basically anyone who knows what they’re doing

𝟮𝟰/𝟳.

While you’re reading this.

Right now.

Someone is listening.

And what do okes do?

• Sit on Channel 6
• Sit on Channel 72
• Sit on some random “we always use this one bru” channel

Meanwhile Channel 16 is sitting there like:

“Hello? I literally exist for emergencies…”

Your radio should live on Channel 16.

Not visit it.

Live there.

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹…

The 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹.

This is where the vibes end and the serious stuff starts.

Because when things go wrong at sea…

They don’t go wrong slowly.

They go wrong like:

• “That doesn’t sound right…”
• “Why is there water there?”
• “Okay this is now a problem.”

And in that moment…

Your brain is not your friend.

Your hands are shaking.

Your voice is doing that weird crack thing.

And suddenly you forget your own boat name....

That’s why there’s a format.

Not because someone loves rules.

Because 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 (𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁, 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲)

• Channel 16
• Press the button FIRST
• Wait one second
• Then speak

“𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗗𝗔𝗬”

“This is [Boat Name] [Boat Name] [Boat Name]”

“MAYDAY this is [Boat Name]”

“Our position is [GPS coordinates]”

“We are [what’s wrong: sinking / drifting / on fire / engine failure]”

“There are [number] persons on board”

“We are a [description of boat]”

“𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥”

Then you 𝘀𝗵𝘂𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻.

If nobody answers?

• Do it again
• And again
• And again

Because someone will hear you.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗽…

The button.

That little Push-To-Talk button.

You know what 80% of people do?

• Start talking
• THEN press the button

So the call sounds like:

“…DAY MAYDAY THIS IS”

Cool.

So now the most important part is gone.

Into the ocean.

Gone.

Finished.

• Press first
• THEN speak
• Hold while talking
• Release to listen

It’s not complicated.

But under pressure?

You will mess it up if you haven’t thought about it before.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻... 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺

“We’re like… kinda near that reef… you know the one…”

Boet.

That’s not a position.

Best option:

• GPS coordinates (learn where to find them TODAY)

Second best:

• Distance + direction from a known point

Worst option:

• “Somewhere out there”

The ocean is moer groot...

Don’t make the okes looking for you guess.

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼 𝗿𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆

There are levels to this:

• 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘: “Heads up, something’s there”
• 𝗣𝗔𝗡-𝗣𝗔𝗡: “We’ve got a problem”
• 𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗗𝗔𝗬: “Hier is GROOT kak”

Don’t scream MAYDAY because your cooler blew open and you lost your beers.

(Although emotionally… I understand.)

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 (𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀)

Right now…

Your VHF is probably:

• On the wrong channel
• On low volume
• Or not even switched on

And you’re telling yourself:

“Ag I’ll figure it out when I need it.”

No you won’t.

Because when you need it…

It’s already chaos.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 (𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀)

• Go to your boat
• Switch the radio on
• Put it on Channel 16
• Find your GPS coordinates
• Read that Mayday again

Better yet?

• Write it down
• Laminate it
• Stick it next to the radio

Because the oke making that call one day…

Might not be you.

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁…
• Did you actually know the full Mayday before this?
• Have you EVER used your VHF properly?
• And how many of you are about to go check if it even still works?

Training schedule for May and June 2026. Please also see funding opportunity. Bookings are essential.

Congratulations to Sara Jane Smith on qualifying as an SRC radio facilitator. She will be heading up the radio training in St Francis Bay.

All bookings to be done through Siyaloba Training Academy

Alright boys… gather ‘round...

Today we’re chatting about one of the funniest, most consistent, most universal boating experiences of all time:

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁…
𝘀𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.

Let me tell you a beautiful little story that happened last week.

One of my buddies who owns a dealership sells a brand-new boat to an oke on Friday.
They go through EVERYTHING with him. Step-by-step. Like a children’s colouring book version.
“Here’s the key."
"Here’s the battery switch."
"This is the kill switch."
"Please don’t be a chop.”

Lekker. Off he goes to the Vaal. Sun is shining. Wife is smiling. Kids are screaming. Life is good.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.

And this oke is LOSING his mind.
I mean full meltdown.
Swearing. Ranting. Threatening to return the boat and demanding a refund like he’s returning a broken toaster from Takealot.

“YOU SOLD ME A BROKEN BOAT!!! IT DOESN’T EVEN START!!!”

Dealer tries to calm him down, asks him a few simple questions…
and eventually says:

“Boet… just check the kill switch quickly.”

Silence.

Click.

PRRRRRRRRRT!
The motor fires up instantly like it’s been waiting to embarrass him.

Did the man apologise?
Of course not.
He just said, “Okay it’s working now,” and hung up like nothing happened.

And I wish I could tell you this was the only time…
but nope.
This happens EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK.

So today, for your own safety and your ego’s protection, here is the official 2025 Salty Guy “Why Your Boat Probably Isn’t Starting” Checklist.

Write it down. Screenshot it. Tattoo it on your forearm if you must.

𝟭) 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁 = 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀, 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲
If you didn’t disconnect your battery and your boat has been standing for six months…

My brother…
that thing is not "a little flat."
It is DEAD dead.

You’re not reviving it with “positive thoughts.”
You need a charger.

𝟮) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 (𝗮.𝗸.𝗮. 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿-𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿)
If your kill switch isn’t clipped in…

𝗬𝗲𝘀.
𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁.

And if your kill switch is in the OFF position…
also no starting.
No matter how hard you turn that key, swear at the sky, or stare at your wife like it’s her fault.

𝟯) 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹
No neutral = no start.
Simple as that.
You can yank that throttle like you’re trying to break a slot machine at Montecasino... it’s not happening, boet.

Neutral. Always.
I promise you the engineers didn’t put this safety feature there to make your life difficult.

𝗡𝗢𝗪…
For the 2-Stroke Soldiers Out There

If you passed the first three and you STILL can’t start your motor, here’s where the real fun begins:

𝟰) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗯... 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘁
That little black ball at the back?
Yes, the one you ignore until it’s too late?

𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝘇𝗲. 𝗜𝘁. 𝗨𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀. 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱.

This is what actually gets the fuel to the motor.
No squeeze = no juice.
No juice = you're paddling home.

𝟱) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗸𝗲, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀
Some boats STILL have a manual choke.

If you don’t use it correctly?
Congratulations, you’re about to:

• look like a clown at the dock
• flood your motor
• curse the guy who sold you the boat
• curse the dealer
• curse your kids
• and then Google “why is my boat broken” while everyone watches

If you buy a second-hand 2-stroke, ALWAYS ask:

“𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?”

Some of these older boats have rituals, boet.
One choke.
Two choke.
Half choke.
Long choke.
Short choke.
Dance around the boat three times…

You need to know the sequence.

𝗦𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂…
• Call the dealer and scream
• Blame your wife
• Blame the oke who launched your boat
• Blame the friend who sold it to you
• Blame the dog
• Blame the universe

Ask yourself:
𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗜 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀?

Because nothing... NOTHING, is more embarrassing than arriving at a dealer on Monday demanding a refund…

Just for them to turn the key and it starts FIRST SHOT in front of you.

Don’t be that oke...

Let's be safe this summer on our waterways...