Thanks, Andy. I've said more than enough on most aspects of this!
However, just a comment on VHF radio. I'm no expert (quite the reverse), but having just done the RYA VHF radio course I suppose i'm sort of up to date. It seems to me there are three aspects to this -
1) The equipment. For obvious reasons I'm keen on radios which float! It is actually striking how relatively primitive maritime radios seem to be, compared (for example) with mobile phone technology. There's not a lot which can be done about that, and I expect some catching up will happen with time.
2) Procedures. In response to Steve's query, and as we were taught on the course, a 'correct' interaction would be something like -
'Mallory, Mallory, Mallory, this is Cavatina,Cavatina - over'.
'Cavatina, Cavatina this is Mallory - over'
If on Ch 16, a suggested switch to another channel would be agreed, and the conversation would continue there, with boat names reduced at this stage to singles: each contribution ended with 'over', until the end one which would finish with 'out'. NO 'over and out' and NO 'roger' or 'wilco' (sorry, Biggles). Special procedures for mayday-s and panpan-s.
3) Gabbling and mumbling. I think we all tend to speak too fast, and conscious slowing down can only help. Mumbling is a modern pandemic. There are some TV series I can't cope with because of it (remember "Jamaica Inn" recently?), and there's nothing wrong with my hearing. Anthony Hopkins, who now lives in Hollywood, has master classes for young American would-be film actors specifically to counteract their modern tendency to mumble.
Andy's point about protection from wind noise when using the radio is a very good one, which I, for one, will take on board.