Eddie Lucas Explains the Radio Calls We Hear on Below Deck
The bosun shared some inside information about the way crew members communicate.
If you’ve ever wondered why yachties always say someone’s name twice when they’re attempting to contact them via radio on Below Deck, you’re not alone. On the February 15 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, a Below Deck fan was eager to learn more, and cast member Eddie Lucas helped him out.
“What’s the deal with the ‘Eddie, Eddie, Nate,’ culture on the walkie talkies? I loved it. I’m an assistant principal at a high school, so I started doing it with all of our staff, but I’m curious where that started,” asked the viewer, whose name is Nate.
“So, if I was calling you, I’d say, ‘Nate, Nate, Eddie,’” the bosun explained. “And so, I say it twice to get your attention because I’m saying it over the radio, and then I’m letting you know who is calling you. It’s just the kind of proper radio etiquette. They do it on all of the shows, they do it on a lot of yachts. That’s a normal thing. It’s just a way to get attention twice, and that stems all the way back to proper VHF use.”
Eddie then explained that “VHF” is “Maritime radio,” and provided another example for anyone curious about communicating on yachts.
“If I’m calling from ship to ship, I’ll be like, ‘Ohana, Ohana, this is My Seanna, come back, over. And it’s just a way to get attention twice, then let them know,” said Eddie.
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