Mike-
thanks for the note about safety at Neah Bay. I would be very
interested in
seeing the Powerboat Reports that you mentioned. Your point about direct
comunication is right on. Spending most of my time south of the Narrows
bridge
makes me forget sometime that the vhf is on board.
T Wolf
Michael Santangelo wrote:
> This note is directed towards Patrick and Tom's response to him about
safety
> precautions when venturing out. I agree with Tom's safety precautions
> except the portion about the cell phone. Please don't just take a
cell
> phone and think you are connected. You are not! Other boaters in the
area
> should be monitoring VHF 16. If you need immediate assistance, they
maybe
> your fastest and cheapest source of aid. Also, the CG doesn't monitor
911.
> Any emergency calls to the CG need to be relayed between the answering
> agency (police) and the CG. CG rescue aircraft maintain
communications with
> their station and coordinating rescue vessels via VHF and HF radio.
If it
> is dark, and you are adrift or in the water, you don't want to tell a
third
> party that the CG helicopter just flew over you. You would much
rather tell
> the pilot that personally.
>
> If anyone wants more information in this arena, I'd be happy to send a
copy
> of an informative editorial from Powerboat Reports addressing the
topic of
> the CG, cell phones and VHF.
>
> In conclusion, I let experience be my guide. As a former CG Avionics
Tech
> with four years of SAR aircrew experience, I don't venture out on my
own
> boat without the following communications equipment: a fully charged
cell
> phone and 12 vdc adapter, a fully charged waterproof handheld 5 watt
VHF
> with an extra set of batteries, and making sure the boat's built in 25
watt
> VHF is functional. When going out with others, I have the cell phone
and
> VHF handheld (with extra batteries) in my tackle bag.
>
> If you like fishing the salt from a boat, spend a $150 and get
yourself a
> handheld VHF. You can always use it to listen to the WX station.
>
> Regards
>
> Mike
>
