"The boat reportedly had no name and no radio."

quote:
Originally posted by rnbenton

quote:
Originally posted by November Charlie

You know what else gets overlooked a lot, mainly because people aren't use to it yet? Cell phone positioning.
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The thing about cell phones is that they don't work well off shore and they surely don't work when they get wet or go under water.When I worked for Sea Tow we had a few instances of trying to locate using cell signal and it just didn't work well.

with the amount of money the average off shore boat costs refusing to spend an extra $220 for a PLB is just plain dumb.

Bob

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Certainly correct - without solid service, they're useless. The positioning available to PSAP's has gotten quite a bit better in the last few years, though. But it depends on a good signal.
 
Well if you own a boat and don't have either a lifeproof case on your phone or at least a dry bag, you re really stoopid. :)

A couple of years ago, a world renowned offshore sailor fell off her boat while single handling off close to shore in th med. she had a waterproof case on her phone that was n her pocket. Called for help and was rescued. Only go die two years later in a chopper crash in South America ...

Anyway, yes Epirns are a must but a cheap phone case may save the day when Near shore.

In this case though, I don't think anything could have help besides a small dose of common sense
 
I work for West Marine and I constantly urge my customers to get a PLB. Given the low price nowadays, to me it's a no brainier.

Roy
 
this is not a plug for Boat US but they have an app that will display your lat and lon on you cell then when your electronics go out you can call the Coast Guard with good info. So one of the best safety items on your boat is a dry box with your cell phone in it.
 
When the first ELTs came out in aviation they were simple 121.5 beacons that required searchers to have DF equipment to locate. Accidental activation was rampant and a lot of time wasted. These new 406 beacons however are a whole different kettle of fish. They transmit the owner data so who is transmitting is known and contacts initiated immediately. If you have the GPS type like I do, your position will be known on the first SAT pass (within 30 minutes but actually almost immediately) otherwise it may take up to 90 minutes to fix position. It seems to me, that once you are beyond a certain distance from shore, you should be required to have a GPS connected EPIRB or PLB, just as flares are required. Roy is correct, they are TOO CHEAP not to be equipped and it is time we eliminate extensive and expensive SAR missions which are fraught with their own dangers for SAR personnel.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

The mast was located 100 miles off shore. In a 26 footer. loaded with kids. Yeah. Real brains.

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They were sailing from Sarasota to Ft. Myers I believe. So I doubt they were ever even close to 100 miles offshore.

The debris may have ended up there over time.
 
Yeah they were pretty close to shore until the proverbial brown stuff hit the fan... Then the winds just pushed everything further out
 
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