emergency communication

Also forgot to mention, a backup radio is a great idea.  Batteries die, water gets into things, etc. I typically keep one radio tethered to my PFD, and one in dry storage in a hatch.

Good stuff, Kevin. Thanks for explaining in detail.

Thanks Mel!  I'm always happy to answer questions too - I've done a TON of research and have some direct experience with most of this stuff. 

Also forgot to mention, a backup radio is a great idea.  Batteries die, water gets into things, etc. I typically keep one radio tethered to my PFD, and one in dry storage in a hatch.

Going to start bringing the backup radio. Great suggestion.

Also staying relatively close to shore in waters where there are other boaters helps me feel better about things.

Kevin, thank you for your in-depth discussion and information.
Also, T-Mobile is offering free Satellite 911 Text service.

T‑Mobile Makes Text to 911 Available Off-Grid to Any Wireless User with a Compatible Smartphone – even Verizon and AT&T Customers.

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-text-to-911-available-for-everyone

Paul

Thanks for the info!

So, more info on satellite devices.  Fun fact – they all use different satellites, and NONE of them use the same satellites as the GPS system. They fall into two categories:
 
•   GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) devices, like EPRIBs (emergency position indicating radio beacons), PLBs (personal locator beacons), and ELTs (emergency location transponders, and
•   Commercially monitored services, like Garmin InReach and SPOT.

GMDSS devices are one-way communication devices, and the US system is funded, maintained, and monitored by NOAA and USCG.  These devices are designed largely for open-ocean transit – ships and sail boats that travel across the ocean.  There are a couple different generations/types of devices, but they mostly work in the same manner – the user pushes a button, and it sends a signal to a satellite.  The satellite then relays that signal to a shore station, which sends it to the correct RCC (Rescue Coordination Center).  That facility then processes the alert, and dispatches appropriate units to respond.  The FIRST thing they do is call the registered owner and the emergency contacts.  REGISTER your device if you use a GMDSS device. 

There are two types of satellites that EPRIBs/PLBs communicate with: newer geostationary orbit satellites, and older medium earth orbit satellites.  Medium earth orbit satellites do not stay in the same place over earth – they are in a pretty fast orbit.
For EPRIBs, older generations do not transmit the position of the beacon.  The satellite determines the position using direction finding equipment and triangulation.  It takes up to 3 passes of a satellite to accurately determine the position of the beacon, which can take up to 90 minutes in most places on the globe.  PLBs typically use this older technology also, since they are designed to be small and carried on your person. 
Newer generation EPIRBs can transmit a GPS position along with the beacon information to the satellite – look for E-solution capable beacons.  Otherwise, they work in very similar fashion to the older generation beacons.
 
Commercial products like Garmin InReach and SPOT devices are a little different, because they are monitored by a commercial provider, and typically they can allow two-way communication.  That is, rather than just alerting that there is a problem, the user can send direct message to either the facility, a specific contact like a loved one, or sometimes update directly to a website.  If I was sailing down the Mexican coast, or really any long range transit, this is 100% what I would carry.  If the Distress button is pushed on these, the alert first goes to the commercial provider, not to the USCG or an RCC – but those providers do forward these alerts to rescue organizations once they are received and evaluated.

Super useful info, thanks. Wish we had a bookmark feature here heh.

So, more info on satellite devices.  Fun fact – they all use different satellites, and NONE of them use the same satellites as the GPS system. They fall into two categories:
 
•   GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) devices, like EPRIBs (emergency position indicating radio beacons), PLBs (personal locator beacons), and ELTs (emergency location transponders, and
•   Commercially monitored services, like Garmin InReach and SPOT.

GMDSS devices are one-way communication devices, and the US system is funded, maintained, and monitored by NOAA and USCG.  These devices are designed largely for open-ocean transit – ships and sail boats that travel across the ocean.  There are a couple different generations/types of devices, but they mostly work in the same manner – the user pushes a button, and it sends a signal to a satellite.  The satellite then relays that signal to a shore station, which sends it to the correct RCC (Rescue Coordination Center).  That facility then processes the alert, and dispatches appropriate units to respond.  The FIRST thing they do is call the registered owner and the emergency contacts.  REGISTER your device if you use a GMDSS device. 

There are two types of satellites that EPRIBs/PLBs communicate with: newer geostationary orbit satellites, and older medium earth orbit satellites.  Medium earth orbit satellites do not stay in the same place over earth – they are in a pretty fast orbit.
For EPRIBs, older generations do not transmit the position of the beacon.  The satellite determines the position using direction finding equipment and triangulation.  It takes up to 3 passes of a satellite to accurately determine the position of the beacon, which can take up to 90 minutes in most places on the globe.  PLBs typically use this older technology also, since they are designed to be small and carried on your person. 
Newer generation EPIRBs can transmit a GPS position along with the beacon information to the satellite – look for E-solution capable beacons.  Otherwise, they work in very similar fashion to the older generation beacons.
 
Commercial products like Garmin InReach and SPOT devices are a little different, because they are monitored by a commercial provider, and typically they can allow two-way communication.  That is, rather than just alerting that there is a problem, the user can send direct message to either the facility, a specific contact like a loved one, or sometimes update directly to a website.  If I was sailing down the Mexican coast, or really any long range transit, this is 100% what I would carry.  If the Distress button is pushed on these, the alert first goes to the commercial provider, not to the USCG or an RCC – but those providers do forward these alerts to rescue organizations once they are received and evaluated.

Super useful info, thanks. Wish we had a bookmark feature here heh.

Scroll to the bottom and hit the ADD BOOKMARK button?  lol

-Allen

So, more info on satellite devices.  Fun fact – they all use different satellites, and NONE of them use the same satellites as the GPS system. They fall into two categories:
 
•   GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) devices, like EPRIBs (emergency position indicating radio beacons), PLBs (personal locator beacons), and ELTs (emergency location transponders, and
•   Commercially monitored services, like Garmin InReach and SPOT.

GMDSS devices are one-way communication devices, and the US system is funded, maintained, and monitored by NOAA and USCG.  These devices are designed largely for open-ocean transit – ships and sail boats that travel across the ocean.  There are a couple different generations/types of devices, but they mostly work in the same manner – the user pushes a button, and it sends a signal to a satellite.  The satellite then relays that signal to a shore station, which sends it to the correct RCC (Rescue Coordination Center).  That facility then processes the alert, and dispatches appropriate units to respond.  The FIRST thing they do is call the registered owner and the emergency contacts.  REGISTER your device if you use a GMDSS device. 

There are two types of satellites that EPRIBs/PLBs communicate with: newer geostationary orbit satellites, and older medium earth orbit satellites.  Medium earth orbit satellites do not stay in the same place over earth – they are in a pretty fast orbit.
For EPRIBs, older generations do not transmit the position of the beacon.  The satellite determines the position using direction finding equipment and triangulation.  It takes up to 3 passes of a satellite to accurately determine the position of the beacon, which can take up to 90 minutes in most places on the globe.  PLBs typically use this older technology also, since they are designed to be small and carried on your person. 
Newer generation EPIRBs can transmit a GPS position along with the beacon information to the satellite – look for E-solution capable beacons.  Otherwise, they work in very similar fashion to the older generation beacons.
 
Commercial products like Garmin InReach and SPOT devices are a little different, because they are monitored by a commercial provider, and typically they can allow two-way communication.  That is, rather than just alerting that there is a problem, the user can send direct message to either the facility, a specific contact like a loved one, or sometimes update directly to a website.  If I was sailing down the Mexican coast, or really any long range transit, this is 100% what I would carry.  If the Distress button is pushed on these, the alert first goes to the commercial provider, not to the USCG or an RCC – but those providers do forward these alerts to rescue organizations once they are received and evaluated.

Super useful info, thanks. Wish we had a bookmark feature here heh.

Scroll to the bottom and hit the ADD BOOKMARK button?  lol

-Allen

lmao thank you i'm a giant DORK

(in my defense, I run a very long-standing messageboard with different software so my brain is pre-programmed to look for bookmark icon in a different place, that is made to bookmark individual posts and not whole threads lol)