WTB: Something with a distress signal

That would be tough to enforce. If he wasn't alone and he had radar all the visual stuff. I wonder how the American with disabilities act would work out. It would be a very interesting case. I can see both sides. But if the captain wasn't a charter just a recreational boater I do not see how that would fly in court if I was on a jury. This is the 21 century and there are too many aids if the captain had them.

Just because you don't know your distress call was heard doesn't meant it doesn't work. If you are heard and the coast guard shows up, then it worked. I am not deaf, if the coast guard or another ship does not get my distress call I am SOL. If I didn't get an acknowledgement  I would keep sending. If I was deaf I would keep sending until someone shows up to rescue me. You would never know the personal locator beacon worked until someone showed up to rescue you, unless it has two way communication. On the other hand, the cheapest solution might be fishing with a buddy.

You say in the first line "just because you don't know...doesn't mean it doesn't work" then you say "you would never know the PLB worked unless ... two way communication"  What side of the arguement are you on?

The new Generation of PLB's have small displays to ley you know its working.  The likely hood of them not working, the one time you may need it, is slim to none ... possible, but SLIM.  A H.H. vhf with GPS is a good choice since it will broadcast w/o the need to be heard or hear back; AIS.  The PLB transmits on a 406 frequency that is picked up by most things moving.  Most of us are within eyesight of a shoreline so a visual distress signal, ie. flare, is a cheap way to know it is working.  I most always carry at least 1 flare but also rely on my VHF & cell phone.  The new SPOT units are far more reliable than the older ones.  Some of the poor reviews, earlier on, came from users NOT in the marine enviroment but rather deep wilderness where sat. vis. is poor (thick brush, deep canyons like Utah, etc...).  The buddy system is always a good idea!

I would recommend buddy system and airhorn to get partners attention?

Those things are cheap and loud!

Then (as backup or if partner needs assistance and can't talk) regular VHF to send mayday and info to coastguard on 16/9 and let them know that you are deaf and can't hear their response?

If you ever want a partner down in Monterey area let me know and I would be happy to show you around a little and make sure we stayed together.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I would recommend buddy system and airhorn to get partners attention?

Those things are cheap and loud!

+1 on Buddy system, and cheap and loud.  But I prefer a whistle attached to my PFD, like this one:

I would recommend buddy system and airhorn to get partners attention?

Those things are cheap and loud!

+1 on Buddy system, and cheap and loud.  But I prefer a whistle attached to my PFD, like this one:

Good call on the whistle Al!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...airhorns are cool though! 

I would recommend buddy system and airhorn to get partners attention?

Those things are cheap and loud!

I have a whistle attached to my PFD. cheap, compact, and loud.

Air horn and a rape whistle!

Flare gun?

Pealess whistles are best. I use a fox 40.

Just because you don't know your distress call was heard doesn't meant it doesn't work. If you are heard and the coast guard shows up, then it worked. I am not deaf, if the coast guard or another ship does not get my distress call I am SOL. If I didn't get an acknowledgement  I would keep sending. If I was deaf I would keep sending until someone shows up to rescue me. You would never know the personal locator beacon worked until someone showed up to rescue you, unless it has two way communication. On the other hand, the cheapest solution might be fishing with a buddy.

You say in the first line "just because you don't know...doesn't mean it doesn't work" then you say "you would never know the PLB worked unless ... two way communication"  What side of the arguement are you on?

I don't see a contradiction. I was responding to this...

Forget VHF. Sending out DSC distress calls on VHF will not work, as you would not be able to hear the Coast Guard's acknowledgement or reply. Did they even receive your transmission?

Your best bet would be a personal locator beacon (PLB), since it is waterproof and can be manually activated or automatically activated in case of submersion. But it is pricey.

Just because you don't hear the coast guard respond doesn't mean the VHF radio didn't work. If they hear you and they come rescue you then it worked. A PLB was suggested as a better alternative to the radio he can't hear the rescuer talking on. I said that you can't hear the rescuer respond on the PLB either. You don't know it worked until they show up to rescue you. Therefore not being able to have a two way conversation and confirm your call for help was heard is a shortcoming of both products.  The OP wants an inexpensive solution so I was on the side of a VHF radio with some buddies.

I appreciate all this conversation, I have not quite decided what I'm going to do. I have picked up a flare, horn, whistle to start with. I'll spend some time thinking about how to tackle this issue and this thread gave me valuable arguments (on all sides) to make a decision. Thanks!

I don't go on the ocean with out my spot. Even on a cattle boat. I have the older spot and get a confirmation every time I send a check in to wife. My spot is also linked to a sat map that shows the topo and gps of where I'm at. WE were catching humbolt squid out is San Simeon. And I pushed the button to see exactly where the trench was and went to. 

What about the SPOT Connect?  It pairs with your smart phone to turn your phone into a satellite communicator:
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116
I do remember reading somewhere there can be disadvantages to using the Connect paired to your smartphone as compared to using a SPOT device.  I have a SPOT first generation device and am going to look into upgrading to a 3rd gen device or a Connect device. 

I have the delorme inreach and it works great, can send and recieve texts, and has a distress/911 feature which allows you to communicate with responders. Its becoming more popular because of the communication factor. I first got it for mototcycles, but its great for kayaking too. I can let my so know im ok if im kayak/camping beyond cell range, basically a satellite communicator. I ride and kayak solo alot so this is essential imo, especially if you have a family or so that tends to worry.

easy fix == buddy system is the ONLY WAY to go. + VHF radio.

easier said then done.been looking for a buddy for the last two years

Even with the hookups posts here and all the NCKA get togethers?

yep apparently everyone has a system of friends that they buddy up with