Before Posting, Please Read Our Posting Guidelines Below.
1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011 2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260 3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.
In my area in the Gulf, near shore, VHF communication is almost non-existent. Cell phones seem the only way to communicate out on the water. What do ya`ll use, and what brand gives the best service. My cell phone, T-Mobile won`t work at all, No towers in my area that reach off shore or even at shore.
Cell phones are a BAD idea on the water for "Main" communications, I ran into an emergency once where USCG assist was needed immediately, I did NOT have my VHF w/me, I used to remove it from the boat to protect from theft. My cell phone dropped the call 2 x to the USCG sta., then the battery died, my wife used her phone, the call dropped once but, enough info. got out to get a USCG boat to respond, they (USCG) went past us at first because of my low profile on the water, they circled and found us (and the poor kid barely hanging onto my boat in the water). I bought another VHF radio (older but, in good working order) and that is now perminently bolted to the boat, if it get's stolen "so what", I'm NOT gettin caught w/my pant's down again, cell phones are good "back up" on the water but, the USCG monitor's channel 16, A VERY frightening few minutes on the water, especially with someone hanging on my boat (injured, bleeding) and slipping into "Shock". There was blood all over my boat, and half a ripped life vest left on board when it was all over, I also threw a "Hand held VHF" in the "Ditch Bag", everything turned out o.k but my underwear. The phones were "Top shelf", and the service was "Verizon" (the largest, and most cell sites around here). I was about 2 miles from USCG sta. "JONES BEACH" and only in the bay.
mw
As I mainly use my boat in interior lake of north Texas, a cell phone works well for me.
In April 2007, I was out in a 2003 21 foot Baja with a woman from work......who happened to own the boat. She swore the boat was serviced properly and properly winterized for the winter of 2006/7, the boat only had 16 hours on the motor. We headed out into Lake Ray Hubbard one morning and about 5 minutes after we got on a plane, smoke started billowing from the engine compartment. (apparently whoever "winterized" her motor ripped her off and didn't do the job properly). I immediately shut her down, opened the engine compartment and then threw the anchor. We did not have a VHF with us so we used my cell phone and called 911. Within an hour, Dallas PD showed up in their boat and towed us back to the boat ramp. The exhaust manifolds cracked which in turn allowed the the engine to overheat.
All this to say that though the cell phones are a good back-up for off shore / coastal areas, they do serve well as a primary when using them on interior lakes that are less than about 150,000 acres in size.
Cliff
Edited by CES on 08/14/08 - 5:51 AM
Cliff
1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
I`m familiar with the Coast Guard station at Short Beach, from when I boated around there as a kid, but I`m 50 miles North of Tampa, and the nearest CG station, is many miles down the coast. I have tried to raise them by asking for a radio check, to no avail, The CG will not help you, unless you have a threat of sinking or lose of life, anyway. local boaters around here, don`t monitor 16 on VHF, and most will ignore you anyway. I have a new hand held VHF, but its basically useless. Some cell phones seem to work well in the near Gulf here. ( I have a 13 footer so I won`t be far offshore anyway) there is a local tow service, I`ll check if I can raise them with my VHF. If I can, it may be cheaper to join their plan, than to pay the cell phone cancellation penalty, and get a usable cell phone.
What type of VHF have you been using that has not worked? Have you been transmitting on high power setting? What has been your antenna setup?
I would agree with others, it depends on your location. Some areas have good VHF reception but poor cell reception and vice-versa. Being the safety nut I am, I have both a cell and vhf.
It would be a bit of challenge adding a mounted VHF and an 8' antenna on your pristine work of art. Then again, you could take a 3" whip, mount it on a 4' pole, have a temporary mount with a cable to attach to your handheld.
Side comment: I have read of vessels in distress up here using a second vessel to relay VHF communication to the USCG when direct contact is not possible.
In NE Florida cell phones goes out to about 9 miles depending on location.
VHF-FM is the way to go.
There is a system in place for many years called AMVER.
Automated Merchant Vessel Emergency Response. A Civilian cargo ship, tanker etc will come and assist boaters in distress. What do you do if your a hundred miles out. VHF-FM can contact a freighter unlike a cell phone. The USCG can put a MARB Marine awareness request broadcast asking any vessel in the area to assist.
This is only on VHF-FM.
2 years ago a boat was hit by lightning. He was close enough to use his phone. The only that worked because he was close enough to shore. Engine & electronics all were fried. Use a cell phone as backup. Better yet an Epirb is the best. They can be rented from West Marine stores.
2 weekends ago I am on the way back from Hemlock Cove on the 17 with the family. My neighbor calls stating he is broken down in the flats. I say I am going through now and will look for him. I can not find him. Getting dark, I use a spot light, flash it, circles, go back and forth to where he states he is.
Coast Guard gets involved. I drop off the kids and his brother and I and another guy from across the canal jump in my Mako 210 walk around. We meet up with the Coast Guard and search as they stand by. They used the cell phone with the brother exclusively. I hailed them on 16, no answer. They used the cell phone and that was it. We found them by 11:45 at night. In the islands by the State Channel, not the flats. And there is no way he didn't see the light. Booger eating moron is what he is, as well as his buddies he had onboard the 15 foot black old speedboat.
I currently use my cell on the water around the texas middle coast. The service is not optimal and often I can not make a call if I need to -- I had a recent case on another boat where the water pump failed and blew the engine. It took me forever to get a call through to a friend to render assistance. My new boat will have VHF for sure!
I guess the best thing to do is carry as much "comm's" equipment as you can (phone, fixed VHF, and H/H VHF), around here, Marine Police, and USCG will NOT tow you (unless life threatening), so "Marine salvage" is a good idea too, they monitor channel 16 as well. I "now" always turn on the VHF first to get the Wx, then I dial right into ch 16 and monitor it (it's actually required by law if you have a fixed VHF radio on board). I guess it depend's on where you boat, and the cell sites in the area. It's pretty busy around "L.I." in the summer, and in the RARE cases when USCG sta "Jones Beach" does not respond to a radio call on ch 16, USCG group "Atlantic City, NJ", "Long Island sound group", or "Fire Island" sta. will "chime in", and respond to you on ch 16.
mw
Binkie, I went to Tampa two years ago for a week of fishing and used Verizon which worked fine. I also have a VHf mounted and waterproof handheld , just in case. BG
Barry thanks for the info. I just picked up an Alltel prepaid phone and it works out on the water in my area, so I`ll use that on the boat until my contract with T-Mobile runs out in 1/10. I also have a handheld VHF and Seatow, but its nice to talk on a cellphone with family and friends.
Anyone know what happens if you have a contract, and cancel your cellphone? They want $200 to terminate the contract. Can`t see paying that. I have used their cell phone company for 4 years, but six months ago they upgraded my minutes for a two year contract.
The Coast Guard is in the process of installing a new radio system called" RESCUE 21". Basically what it will do, is tell them where you are and give them your lat. and long. If you have a newer VHF radio, it comes equiped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC), and if you register the radio (free if you contact BOATUS) the USCG will know who you are.
Rescue 21 is operational in most of FLA and the east Coast. Cell phones are not good for trying to get help. BUT there are draw backs to some Marine band VHF radios. There are basically 2 types, fixed mounted and hand held, The hand helds have a maximum output of 5 Watts, fixed mounted put out 25 Watts--- another problem are antenns. VHF radio signals transmit "line of sight" RESCUE 21 antenna are mounted on towers to increase the line of sight reception. If you are using a radio with an antenna 4-5 feet off the water it will not transmit as far as a radio with an 8 foot antenna that is 10-12 feet above the water. The coast Guard DOES NOT answer radio checks, you should not ask for a radio check on CH 16-- go to CH 72 and ask for the check. CH 16 is reserved for hailing and distress calls.
As for the Coast Guard coming to your assistance, if you need them in an emergency, they are on the way. Problem is, congress passed a law that says the USCG "cannot" give you a tow without first broadcasting a radio message that requests any "pay for tow" or "good sams " to come to your assistance first. In an emergency, they will tow, offer assistance and get you to "the nearest" marina.
Trust me-- if you are doing any off-shore boating....invest in 2 QUALITY things:
a "good life jacket" -- most people have a $4.99 Wal-mart life jacket for themselves and their kids- isn't your life worth more than $4.99 ? Also purchase a quuality radio and antenna.
You invested a lot of money in your boat--- invest a little more in your survival !!
I take my cell and a new hand held VHF from Standard Horizon. It is water proof and has a GPS in it. If I fall over board I still have the radio on me. I am on Long Island and usually stay within few miles of shore.
My new boat will have VHF for sure!
