Inshore/freshwater emergency electronic devices?

General Boats and Motors
1

I was chatting with a friend in the Coast Guard today. I asked him if there was a device similar to an EPIRB I could have on board my boat, and teach my young son how to use, in case of an emergency.

He suggested a personal locator beacon (PLB). Apparently, it’s not registered like an EPIRB but they do monitor for such signals and will come looking for you if you set yours off.

Is anyone here using one of these? What else might you suggest, other than a cell phone?

FWIW I fish only in waters that are fairly protected. I don’t venture out into main lakes except when the weather permits, and I am never more than a few minutes from cover. We just have a 14’ aluminum semi-v. But I do go to places that we might not see another boat for hours (up in creeks, etc).

Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.

2

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/ACR+ResQLink+PLB+406+GPS.html?gclid=COSt-cvRubYCFQvnnAodU1IAxw

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/ACR+2881+ResQLink+Plus+PLB+Flotation.html?gclid=CJSj-MfRubYCFQ8GnQodEzkAfg

I see these two with decent prices, but can’t see what the difference is. What would I need to know to buy one?

Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.

3

Also, are there any compact VHF radio options? I do not know much about radio technology.

Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.

4

Redfish_matt.

To begin with all 406 MHz beacons whether it is an EPIRB, ELT or PLB are required to be registered by the FCC and it is free.
The difference between the two ACR units you looked at is the 2881 floats by itself and the 2880 requires the flotation bag.

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/faq%202.html#about_beacon_registration

BEACON REGISTRATION

Why should I register my 406 MHz emergency beacon?
The Cospas-Sarsat System will still process transmissions from the beacon but rescue could be delayed. The System is designed to provide both identification and location information. Identification information can be provided two ways: (1) information such as the radio call sign or aircraft tail number can be encoded into the 406 MHz emergency beacon digital message and/or (2) the 406 MHz emergency beacon can be registered in a national registration database such as the one NOAA maintains.

As long as the System is able to obtain a position (either using Doppler processing or through GPS-equipped location protocol beacons) search and rescue personnel can respond to a distress signal. However, when a position is not available the search and rescue personnel have to rely on registration information. In these cases, if the beacon is not registered, rescue could be delayed until a position can be obtained. Even with a position, the response may be delayed until the search and rescue personnel try to determine the nature of the distress signal. NOAA recommends that you list two contacts, one of which, the search and rescue personnel would be able to reach at any time of the day.

While improved search and rescue response time is the primary reason to register your 406 MHz emergency beacon, it should be noted that the Federal Communications Commission requires that all 406 MHz emergency beacon owners register them in the NOAA registration database at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov.</font id=“red”>

Pursuitgang

2486 Triton (RealTime)
1720 KeyWest 90 Johnson

5

Thanks Pursuitgang. That was great info.

So in practicality, how does this work? Here is the scenario that could happen. I have a 4 year old son I take fishing. Let’s say we are out fishing and I become unconscious (stroke, heart attack, slip and bust my head in the boat). My son would be trained on how to use this, and WHEN to use it— he would activate it. (also, blowing the whistle, waving/calling for help).

The signal would be detected by the USCG. At that point, I assume they know who owns it. But will they (with a PLB) know that I’m in a boat and inherently know that this will be an aquatic rescue?

Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.

6

Would this more affordable item be a good choice?

http://www.backcountry.com/spot-satellite-gps-messenger?CMP_SKU=SOT0003&MER=0406&CMP_ID=GAN_GPLA&003=8219600&010=SOT0003-OR-ONESIZ&mr:trackingCode=01F000B6-3F8F-DF11-9DA0-002219319097&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=25483641825&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=20762933025&origin=pla&gclid=CJeax4C2vLYCFQTqnAodnkMAyQ

Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.

7

I have a handheld radio, but hadn’t thought about something my son could activate like a beacon. That is a great idea, Matt.

The fear of me slipping and hitting my head (being a tall, goofy person increases my risk) is why I’m always wearing my PFD.

Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole

8

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130409/PC16/130409264/1165/rescue-crews-find-body-after-search-for-man-who-reportedly-fell-out-of-boat-near-johns-island

Rescue crews find body after search for man who reportedly fell out of boat near Johns Island

Andrew Knapp/StaffRescue crews searched today for a man who fell into a pond off Mary Ann Point Road on Johns Island. Buy this photo
Rescue crews have found a body in a pond on Johns Island after a search that began when a man reportedly fell out of a boat while fishing.

St. Johns firefighters, Charleston County sheriffs deputies and paramedics searched for the missing man near Mary Ann Point Road, which is off Main Road near Chisolm Road.

He was identified as 65-year-old Lovell Linton, according to Deputy Coroner Kimberly Rhoton.

Crews were dispatched to the area about 11:45 a.m., Sheriffs Maj. Jim Brady said.

A man was fishing in a boat when her fell out, Brady said. The mans wife, who also was fishing, tried to throw him a rope, but she could not find him, Brady said.

Brady said the man, lived by the pond, was fishing with two lines when something got snagged or he lost something overboard. He bent over to free the snag or fetch the item, and he fell in.

About two hours after the initial 911 call, divers still had not found the man.

About an hour later, Brady confirmed that a body had been recovered.

The pond is about 200 yards wide and is murky.

Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole

9

I will be ordering something at some point soon. We currently fish around places that are quite public (like the Tailrace or Bushy Park) but it doesn’t take much to get back in a creek where no soul can see you for hours.

Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.