Bill,

Thanks for sharing the story. I've had occasions where my crew have let go of the boat and left me drifting away and forced to right it solo. Must be a helpless feeling to watch the boat drift away with no one aboard.

[color:"green"]> I will never sail a distance race without that whistle (& a marine radio).[/color]

I've often wondered how far a 5-watt VHF can reach from a height of six inches above the water. Given that the transmitters are line of sight, you can count on only a few miles of range from 3-feet above the water. That range is likely to be diminished considerably when calling from a swimming position, particularly if the waves are up. Someday I might test it out.