EPIRBs are fine but if you've got line of sight, VHF should be the primary method to call for assistance. The State of Hawaii now requires that all boats have either a VHF or EPIRB. The problem here with EPIRB is any response will come from Barber's Point on Oahu. That's 80 miles from Maui. As the local Coasties seem to be from Midwestern states, they have a hard time translating the local names into a location.

My wife spotted a boat in distress and called the local Coasties. They thought she was trying to report a problem on Oahu. She finally gave up and called the Fire Dept. who showed up in five minutes.

That's like carrying epoxy... and spare epoxy. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And scuba tanks! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And an epoxy spreading cell phone!

A few documents that might be of interest.



and one for fun:

My waterproof VHF's have had no problems stored in my life vest pocket, which affords them protection from direct spray.
All 3 are still alive, though one has a salt-jammed squelch control. The biggest problem is corrosion of the battery charging terminals: you must wash with fresh water after every outing or one of them will erode from electrolysis.

The sames goes for GPS's: the ones that have died have been subjected to direct spray (foretrex, etrex, and GPSMap3 dragged under a Tornado on the boom during powerboat righting last weekend.)

I think folks are nuts thinking a non-waterproof satellite phone is going to do them any good. I've killed 2 cell phones now by getting the slightest amount of salt water on them from wet hands.

I once tried putting a thin latex sock over my VHF for protection from spray, but you can imagine the looks I got from people. :-D

--Glenn

It's funny to think that someone would actually carry cable cutters but it was the right tool at the right time and probably saved a life. Kinda like me wearing a bike helmet for over 50,000 miles and never getting any benefit from it other than shading my head and then using it for a tenth of a second to keep from getting killed in a crash.

Everything...even the "waterproof" stuff...goes in a fitted drybag through which it can be operated. I've had the same handheld for three years and it's been through a lot.

My phone and radios are also in a waterproof bag and stay in it the entire time. I never take them out to use them. It works great through the bag. I have no reason to think the sat phone would be the same......
Greg

The sat phones can be used while in a waterproof bag - but the bag has to be quite big because of the size of the antenna. I know one distance racer who calls in race reports from his while on the water - so it is doable.

I keep mine folded in the dry bag for emergency use only. I figure you take it out the bag, make a call and then put it back.

Q - Under what circumstances should you change course in a distance race to check whether you should render assistance?

A - Whenever required by the RRS and/or the Rules of the Road (international treaty for safety at sea that all local laws and regulations must follow).

Q - Is it automatic if you see a flip or stuff to assume you must go and check on the boat?

A -No. You are required to change course only if assistance is required. It's the skipper's call.

Q - Does it matter how radically you have to change course? (Sail back up wind)

A - Only if your course change puts your boat in danger.

Q - Can you assume that boats behind will see the crashed boat and stop and render assistance?

A - No.

Q - Do you keep checking to see if anyone did stop or the boat is upright before you turn around or heave to and wait until the boat is up and moving again and ask for redress?

A - Yes.

Q - Does it matter if its a buoy race and there are mark boats on the course. Would no mark boats change your point of view? Does this change your perspective and give you a pass?

A - The presence of other vessels in the vicinity obviously affect a skipper's decision to render assistance. If you see another boat approaching the troubled one and consider that it will suffice, you are free to go.
Note, however, that if conditions are bad enough to put one boat in trouble, they are likely to be (or become) bad enough to put more boats in trouble, possibly more than the RC and support boats can handle.
Besides, if you make a bad judgement, you are liable. Legally and moraly.

Q - Should distance racers keep their hand held radio's on their person and listen for a distress call?

A - A hand held is mandatory when required by the sailing instructions. If there are no explicit instructions regarding its use, the decision to turn it on depends on battery charge availability and weather conditions. Each skipper must decide what to do. Rule of thumb: if you would feel better knowing that others are listening at a given time, then turn yours on as well.

Q - Should any of this be spelled out in the Sailing Instructions or is the general rule 1 good enough?

A - Except for the hand held, everything else is covered by the RRS and international treaty.

Q - Should the PRO bring this protocol up at the Skip meeting?

A - Maybe as an additional safety measure.

Luiz, good recap. Depending on the venue and conditions, the PRO should always cover safety and assistance. When we race on the Columbia River, home of the Gorge, and other areas with high wind and ship traffic, it is always covered. Large ships and barge traffic is the main hazzard. The normal instructions are automatic DSQ if you venture too close to ship or try to cross in their path. Also the reminder that the tug and barge may be several hundred feet apart, but the tow cable, under water is still there. Another automatic DSQ if you try to go between them.

Our safety boats try to herd the Cats away on an approaching tow, but accidents still happen. Several years ago, we had a H-16 that had turned over eaten up by a barge and tow. The crew had been rescued, but the tow could not stop. They can not alter course, and it takes several miles for them to stop.

Safety first, better to let them pass first, then cross behind.

Caleb Tarleton