Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Jamisjockey on March 02, 2009, 08:04:15 AM
-
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/01/florida.missing.boaters/index.html?section=cnn_latest
CLEARWATER, Florida (CNN) -- Two NFL players are among four boaters missing since Saturday night off Florida's Gulf Coast, officials told CNN.
Corey Smith, left, and Marquis Cooper are two of the men missing in Florida, officials said.
1 of 2 Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and NFL free agent Corey Smith, who played for the Detroit Lions for the past three seasons, have not returned from a Saturday fishing trip in water off Clearwater, Florida, family members and colleagues said Sunday.
"It feels like my greatest fear coming true -- it doesn't feel real," Cooper's wife, Rebekah, told CNN affiliate WTSP in Tampa on Sunday afternoon. "I'm just waiting for a phone call."
The Coast Guard began searching around 2 a.m. Sunday after it learned that four men -- Cooper, Smith, and former University of South Florida football players William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler -- had not returned from their fishing trip Saturday evening as expected.
Rough weather has hampered the effort, but "it's still a very active search," Coast Guard Capt. Tim Close told reporters Sunday afternoon.
Poor visibility from heavy waves forced the search-and-rescue effort to be conducted primarily by air, though authorities deployed patrol boats as well, Close said.
Searchers have focused on 750 square miles of open water in the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles west of Clearwater Pass. From there, the men had left the Seminole Boat Ramp in a 21-foot single-engine boat about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
I have it from another boating forum that the seas were 2-4 in the morning, but built to 4-8 in the afternoon. The boat they were in is 2' shorter than sugar mama. Last time I was in 4' seas I packed up and went home. When you lose sight of land in a boat in this class, you feel very, very small.
http://www.evergladesboats.com/boats/210cc.php
-
I read a slightly different article, but came to the same conclusion.
They were heading to a fishing spot 50 miles offshore, in a 21' boat, in building seas and cold weather. I'd be shocked if they had any commo other then cell phones and a VHF, which is only effective to abou 10-12 miles on a boat like that. I feel bad for the families but this is a case where stupid cost something.
I have a 21' Caravelle, and live right next to to Clearwater, and would never have considered that trip. Heck, in 4-8 foot seas I would take my (the Army's really) 74' LCM-8 in unless I had a real good reason not to.
People buy a boat, play ith it in the Bay a couple times and all of a sudden think they're Cpt. Cook or something.
-
I was in a boat that was 21' during a storm one time and it was pretty freaky... that was on a lake. I can only imagine what it would be like on the ocean.
-
Local scoop is that two of them are actually experienced boaters. I think they saw a weather window and went with it. Probably over estimated how long it would last and got caught. One or two over the transom, and its over.
-
I'm here in St. Pete too. I know guys that pick their days with boats that size. If they were "experienced" I cannot for the life of me understand why they would go out, knowing a front was coming like that. If you have a boat that size you have to be, very, very, careful about how far offshore you decide to go on any given day. Not only that, but if you do decide to run something like that 50 miles out, you need to have a means of relaying a distress signal.
My Dad has a boat that size, but I wouln't take it out that far without knowing that I could put out a distress call that would reach someone. Anything can happen out there. Besides the weather, you could easily have electrical or mechanical issues. The Gulf is typically a lot flatter than the Atlantic, but you can't take it for granted. Especially in a boat that size.
With that said, I really feel for those guys and their family. The ocean is a huge, unforgiving, cold, place. I spend a lot of time on the water and can't imagine how bad it would suck to go that way. My prayers are with them.
-
50 miles in a 21 foot boat. Sounds like it would take half the day just getting out there and coming back. Not something for a small weather window.
-
I take it no EPIRB since the story didn't mention it?
-
50 miles in a 21 foot boat. Sounds like it would take half the day just getting out there and coming back. Not something for a small weather window.
A 21' Center Console like the one they were in typically will make 30-40mph cruise in a 2-4' ocean swell.
And I'm not buying the 50 miles stuff. Just 'cause they've been that far out didn't mean they were going that far yesterday, or that they didn't break the boat before they got that far out, etc etc.
-
A 21' Center Console like the one they were in typically will make 30-40mph cruise in a 2-4' ocean swell.
And I'm not buying the 50 miles stuff. Just 'cause they've been that far out didn't mean they were going that far yesterday, or that they didn't break the boat before they got that far out, etc etc.
The Middle Grounds are about 40 to 50 miles out off Clearwater/St. Pete. I have no idea if they were going there or if they made it. I just assume that is where they were going because that is where everyone else is goes to fish around here. However, the article said they were headed for a wreck. Could have been the Blackthorn, but there is no telling. That is a popular one but there are obviously others. This is all speculation of course. I was just thinking of what could possibly get them in trouble even if they didn't have any trouble mechanically or electrically.
-
It sounded like the media and USCG were speculating off of some of the missing crew's favorite fishing sites, I think they had a log book with GPS coords, or something like that.
-
http://www.tampabay.com/
One of Four found, alive, clinging to the capsized boat.
-
http://www.tampabay.com/
One of Four found, alive, clinging to the capsized boat.
Just heard the report. I was unconcious getting a TEE Echocardiogram when the found him. Thank God they found at least one of them. That is very hopeful for the rest of them.
Nick was saying that they were all together with life jackets on at 2:00am. I really hope they find the rest of them soon. It couldn't be too long before the rest of them are found due to standard dispersion/currents.
Thankfully they are all really healthy young men. Hopefully that will carry them until they are found.
-
I take it no EPIRB since the story didn't mention it?
EPIRBs are vanishingly rare on boats that size, at least in FL. They do lower your expected rescue time to about 12 hrs on average though.
-
EPIRBs are vanishingly rare on boats that size, at least in FL. They do lower your expected rescue time to about 12 hrs on average though.
I know kayakers, heck, even backcountry skiers and hikers, who carry the smaller epirbs up here. For as little as they cost I can't think of a good excuse not to grab one for a boat of that size if you are going out into open water.
-
I know kayakers, heck, even backcountry skiers and hikers, who carry the smaller epirbs up here. For as little as they cost I can't think of a good excuse not to grab one for a boat of that size if you are going out into open water.
Those are my thoughts on the subject exactly. Especially since VHF can't reach the Coast Guard towers at that range, which is my understanding.
-
I'm actually contemplating getting a spot, since I can carry it directly on my body on the boat.
-
At $150 or so a pop on sale, I'd probably work my way up to one per life jacket if I just had 4-6 to do and thought the risk high enough.
Cheap insurance considering.
-
The guy they found still clinging to the boat was suffering from hypothermia. Life jackets or not, ocean water is cold. I do not think this bodes well for the other three. I doubt the Coast Guard is saying it publically, but I suspect this mission is shifting from "rescue" to "recovery."
I used to own a 30-foot deep-water cruising sailboat. I might have ventured 50 miles offshore in that, but in a 21-foot center console? No way, no how. Not over the horizon in that little toy.
-
I'm actually contemplating getting a spot, since I can carry it directly on my body on the boat.
If you have any questions about the SPOT ask away.
I own one and have used it on several backpacking trips.
If you want I'll email you the link to my SPOT page for my next trip. This Thursday through Mon or Tues of the following week I'll be in Quetico Provincial Park in Canada.
-
At $150 or so a pop on sale
They'r a little more expensive then that. The kayak/hiker/backcountry models aren't really the best for ocean use. If you're going out of VHF range of land what you really want is a floating 406/121.5 Mhz Cat I or II Epirb. Depending on deals they will run you $350-$500. 500 if you want the auto-activate and hydrostatic release. Still, about what a decent VHF costs.
My 21' has this EPIRB (http://www.acrelectronics.com/satellite2/sat2.html), A GMDSS compliant DSC VHF slaved to my GPS, float-free water activated strobes and smoke pots, and I STILL don't go more then 12 miles off-shore, and need a REAL good reason to do that. I've seen the Gulf of Mexico get nasty, quick. It doesn't happen often , but if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Of course I'm a military mariner, and slightly paranoid. The only reason I don't have RADAR is I can't find a spot to mount the dome.
-
Of course I'm a military mariner, and slightly paranoid.
you are not parnoid mother nature is trying to kill you
-
The guy they found still clinging to the boat was suffering from hypothermia. Life jackets or not, ocean water is cold. I do not think this bodes well for the other three. I doubt the Coast Guard is saying it publically, but I suspect this mission is shifting from "rescue" to "recovery."
I used to own a 30-foot deep-water cruising sailboat. I might have ventured 50 miles offshore in that, but in a 21-foot center console? No way, no how. Not over the horizon in that little toy.
I've been over the horizon in my boat a few times. Its all about picking the days, watching the weather, and not being too proud to turn around if its not what you expected. I've done exactly that, in NC, last summer.
Between accurate NOAA forcasts and instant, current offshore weather and wave data, its kind of hard to screw up IMHO.
-
I've been over the horizon in my boat a few times. Its all about picking the days, watching the weather, and not being too proud to turn around if its not what you expected. I've done exactly that, in NC, last summer.
Between accurate NOAA forcasts and instant, current offshore weather and wave data, its kind of hard to screw up IMHO.
Exactly. Part of being a good sailor is knowing you and your equipment's limits. I've definitely gone "over-the-horizon" in a 20 foot boat in the Gulf. But I was always sure of the weather, had back-up equipment, and proper comms. I always understood the horizon to be about 12 miles away standing on the deck of a boat. However, I also know that the Coast Guard has a tower that is more than a few feet above the ground so they may hear more VHF distress calls. I always thought they could hear them from about 28 miles - even if you couldn't hear them. I'll have to look that up though to be sure.
I competitively sail mostly these days. I haven't gone offshore in quite a while to fish or dive. We usually sail in the Bay. So we don't normally have any of the same worries. Plus there are always a bunch more eyes around.
I'm getting really worried about these guys now. They've been pushing physical limits for hypothermia for a few hours now. My original understanding was that the other guys were with Nick until 2:00am, yesterday. But that seems to be a false report (morons). The story seems to be that they were separated from the boat when it capsized. If that is the case, God be with them. They are going to be very, very, hard to find.
I'm afraid the biggest lesson out of this accident will be to do anything that you can to stay with your vessel. Capsized or not. If your boat capsizes, and you are in a storm, fight like hell to get back to it. It may be the only thing that saves you.
I'm still praying for those guys. There is still a chance they could make it. They are big, healthy, and young. I'm still keeping my hopes up a bit for them.
-
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090303/ap_on_re_us/missing_boaters_nfl
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Coast Guard says four men, including two NFL players, put on their life vests after their boat overturned in the Gulf of Mexico.
The ocean search for Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, free-agent defensive lineman Corey Smith and former University of South Florida player William Bleakley entered its third day Tuesday.
Capt. Timothy Close says the lone man rescued so far, Nick Schuyler, told interviewers that the boat capsized as the four friends were pulling up the anchor Saturday evening.
They swam under the boat and were able to recover their life vests.
They stayed together for some time and it remains unclear when and how they got separated. The Coast Guard rescued Schuyler Monday after they found him clinging to the hull of the boat.
-
There is still a chance they could make it.
Unfortunatly not a meaningful chance.
If at all possible, if your boat capsizes, tie yourself to it. that way you won't get washed away.
-
Of course I'm a military mariner, and slightly paranoid.
you are not parnoid mother nature is trying to kill you
So many folks do not understand that simple point.
"The ducks are never going to line up. The ducks are trying to kill you."
----John Derbyshire
-
my worst fear is to push my luck like that and be the survivor have to face the other families. i've done my best to kill myself more than once only to have blind dumb luck save me.
-
Unfortunatly not a meaningful chance.
If at all possible, if your boat capsizes, tie yourself to it. that way you won't get washed away.
The probability of them being dead exponentially increases every second. I know it isn't meaningful from a mathmatical or statistical perspective, but if I was the family, it would mean a hell of a lot more. At this late in the effort, I'm not holding my breath. Sixty-four degree water is friggin' cold if you ask me. Even if you are only in for an hour. But miracles happen. *shrugs
-
There is a hypothermia survival chart here (http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hypothermia.htm).
-
There is a hypothermia survival chart here (http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hypothermia.htm).
Yeah. I'd say it is over by those numbers. Hopefully they can at least recover the remains for the families. I'll bet Nick is just beside himself right now. He is going to have one hell of a case of survivor's guilt. I would think.
-
I meant to drop by earlier, but they suspended the rescue efforts. The report I heard said there were 230 search hours (This has to be cumulative hours by individual vessels) and 23,000 square miles searched. Or was it 26,000?
Do you guys care to speculate on why the weren't found?
I was thinking, especially since they found the boat, that they somehow passed over the guys in their search. Since they have thermal imaging I was thinking they probably already passed away and weren't giving off body heat. Given how hard it is to spot someone visually during an aerial search when you only can see their head bobbing in the water assuming they still had life-jackets on.
Care to share any thoughts on the subject? I'm sure one of you guys knows more about it than I do.
-
Considering all you see when someone is in the water is their head, awful hard to spot in pitching seas, rain, blowing wind......
I think considering the conditions, they probably drown pretty early on.
-
don't folks suffering from hypothermia sometimes do things like take off their coats/clothes?the cold addels them
-
Considering all you see when someone is in the water is their head, awful hard to spot in pitching seas, rain, blowing wind......
I think considering the conditions, they probably drown pretty early on.
Even with life-jackets?
don't folks suffering from hypothermia sometimes do things like take off their coats/clothes?the cold addels them
I was wondering that too. But I don't now if it applies.
-
stories like this are good reminders to fools like me. especially fools who take their kids with em.
-
stories like this are good reminders to fools like me. especially fools who take their kids with em.
I don't have kids. But I would definitely remove the fool title along with its accoutrements. I can't imagine that you would want to live with the consequences. Even if you could, I'm sure the wifey would make it impossible shortly thereafter.
I'm sure you already have though. This kind of stuff should make us all think. I know it does for me. Even just sailing on the Bay can turn into a nightmare given the right circumstances. And I have seen them. You go out and sail in a dinghy that is shorter than your car that will flip faster than a coin in 20-30 knot wind and your mind will be racing with how you are going to get your boat righted and your crew back on board. It isn't a matter of if, it is when.
-
if i hurt my kids like that i would get in touch with my japanese side right away. i've not got what it takes to live with that. i almost croaked when her pony rolled over on her. was thinking glue
-
if i hurt my kids like that i would get in touch with my japanese side right away. i've not got what it takes to live with that. i almost croaked when her pony rolled over on her. was thinking glue
LOL. That animal appreciates your mercy.
It is amazing how resilient kids are though. It absolutely amazes me the crap I used to do - for fun. I would break something if I did it now.
-
They dehidrate and then drink seawater.
-
They dehidrate and then drink seawater.
Well they don't have to. Then again. I haven't gone that long without water while swimming in a few billion-quadrillion gallons of salt-water. I'm sure it is tempting, but I would love to see numbers based on the number of people who have given the same situation.
I would like to think these guys would have more discipline than that. Maybe they would....maybe they wouldn't.
-
There is a report that Nick stated the two NFL players took their live jackets off and gave up. The other guy thought he saw lights and was going to try to swim to safety.
-
Do you guys care to speculate on why the weren't found?
They drowned. They shed their PFDs according to the survivor.
I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say they were hypothermic and out of their minds.
Take this lesson, ladies and gents: the sea will kill you without remorse. Whether shallow or deep, the sea wants to take you back.
You wind up crab meat.
TC
-
That was a tiny little boat they were in, too.
Is something that small rated for open seas?
-
That was a tiny little boat they were in, too.
Is something that small rated for open seas?
Yup. But not for the stuff they took it out in.
Edgewater has a good reputation and can handle some pretty nasty stuff. Being they were at anchor in rough seas, they probably took one over the bow or side. Water filled the boat which shifted the center of gravity and over she went.
Its not uncommon to run a boat like that 20 or 30 miles out. On a nice day with a good weather window.
Hell it was only 2' shorter than my boat. But I've never had mine out on a day that was forcast to turn into 8'+ seas.
-
There's probably a reason for it, but I've seen a lot of capsized boats in that size range. Would it be possible to build a survival shelter somewhere in the hull with some sort of air refresh valve on the bottom? That way people don't end up trying to cling to the outside?
-
Yup. But not for the stuff they took it out in.
Edgewater has a good reputation and can handle some pretty nasty stuff. Being they were at anchor in rough seas, they probably took one over the bow or side. Water filled the boat which shifted the center of gravity and over she went.
Its not uncommon to run a boat like that 20 or 30 miles out. On a nice day with a good weather window.
Hell it was only 2' shorter than my boat. But I've never had mine out on a day that was forcast to turn into 8'+ seas.
I have had a 20' boat out to 28 miles here before. But it was a really nice day with no chance for a front at all. That is where they really screwed up. I've got a notion that the owner ( I can't remember which one) didn't take the Coast Guard Aux. Course or any other where they cover the limitations of your boat vs. how fast the weather can change. You don't often see 8ft. seas here on the Gulf side much. In fact, I'd say it is downright rare. But I wouldn't take that boat out in anything over 3ft. for the simple sake of comfortability.
A 21ft. boat is mostly for inland waters including the Intercoastal and the Bay. You can take it out on the ocean, but I would say 25 miles is pushing it on average. Of course, as everyone has said, you can pick your days/windows and go out further, but you are testing the limits of your knowledge of the weather/ocean and how they interact. The range of your seafaring should be directly correlated with your level knowledge/experience on the ocean. Period. Even if you have the "proper" equipment - if you don't have the knowledge to put it to use, you risk killing yourself and others.
This was a perfect example of how many guys go out and purchase a boat and have no clue how to use it safely. So many people I've seen that just buy the boat and expect it to be just like a car. It mostly costs them a lot of money in fiberglass repairs. But occasionally we have stories like this.
Hell, many people don't even know how to read channel markers, much less navigate the open ocean responsibly. I don't know that I would like to require people to take a course like the Coast Guard Auxiliary gives, but I think boat dealers should be much more proactive in offering/pushing boat buyers to take basic seamanship classes.
I believe everyone should be responsible for themselves and that the government should not have their fingers in everything, etc. But a big part of me also thinks that they should do more for on the educational aspect of proper seamanship/boating. The numbers don't really support it though. Last year, I think there were 69 deaths in Florida related to boating. Compare that to approximately 1.1 million vessels registered in the state. That should equate to an awful lot of hours on the water between accidents. Plus, most people who died drowned after falling overboard. Not from navigational errors, capsizing, etc.
It is just a shame when this stuff happens when it could have been avoided. What is that saying about accident avoidence? 90% can be?
Apparantly, there are unconfirmed rumors that the two NFL players gave up after two hours?! That doesn't make sense in the slightest. Maybe after a longer period of time, but not two hours. Here is a link to that story: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504464,00.html (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504464,00.html)
-
Oh. I wanted to tell you guys that you can get an EPIRB for under $200. I've been wanting to get one for a while now as a personal item. I just haven't been doing crap that would require its use.
Here: http://www.tigergps.com/acrminib300ils.html?productid=acrminib300ils&channelid=FROOG (http://www.tigergps.com/acrminib300ils.html?productid=acrminib300ils&channelid=FROOG)
I'd forego a couple of trips or dinners out to buy one if I was going offshore. That is for sure.
-
Apparantly, there are unconfirmed rumors that the two NFL players gave up after two hours?! That doesn't make sense in the slightest. Maybe after a longer period of time, but not two hours. Here is a link to that story: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504464,00.html (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504464,00.html)
Float in cold water for a couple of hours, with little hope of getting out for several more hours, and no promise of ever getting out, then tell me that a quick drowning isn't even a remotely rational preference.
-
There's probably a reason for it, but I've seen a lot of capsized boats in that size range. Would it be possible to build a survival shelter somewhere in the hull with some sort of air refresh valve on the bottom? That way people don't end up trying to cling to the outside?
I would think that pop-out handles on the bottom of the hull would be a better solution. Being under a boat that might potentially sink seems like a bad idea to me.
-
Hell, many people don't even know how to read channel markers, much less navigate the open ocean responsibly. I don't know that I would like to require people to take a course like the Coast Guard Auxiliary gives, but I think boat dealers should be much more proactive in offering/pushing boat buyers to take basic seamanship classes.
I think that insurance companies should be encouraged to require safety courses in all that we do. Seems prudent. I also think that the government should butt out of helmet and seatbelt laws. But, if you don't wear one, I think the insurance company should be allowed to make you liable for your injuries.
Apparantly, there are unconfirmed rumors that the two NFL players gave up after two hours?! That doesn't make sense in the slightest. Maybe after a longer period of time, but not two hours. Here is a link to that story: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504464,00.html (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504464,00.html)
Hypothermia and exhaustion. Seems like they would have been fit enough to stave it off for longer. Its hard to judge someone's reaction, as there are so many factors that can play into it. The survivor is the only one telling the story, too. His version might be skewed by his time in the water, too.
-
Oh. I wanted to tell you guys that you can get an EPIRB for under $200. I've been wanting to get one for a while now as a personal item. I just haven't been doing crap that would require its use.
Here: http://www.tigergps.com/acrminib300ils.html?productid=acrminib300ils&channelid=FROOG (http://www.tigergps.com/acrminib300ils.html?productid=acrminib300ils&channelid=FROOG)
I'd forego a couple of trips or dinners out to buy one if I was going offshore. That is for sure.
NO! Don't buy that one.
http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/firstpage/121.5phaseout.htm
The International Cospas-Sarsat System has ceased satellite processing of 121.5/243 MHz beacons on 1 February 2009. All beacon owners and users should replace their 121.5/243 MHz beacons with 406 MHz beacons as soon as possible.
Only 406 MHz beacons are now detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. This affects all maritime beacons (EPIRBs), all aviation beacons (ELTs) and all personal beacons (PLBs). However, other devices (such as man overboard systems and homing transmitters) that operate at 121.5 MHz and do not rely on satellite detection are not affected by the phase-out of satellite processing at 121.5 MHz.
The decision to terminate 121.5/243 MHz processing was made in October 2000 at the 25th Session of the Cospas-Sarsat Council (CSC-25).
I'm actually going to buy a spot next week.
There was this one, too.
http://www.tigergps.com/acrterrafixgpsi.html
-
NO! Don't buy that one.
http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/firstpage/121.5phaseout.htm
I'm actually going to buy a spot next week.
There was this one, too.
http://www.tigergps.com/acrterrafixgpsi.html
Good call. I didn't pay attention to the ad too much. I just did a search for 'em and posted that one because it was the cheapest. I would probably buy one of those Spots.
Wow. Buyer beware. Why in the hell would they keep selling those things after February. Damn thing is worthless. The SARSAT page said the satellites quit processing the 121/243 mHz signals in February of this year. Wow. =|
-
Only worthless if you're going to be out of sight of landbased antennas. For costal bay and inshore its probably a good call, unless you're talking something like the Everglades where you'd be miles and miles away from any possible signal reception.
-
Only worthless if you're going to be out of sight of landbased antennas. For costal bay and inshore its probably a good call, unless you're talking something like the Everglades where you'd be miles and miles away from any possible signal reception.
Ah. I didn't know that had land based receivers for them. Clears that up! =D
-
You want a DUAL BAND 406/121.5 EPIRB. The sat's will pickup the 406, and the planes/boats will use the 121.5 to homing i on you from short range. In addition a GPS enabled DSC VHF is an inexpensive, really good safety item for small craft. With DSC/GPS push one button and the radio will automaticlly transmit a distress signal with your LAT/Long to shore stations. If you're out of range of shore other vessels DSC's can recieve and relay your distress signal automaticlly. It takes about 5 secs to get a mayday out. Good stuff.
If you'regoing to get a maritime EPIRB, spend the $500 that a good one costs. Salt water is an increidably harsh environment and the PLB's aren't really design for it. Also a PLB's smaller battery could cause issues if it takes a couple hours to get a boat out to your location.
-
You want a DUAL BAND 406/121.5 EPIRB. The sat's will pickup the 406, and the planes/boats will use the 121.5 to homing i on you from short range. In addition a GPS enabled DSC VHF is an inexpensive, really good safety item for small craft. With DSC/GPS push one button and the radio will automaticlly transmit a distress signal with your LAT/Long to shore stations. If you're out of range of shore other vessels DSC's can recieve and relay your distress signal automaticlly. It takes about 5 secs to get a mayday out. Good stuff.
If you'regoing to get a maritime EPIRB, spend the $500 that a good one costs. Salt water is an increidably harsh environment and the PLB's aren't really design for it. Also a PLB's smaller battery could cause issues if it takes a couple hours to get a boat out to your location.
Do they have an automated monitoring system that tracks the last known co-ordinates? I don't see how they couldn't have that since it is all computerized anyway.
-
For harsh environment personal EPIRBS, these are a good (but not cheap) bet:
http://www.landfallnavigation.com/maxgplb.html
We require them in survival vests for all our over water flight ops (though this "max" is a new unit, we have the "Fastfind Plus" units). If you guys get one, just remember when you register it to be sure to put emergency contacts that you know can be reached. Calls will be made to ensure it's not a false alarm, and if someone answers the phone to verify that you are indeed in trouble, rescue resources build dramatically.
For more info:
http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/