[Paddlewise] Marine Operator

Say that you left a float plan at home (and if you did not, please
do it next time), that says to call the Coast Guard for help if
you are not back by, say, 9pm.

You are delayed by repair in the kayak hull, and then the
wind picks up against you. You have your night lights with you and are just
a few yards from the Golden Gate bridge at 8:50pm. 

You are fine, but your significant other is about to call the
Coast Guard, or even 911. 

If you have a VHF radio, tune to channel 28, and transmit:
operator-operator-operator
An operator will answer, and will connect you with the local
phone company's marine operator. 
Tell the operator to place a collect call to your residence
phone number.
Now tell your significant other that you are fine, and that you will
be on your way home as soon as you paddle a few more yards
and tie your kayak to your car's rack.

The cost of such a call, according to Pacific Bell, is $2.55 for
the first 3 minutes, and 85 cents per minute after that.


It is also possible to call from land to a vessel. Dial 0 to get
the operator, and tell her/him that you want to make a marine call.
They need to know (provide as much information as you can):

Vessel's name
Vessel's ID number
Captain's name
Closest port

The charges are the same.  If you are calling from out of the
area, say from San Jose to a vessel close to the Golden Gate,
then the usual long distance charges apply in addition to the
$2.55/3min of the actual marine call.

I think I am going to test this next time.

- Julio
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************