Re: [Paddlewise] Marine Operator

Dennis Higgins wrote:
> 
> As Julio McWilliams states, it IS possible to contact a marine operator
> with your hand-held VHF!  However, when you are asked for your vessel
> numbers or account numbers (as I was while off Cape Lookout this last
> summer) be prepared for a rather abrupt "dial tone" followed by the hiss
> of your squelch when you begin to explain that you are in a kayak.  No
> matter, the pizza deliver person would not possibly find you while the
> pizza was hot and they never have a good red wine anyway!  Maybe better
> on the Pacific coast - "Chateau McWilliams" in a brown paper bag?


This reminds me of an experience here in NYC on a round Manhattan trip. 
It was early in the realm of cellular phones.  

We were most of the way around when we were alerted by people on shore
to a would-be suicide in the river just ahead of us.  I thought they
were joshing us but went in closer to look and indeed it was the bobbing
head of a man trying to submerge himself.  I was in a single and decided
to send in two guys in a double in case the suicide-inclined person
tried to defy his rescue and try to tip a boat.

Meanwhile one fellow among us had one of those new fangled cell phones. 
He dialed 911 for help to be waiting when we got the guy back to shore. 
I could only here his side of the conversation but clearly his saying
that he was calling from a kayak on the Hudson was being dismissed as a
crank call.  Our guy shouted his address, social security number,
mother's maiden name, etc. anything he could think of to establish
credibility.  The cops did respond. :-)

ralph
> 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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