Re: [Paddlewise] Who picks up the rescue tab

Niilus wrote: -
>I carry a satellite phone (Globalstar)

G'Day,

I do like the idea of a satellite phone - GPS combination. Sounds perfect.
Too expensive for me though.

Being a fairly risk averse sort of paddler I've mostly had to use my communication
gear to help rescue others. First time it was a whistle, it was all the gear
I had, I'ld come across two kayaers paddling against a three knot southerly
current along a non landable coast line and a 20 knot southerly wind about
to pick up. They were getting nowhere and I didn't have a tow rope (serious
ommission). It was sheer luck that the whistle was heard and I was able to
get help for them, that taught me to carry proper gear!

The second time was two weeks ago. I'ld been carrying a VHF radio for three
or four years and was becoming increasingly unconvinced of its usefulness,
particularly because of the tendency for VHF to be blocked by headlands.
Just two weeks ago found myself acting as a very effective relay between
a rescuer/rescuee and their main party so I'm hanging on to the VHF radio.

Trouble with not communicating is that if an empty boat is found and no
communication or float plan to support it, the authorities over here do
go to a lot of trouble to find out what has happened. They generally seem
to prefer it if you stay in touch. More convenient for them.

EPIRBS here will call out some or all of the Navy, the Airforce, the Water
Police, and the Coast Guard and they have been known to travel several thousand
miles into the Southern Ocean to rescue lone yachtsmen. I carry an EPIRB
but it scares me and I'ld have to be near death to use it. A few mates of
mine were attacked by a saltwater crocodile in the Northern Territory some
years ago and had to use their EPIRB as one of the party was very severely
injured. There's general agreement the decision was justified. They sold
the story to the press and used the proceeds to help the hospital which looked
after them - seemed like the fair thing.

All the best, PeterO
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************