Re: [Paddlewise] SPOT anxiety

I think that's ridiculous.  And a somewhat panic-stricken fear in and of itself.

You're saying that because the Coast Guard is not going to search on
the basis of a lack of SPOT check-ins, it's not going to search on any
overdue basis at all?  Quit panicking.



On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 7:48 PM, Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 7:25 PM, Bob Myers <qajaqbob_at_gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> The problem is that people are panicking over a lack of an OK message
>> sent from SPOT, and not responding to an actual call for help.  There
>> is every reason for the Coast Guard and other SAR operators to be
>> skeptical of a lack of SPOT tracking or OK messages - they absolutely
>> should not respond for that reason alone.  There really should be some
>> other information other than a lack of SPOT tracking.   I would be
>> surprised if they don't quickly establish a policy like that.
>
> This is EXACTLY the point! The existing float plan system in which you tell
> your wife to expect a phone call every night and to call the USCG if she
> doesn't get one by the next morning is in jeopardy. At that point you will
> HAVE TO CARRY SPOT or some other "official" distress device or go it alone
> knowing no one will look for you even if you wife camps on the desk of the
> OIC in Seattle. God help you if your SPOT stops working or you have the bad
> judgement to get into trouble where SPOT doesn't see the satellite. Because
> the policy you wouldn't be surprised to see the USCG implement isn't likely
> to listen to your wife on the phone saying that you are overdue.
>
>>
>> However, SPOT can call for help, and THAT is the primary SAR usage for
>> the device - not failure to receive OK or tracking messages.   There's
>> little reason to believe that 911 functionality of SPOT will ever be
>> ignored due to false alarms, especially if you're paying GEOS for the
>> search and rescue insurance as well.  So no, there won't be an end of
>> SPOT usefulness, and you shouldn't leave it at home.
>
> That's not the point. The point is that once the USCG implements the
> policies to protect them from the panic-strucken SPOT users you will not
> have access to any other means of telling the USCG there is a problem other
> than SPOT or one of the new EPIRBs. This is a swell marketing service for
> SPOT but not so hot for people who might run into trouble north of Orcas
> Island and not had the foresight to pay up for their SPOT.
>
> We know that SPOT will do 911 notifications. But right now there are free
> alternatives to paying up every month. Alternatives that work. But probably
> won't in a year or so.
>
>
> Craig Jungers
> Moses Lake, WA
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