"Using SPOT in Conjunction with a Float Plan, -- Ideas

[hardee]

This topic has been touched on in another thread and there may be more than one C-Brat who came into a "Satellite Messaging Service" device over the holiday or end of the year.

Up to now, we have used a combination of e-mail/phone contacts for a float plan practice. We have a basic float plan form on the computer, and e-mail it to an out of town relative usually the day before we leave. It gives all the specifics about the boat, (including a photo), us and pickup, plans, phones ect. When we actually leave the marina, we call, and usually just leave a message on the phone that we are out, and when we expect to call in. All based on Cell phone connectivity.

SPOT is going to have an affect on that system. Not sure exactly how just yet, but I know it is going to be an improvement. Deena surprised me with a new pet for Christmas …..SPOT, (from See Spot Run, See Spot Jump and now See SPOT Go. So today we did a dry run, from Moscow, ID to Sequim WA. Using both Check IN OK and tracking features to we did a dry run, (Well sort of) , 418 miles and about 9 hours. It worked. We are going to incorporate SPOT into the float plan, so currently we are looking for ideas and what’s working or not from any folks using or contemplating.

The tracking feature announces every 10 min automatically; the “CheckIN OK” is a manual function. Just curious what folks think would be easy, practical, and bullet proof, (or close).

Harvey
SleepyC

[20dauntless]

Last summer I used one in Canada in conjunction with email. Every morning I turned SPOT on to tracking mode when we left the dock or anchorage and sent the OK when are arrived at the next one. If we had cell service I also sent an email. This worked well.

[flrockytop]

[El and Bill]

Following up on Roger's good response -

You have left details with a relative - all that's necessary for a possible search team.

Now, click the SPOT ("I'm OK) with your relative's email and/or iPhone address) on your departure, click en route (with "I'm OK" messages at especially interesting places for your relative) and a click on SPOT "I'm OK" when you arrive at your destination (marina or anchorage).

SPOT now has a beta version of a "shared" page where all your SPOTS are shown on one page with a colored 'trace' tracking your route. This is handy for the relative unless you have the tracking mode (which you do, but other owners may not). The 'shared page' still has some 'glitches' to be worked out - not all our SPOT messages landed on the page from our recent cruise on the Red Sea.

Again, we don't see this as a substitute for either an EPIRB, VHF Mayday, or a 911 cell call if in dire danger -- the SPOT is simply a wonderful way to share your cruising with an interested friend or relative who has a concern about your general safety.

Our daughter (especially) is our "little Mom" who likes to have the reassurance that all's well with the folks, and to follow our cruising route vicariously - without the 'bother' of a cell phone call to a busy Mom.

[hardee]

El and Bill Said:
"Again, we don't see this as a substitute for either an EPIRB, VHF Mayday, or a 911 cell call if in dire danger -- the SPOT is simply a wonderful way to share your cruising with an interested friend or relative who has a concern about your general safety."

with which I agree whole-heartedly, except the bit about a 911 Cell Call.

On our first trip across Juan de Fuca, to Lopez Island, we were very surprised to find we had no cell service where we had planned to overnight, so wound up making a run to Friday Harbor to modify the float plan. Now we do not count on the cell phone and thus have left considerably longer times open before establishing a recontact time, allowing us to cover more area before recontacting. More time, more area covered, less likelihood of a positive outcome if a search needed to be initiated. Heaven forbid, also, a longer time to be out of service, or in a survival mode.

I am going to rely on SPOT to close that communication gap.

Still trying for a simple but definable system. The above ones are good, and show it works in international travel. Any issues with boarder crossings, customs, or Commercial air travel?

Thanks,
Harvey
SleepyC

[AstoriaDave]

SPOT is a good system, with some caveats. I'm doing all of the following from memory, so I may have missed a couple things but this is what has happened to a few sea kayak paddlers in remote areas who have experienced failures in transmission of the "I'm OK" message, unknown to them.

The failures were most likely attributable to location (in deep, steep-sided fiords in Alaska, typically), and/or to the location of the unit -- on the deck of a vessel essentially at the water's surface. SPOT indicates these failures on the unit, although some of the paddlers failed to note that. This has resulted in a few (four, if memory serves me) callouts of SAR resources within the last season, in each case looking for a "lost" paddler who was not actually in trouble. The SAR resources were triggered by phone calls from minders who were concerned at the lack of an "I'm OK" transmission, who contacted the Coast Guard, typically. Naturally, the Coast Guard was nonplussed. (Pissed is more like it, I suspect.)

The end result is that currently lack of an "I'm OK" SPOT message at an expected time is not regarded as a "lost vessel" by USCG SAR, but as an "overdue" vessel, which triggers a much lesser response by SAR.

To reinforce what others have said, an EPIRB would be the device to rely on for triggering an immediate SAR response; SPOT is better used to allow others to track your whereabouts ... and the trackers might be advised not to call out the Coast Guard if you miss a couple "I'm OK" opportunities.

[JamesTXSD]

Joan bought me a SPOT for Christmas and we have been testing it out. I think it is going to be very functional in letting our daughter (our float plan contact) know we are OK when in areas without cell coverage. We intend to use it much like Harvey has mentioned; currently, we already have some leeway in our float plans, with a "here's when to get concerned" day/time. Thus far, we are seeing good accuracy and reception with the SPOT. Of course, we don't have the time working with it like many here, but I am optimistic that it will be more than a "follow along with us" tool. We have been using the beta tracking page with good results, with one caveat: it drops all the tracking points on one page, making it a bit hard to distinguish new from old if you are running in the same area frequently.

So far, we're pleased.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[flrockytop]

By the way. I just activated a second SPOT to use as a loaner. So if any C-Brat is going on an adventure and wants to use it your welcome to it. For that mater if you would just like to try one out just let me know. It here to be used.

Roger

[Doryman]

[El and Bill]

We have crossed many international borders, used on commercial flights (after the electronic device 'blackout period), and crossed many customs now without problems. Nobody has ever questioned us about it.

[hardee]

Warren asked:

[El and Bill]

I mentioned beta in regards to the 'shared page,' not the tracking option. The URL is www.findmespot.com

[Pat Anderson]

Actually, if you read the stuff in the pocket in front of the seat, I am pretty sure using any device that transmits a signal at ANY time the aircraft is in the air is prohibited. When they say it is OK to use electronic devices, the allowable ones are listed in the materials - CD players, iPods, laptops, handheld games, Blackberries / Treos with the phone function turned off, etc...You might want to specifically check on this before using Spot in flight the next time!

[El and Bill]

Ah, us nasty lil' kids who sat in the back row in class, pulled the girls pigtails, used soda straws for zipping spit balls, etc. ad no tellum - we know better than to ask, 'cause the teach' will always say "NO!!!"

So, as you wish, but this guy has used SPOT for thousands of air miles and had some great times seeing new places - Slobovia, east Byloprussia, and goodness knows where (since the pilot didn't know where - his GPS was nothing but fuzzballs) --

[Captains Cat]

Ah, good ol "Wrong Way Bill and El" strike again

Good for you!

Although if I was on a plane and turned it on and the plane suddenly took a sharp turn, I think I'd turn it off..