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

In case you didn't know it, NORAD tracks Santa. Lizzie called them a couple of times on Christmas eve to check on his progress. Apparently he goes up the east coast first, from Florida to Maine, the proceeds west in a grid pattern. When you call you actually get to talk with a NORAD guy or gal sitting in a camo uniform somewhere in the frozen north. Here's the link

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

MartyP
 
hardee":21a55dgs said:
FYI on SPOT. In the registration section on the SPOT web sight, there is a question about signing up for GEOS Search & Rescue Insurance. Fee is $7.95 and though not indicated at the time I signed up, that is for the coverage of search and rescue cost up to $100,000 and, I find, after the fact, is a per person charge. If not accepted at initial registration, it is considerably more. I accepted teh $7.95 and then find later that it is a per person, and that to add my spouse later is ~$150 or more. I currently have an e-mail question to both SPOT and GEOS if this is actually so, or if it is per incident, and good for both occupants of the boat. Seems like the $7.95 is reasonable enough, but hard to figure how there would be a per individual charge on a search, OR, that they would come pick up the registered SPOT owner and not take the spouse at the same time.

Maybe someone else knows more on this, and can add some enlightenment.

Thanks, and Happy New Year,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
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IMPORTANT NOTE:Unlimited Alert 9-1-1 usage is included as part of the low-cost SPOT service plan.

This is taken directly from the Spot website, so the way I see it if you initiate an emergency Spot service will notify the appropriate emergency services at your location. I don’t know how emergence services work in Florida or other states, but in Alaska if you initiate an emergence the Air National Guard, coastguard, or any local emergence response organization will respond to your emergence, and do it free of charge.

I have never heard of any emergence response organization sending a bill to anyone they have rescued from a life threatening or otherwise emergence situation. Granted there have been a few idiots over the years who deserved to get a bill, but I’ve never actually heard of this occurring; I could be wrong.

But, if you need medical attention beyond the first aid administerd by the emergency organization, you’ll most likely be responsible to that.

My take on the GEOS Search & Rescue Insurance is that it’s an additional revenue source written to entice its user(s) to think its nessasary, when in actuality it’s not. Think it’s much like that extended service plan retailers try to stick you with at checkout.
 
What is the cost of the second year "Search and rescue" ? I understood that the $7.95 was a "teazer" fee.

Granted that most SAR is free in the US, but there has been talk of billing by some agencies--especially in times of financial distress. However in many foreign countries SAR is is a private function and there may be a charge. Not sure if SPOT works in these areas or not.

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out in the future. I still would rather depend on a 406 EPIRB for rescue, than a private organization calling what they precieve as the appropiate agency.
 
thataway":1mu68osu said:
...

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out in the future. I still would rather depend on a 406 EPIRB for rescue, than a private organization calling what they precieve as the appropiate agency.
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I think that's a valid point, Dr. Bob, but I haven't seen an EPRIB with a "We're OK, just checking in" feature like the SPOT. If that takes some of the concern for our wanderings away from our families, it's a worthwhile feature. I've been having fun with the tracking feature, as well.

No reason you can't have both... after all, I do have two bilge pumps AND a bucket. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
No question, that the SPOT is extremely useful for the tracking and "we are OK" feature. I think it is a great item. But push comes to shove, I would rather bet my life on a 406 (or two of them--as we have).

What happens if the family does not get the "tracking" update or no I'm OK? At what point is the trigger pulled for a search and rescue--lets say if the SPOT dies? (and I don't know what the incidence of failure is).
 
thataway":28zz82ue said:
No question, that the SPOT is extremely useful for the tracking and "we are OK" feature. I think it is a great item. But push comes to shove, I would rather bet my life on a 406 (or two of them--as we have).

What happens if the family does not get the "tracking" update or no I'm OK? At what point is the trigger pulled for a search and rescue--lets say if the SPOT dies? (and I don't know what the incidence of failure is).
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We go with the "we'll call if we have a signal" routine and still have the "don't get concerned if you don't hear from us until (insert date here)", knowing that we have put plenty of pad in the timing.

Slightly OT: we once had a neighbor call the Coast Guard to report that we had not come home after a foggy night. No S&R initiated, but we got a radio call in the blind from the CG when we were coming in out of the Gulf. When we answered, they asked, "Are you alright?" I thought that was kinda unusual and responded, "We're fine, thanks for asking, how 'bout you?" 8) They switched us to 22 and told us that a neighbor had called, concerned about us. These were folks we knew but didn't have daily contact with. :roll: I told the CG that our daughter was our float plan contact, and that we didn't discuss our sailing plans with that particular neighbor.

We heard about that from our sailing buddies for a while after that... "Now you be sure to be home by the time the street lights come on... hahahahahahaha." :lol:

We look at the SPOT as some reassurance, but still have a "you will hear from us by _____" time for the kid.

Seems that I've been at your place when your kids call to see how you're doing. I wouldn't trade that talk time for an "I'm OK" message transmitted, but it has a purpose. And if things really go into the crapper, well more potential notice couldn't be bad. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
One of the reasons we liked the SPOT idea is that we frequently boat with another couple and their boat. the "Check in - OK" feature and messaging capability for that can be added to include their family as well. I am certainly not against the 406 PLB or EPIRB but the price difference was part of the deciding factor. I realize that it is a different response system.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I enjoy SPOT and use it. Mine also transmitted "accidently" as I was flying cross country on SW flight between SEATAC and Nashville and my family knew when to leave the house to pic me up at the airport. Nice.

Also nice to have folks just watching over our sholders when we travel. None of us are getting younger....and sharing the trips are nice. Also, just hitting that OK button is great after a long day on the road/waters and not having to worry about a cell phone signal.

Not a cure all for all things....but, just another item that helps keep the commo flow going with very little effort....and you can change the OK message email to the folks for each trip. Cool.

So...l like mine.

Byrdman
 
In fact...it is fun and easy to stay in contact with family and friends when you are on a trip like the one Terry/LAST DANCE and I are about to make running from NY to FL..... Who knows which all C-Brats we will see along the way or once we stop in Moore Haven, FL in a few days.

May be a gathering in the making.... Not really sure home many Brats are that close to Moore Haven...

Tracking:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... Mcp1Cjf3qX

Byrdman
 
Question: If SPOT works in Canada, do I really need to spend the money for a US FCC radio license just to get an MMSI number that is registered with the Canadian Coast Guard? Just a thought.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey,

Sea kayakers have been using SPOT units on several long-distance forays in BC waters, and tracking via "I'm OK" transmissions seem to be working well. There are dropouts here and there around Vancouver Island, probably due to a poor location for hitting a satellite, but typically, transmissions resume 10 miles along.

One kink which is not fully worked out is which SAR resource SPOT will contact if you send up an SOS. Word is that the database is sketchy in remoter places on/near open water. If you get lost hiking in the US, typically SPOT hits 911 wherever you are, and eventually, the County Sheriff gets notified and the existing search teams are mobilized. But, there is no "automatic" 911 number in the Broughtons or places like that.

Another (perhaps minor) glitch is that failure to receive an expected "I'm OK" message has caused some of the contact people to send up the balloon, and call out SAR resources, via telephone to the agency overseeing wherever the "lost" person is supposed to be. After a few false alarms of that sort, some SAR resources are now regarding such instances as an "overdue vessel" situation, and not a "lost vessel" alarm.

Thus, SPOT will not serve the same function as an EPIRB which is automatically activated on the sinking of a vessel (or downing of an aircraft).
 
Dave
"...Thus, SPOT will not serve the same function as an EPIRB which is automatically activated on the sinking of a vessel (or downing of an aircraft)."

I agree 100%, but a call on VHF Ch16 is not an EPIRB signal, and I guess, I am not clear as to the response, (if it would be different), with or without an MMSI number verified in the Canadian Coast Guard data base.

I guess I am back to deciding if I really want to go through the FCC hoops for an MMSI or if the Boat US MMSI is adequate.

Harvey
SleepyC
 
hardee":3urhz814 said:
I agree 100%, but a call on VHF Ch16 is not an EPIRB signal, and I guess, I am not clear as to the response, (if it would be different), with or without an MMSI number verified in the Canadian Coast Guard data base.

I guess I am back to deciding if I really want to go through the FCC hoops for an MMSI or if the Boat US MMSI is adequate.
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I'm in the same quandry. Most of my need for a response would be in Canadian waters. Somebody must know if the response is the same/similar north of the line. Some expense, also, going through the FCC process?
 
Theoretically one needs to have the FCC boat license in Canada. In reality many US boats do there without the FCC license. Certainly if you are going to trigger the GMDSS, you should have the appropiate ship's license.

A US registered PLB (vs a ships EPIRB) does not require a ship's radio license. The PLB is registered to a person--for land and near land use. If you have AIS, a Ships 406 EPRIB and a DSC radio, then I would definately get a ship's license.
 
Dr Bob,

"Certainly if you are going to trigger the GMDSS, you should have the appropiate ship's license."
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I think I follow the idea, but do not know the "GMDSS" initials. Please?

Thanks,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Thanks Jim, and thanks for the link too, good write up. Here's a playmate for Izzy. :dog She ....(it) might need a perk up soon :wink .

Hope all is well in the post surgical recovery zone.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
BTW, as a reminder, beginning next month:

Beginning next month, search-and-rescue satellites will no longer process the 121.5/243 MHz signal transmitted by older analog EPIRBs.

The Coast Guard is reminding mariners to replace these EPIRBs with the newer 406 MHz beacons by Feb. 1. The 406 MHz signal is 50 times more powerful than the 121.5, allowing better detection and providing a more accurate search area for rescue authorities, according to the Coast Guard.

Also, the number of false alerts with digital beacons reportedly is significantly lower than with analog units. Satellites are incapable of distinguishing between beacon and non-beacon sources using analog frequencies, resulting in only about one in five alerts coming from a beacon, according to the Coast Guard. False alert signals can come from ATMs, pizza ovens and stadium scoreboards.
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OK. Man, I know alot of folks who eat pizza! :mrgreen: :beer


Here is the officiando release:

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/443/247551/
 
My dad is in Patagonia for about three weeks and I gave him the SPOT to take along so he could update us on where he is and send OK messages. Although most of where he is is outside of the coverage area on the SPOT website it seems to be working well and it is nice to be able to get OK updates periodically since his BlackBerry doesn't get service in most areas and internet is hard to find.
 
SPOT me if you can.... Life is good in the Abacos. Winds high today in the 25+ knot range with some "light gales" this afternoon. Good day to stay tied up and work on the inside of the boat. I like my spot and without constant known good cell phone and/or internet hookups... one OK a day gets the job done. Did get to move about the other day... This is an awesome place.

Byrdman
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... Mcp1Cjf3qX
 
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