Nautilus Lifeline Work In Coz?

[Rick Brant]

I have been in a few places where none of the local boats looked equipped but there was at least one cruise ship within 30 miles. That is your most likely connection to help as they have someone actively monitoring the radio. I would assume they would call in a rescue if needed.

 

[TravisD]

Would a marine radio work better in these cases? I've been contemplating going the route of getting the tiny Horizon radio in the XL DryFob, as that would permit contact on any marine VHF channel. Doesn't have position capability, but at least voice contact could be established?

 

[Random Bit]

Would a marine radio work better in these cases? I've been contemplating going the route of getting the tiny Horizon radio in the XL DryFob, as that would permit contact on any marine VHF channel. Doesn't have position capability, but at least voice contact could be established?

I can see a few issues with this:

• I've been on boats where the captain didn't speak English so a language barrier could be a problem.
• If you were truly lost and not just calling for a close pickup, how would you be able to let them know your location?

Horizon does make the HX891BT which has full DSC and GPS including man overboard distress for about $250. To enable the DSC functionality, a MMSI must be entered. This are assigned to vessels, not individual radios which is the problem Nautilus ran into on their 1st gen Lifelines. In the USA, BoatUS issues MMSI numbers but they are for domestic use only. For international use, a FCC Handheld VHF Marine Radio license would be required.