Nautilus Lifeline Work In Coz?

[tursiops]

I don't think they do unless we're talking about specially equipped coast guard planes.

I saw a video showing Nautilus Liveaboards (which lend a Nautilus radio to each of their divers) talking about how they'll put their helicopter up in the air with a VHF receiver hanging below for this purpose.

Not likely in Cozumel!

 

[rjack321]

Copied directly from their website:

"Works everywhere on the planet with all marine radios installed since June 1999 on ships, yachts, fishing boats, tugs and every other boat on the water"

I don't mind product limitations, I do mind being sold a false sense of security with misleading advertising.

It's accurate.

The problem is you're going to Mexico, a good chunk of the smaller dive pangas don't have a working radio at all. If you carried an InReach or PLB those signals have to go all the way up to the American response centers before getting relayed to the Mexican Navy - at some point they start looking for you.

Ps the general good news is the AIS is going to be turned on in any cruise ships and at a minimum they'll hear your Lifeline unless you're wayyyyyy out from line of sight with them.

 

[Russjstewart]

The Nautilus web site is incorrect. You can still buy VHF radios in Australia and New Zealand that do not have a DSC function.

As rjack321 pointed out there are a whole lot of places where charter dive boats don’t have radios. Chuuk and Bali come to mind.

 

[ggunn]

Copied directly from their website:

"Works everywhere on the planet with all marine radios installed since June 1999 on ships, yachts, fishing boats, tugs and every other boat on the water"

I don't mind product limitations, I do mind being sold a false sense of security with misleading advertising.

"... every other boat on the water"? Seriously? I doubt it.

 

[tursiops]

"... every other boat on the water"? Seriously? I doubt it.

Their marketing is overblown. They still insist on advertising 34 miles as a range. No f***ing way in any realistic scenario.

 

[ggunn]

I would think that while diving any of the sites south of town, especially in the morning when there are lots of boats out, the probability of a diver on the surface being misplaced for very long is pretty low. Worst to worst I guess you could swim to shore from many of the sites, but that might not be a great idea.

One of the DMs at Blue Angel told me a story about a buddy pair who suddenly were nowhere where he could see them on a dive on Villablanca. He looked for them but he couldn't find them. He called the dive, took the group up, and then the boat captain couldn't find them, either. Panic ensued until the dive shop radioed the boat to tell them that the "missing" divers were sitting by the pool having drinks. Seems that they decided to call the dive early, went to the surface, and swam to the BA dock.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

I would think that while diving any of the sites south of town, especially in the morning when there are lots of boats out, the probability of a diver on the surface being misplaced for very long is pretty low. Worst to worst I guess you could swim to shore from many of the sites, but that might not be a great idea.

One of the DMs at Blue Angel told me a story about a buddy pair who suddenly were nowhere where he could see them on a dive on Villablanca. He looked for them but he couldn't find them. He called the dive, took the group up, and then the boat captain couldn't find them, either. Panic ensued until the dive shop radioed the boat to tell them that the "missing" divers were sitting by the pool having drinks. Seems that they decided to call the dive early, went to the surface, and swam to the BA dock.

Wow! Was that couple ever allowed ti dive with BA again?

 

[ggunn]

Wow! Was that couple ever allowed ti dive with BA again?

I don't know, but I am certain that they at least got a stern talking to.

 

[JFS]

I would think that while diving any of the sites south of town, especially in the morning when there are lots of boats out, the probability of a diver on the surface being misplaced for very long is pretty low. Worst to worst I guess you could swim to shore from many of the sites, but that might not be a great idea.

One of the DMs at Blue Angel told me a story about a buddy pair who suddenly were nowhere where he could see them on a dive on Villablanca. He looked for them but he couldn't find them. He called the dive, took the group up, and then the boat captain couldn't find them, either. Panic ensued until the dive shop radioed the boat to tell them that the "missing" divers were sitting by the pool having drinks. Seems that they decided to call the dive early, went to the surface, and swam to the BA dock.

Ive been caught in some fast currents and when Ive come to the surface no boats around. I was able to call the boat on my radio as I could see them way in the distance and they may not be aware you are on the surface. Sometimes an smb is not enough. I remember about 6 years ago when my captain friend was out fishing several miles offshore and found 3 divers including divemaster from mainland, drifting out there. No smbs , nothing.... The boat they were on were clueless they were missing for 3 hours already..... I know several guides on Cozumel who are taking to my use of the horizon marine radio in a canister.

 

[schuylerclark]

Don't overlook the obvious - one of the BEST ways to make sure the boat doesn't forget you is to make friendly conversation with the captain and the DM on the way out, and then have a large SMB inflated if you surface away from the boat. Knowing a few words in spanish doesn't hurt either. It's hard to forget someone who makes a good impression. Bonus points for starting a juicy story just before the dive and leaving them hanging until you get back.