If you have no other choice, then call the coasties. Dont expect them to jump right up and help thou. The response is not at all what you might think. Call them if your in trouble. No need to worry about mayday, pan pan, or securitay, just call them and tell them what your problem is. They will issue a marine assistance brodcast and a nearby boater will most likely respond to your location. You do need to know where your at thou...GPS can save a lot of time looking. BTW the "waterproof" VHF and GPSs are not. Keep them sealed in a dry bag or pelican case.
Not to sound like Im slamming the coasties but what they can do and what they are allowed to do are two different things. Do not expect them to respond like a typical 911 call on land. It seldom happens.
Not to sound like Im slamming the coasties but what they can do and what they are allowed to do are two different things. Do not expect them to respond like a typical 911 call on land. It seldom happens.