PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
We're not the USA, we have our own systems and procedures.In the good old USA, they have in place a marine type A.A. service You are expected to turn to them for a tow home in none life threatening situations.
We're not the USA, we have our own systems and procedures.In the good old USA, they have in place a marine type A.A. service You are expected to turn to them for a tow home in none life threatening situations.
You are right about the limited range of a handheld, particularly handheld to handheld, but I regularly get 8 miles (maybe more) from a handheld to a Coastguard aerial. On one occation I had 50 miles to a Coastguard aerial from my fixed vhf with masthead aerial, so yes, that is a much better option if possible..
Of course, a handheld radio has an incredibly short range when used on a small yacht, could be a little as 1 mile, or virtually nothing if conditions are bad. The sensible course is to have a fixed main VHF with a masthead antenna.
On the good old South Coast there is Sea Start.In the good old USA, they have in place a marine type A.A. service You are expected to turn to them for a tow home in none life threatening situations.