For solo sailors - worried spouse?

This is why his wife worries so much......fell off the radar lol
I'm still here. Thank you for all the responses. My wife has read them and found them reassuring. Partly because I've taken her concerns seriously. I head to the boat tomorrow and will be gone for 2 months. But it's not as if I'm off the grid. She can still keep track of my whereabouts online.
 
I'd be wary of Marine Traffic, as helpful as it can be. A couple of years ago I brought my boat back from Roscoff to Falmouth solo, my partner was tracking me on Marine traffic. As I approached the shipping lanes I apparently disappeared off Marine traffic whilst weaving my way among several ships and with a fair number of fishing boats meandering about trawling at 2 - 3 knots.
She hung on for a while but I didn't reappear and after an hour or so panicked and rang the coastguard at Lee on Solent who contacted Falmouth coastguard. Shortly after my VHF went off with a call from a nice man from Falmouth ( I think in part he was bored, it was 0300 or so...) who enquired after my health as he related the chain of events having assured my partner during an earlier phone call that he could see me.
All very helpful enabling her to finally go to sleep !
 
I'd be wary of Marine Traffic, as helpful as it can be. .....
I treat my wife as the intelligent informed person she is.
I have explained how Marine Traffic works and how it is reliant on shore based (often amateur) stations being around to pick up signals, hence often gaps when further offshore or in remote locations.
A very useful resource but she knows it has gaps and that is normal.

The other thing I try to do is message BEFORE going into remote/ rocky anchorages. Generally good mobile reception in open waters, but less so surrounded by cliffs which provide good shelter.
 
I have a box on top of my battery called Trutrak. I can log in and see where my boat is and the see the battery volts. Last year my girlfiend lost my position for a short time about half way to the Isle of man.
If my boat sunk I guess you would be able to see the spot where it is for a short time. Cheaper than ais.
 
I have a box on top of my battery called Trutrak. I can log in and see where my boat is and the see the battery volts. Last year my girlfiend lost my position for a short time about half way to the Isle of man.
If my boat sunk I guess you would be able to see the spot where it is for a short time. Cheaper than ais.
 

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As I get older (recently retired) my wife is getting more and more concerned about "Suppose something goes wrong. How will I know?"
I normally sail alone. My response is usually short with "You'll find out eventually one way or another." But she is deserving of a better, more informed reply.
So what do people do? Do you have any plans in place? Lack of contact etc? Something that perhaps I should be doing and keep her a little less worried.
Thoughts? Ideas?
Make sure she knows the passwords on you bank accounts and where all financial documents are located. At least that way, you wont have to worry about her dealing with things if you do meet your maker afloat.
 
I have a box on top of my battery called Trutrak. I can log in and see where my boat is and the see the battery volts. Last year my girlfiend lost my position for a short time about half way to the Isle of man.
If my boat sunk I guess you would be able to see the spot where it is for a short time. Cheaper than ais.
I used to use something similar as a tracker in my classic car as it had geofencing etc.

It still relies on the mobile network (which is why you disappeared mid crossing) and some form of sim card data subscription.

An AIS transmitter or transceiver makes you visible to other vessels, coastguard etc so equipped and therefore adds a big layer of safety.
 
I used to use something similar as a tracker in my classic car as it had geofencing etc.

It still relies on the mobile network (which is why you disappeared mid crossing) and some form of sim card data subscription.

An AIS transmitter or transceiver makes you visible to other vessels, coastguard etc so equipped and therefore adds a big layer of safety.
The geofence was the main reason I purchased the tracker. If it ever left its mooring I get a text nessage instantly. I do have an ais receiver but can see the advantage of full ais for sure.
 
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