As anglers and boaters—and humans—we all suffer from some degree of denial syndrome. For instance, many of us, since we’re obviously experts, assume we’ll never experience a serious emergency on the water.

“That won’t happen to me,” we say.

“I won’t fall overboard.”

“My boat won’t capsize.”

“I won’t get injured.”

When these experiences happen to others, we quickly rationalize. We would never have put ourselves in that position. Right? Yet, we can’t control everything.

Yes, 99 times out of 100, we have an awesome day on the water. But we must acknowledge that slight chance that our best efforts might be overwhelmed by circumstance. This month, as we look forward to a spring and summer full of fun saltwater adventures and to National Safe Boating Week in May, let’s pledge to get serious about safety.

Attitude Adjustment

In 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard ran 15,000 national search-and-rescue cases (commercial and recreational) and saved 1,700 lives. According to the Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics, the number of boating accidents in 2018, saltwater and freshwater, numbered 4,145. While those numbers might seem a small percentage of all boaters and all trips, they’re not insignificant.

When you think about it, we have quite a few products that can help optimize our safety on the water, from personal flotation devices, whistles and strobes to VHF radios with digital selective calling, satphones and emergency beacons. For the purposes of this column, by its definition, I will focus on electronic devices—particularly those that can summon immediate help on the water.

“Safety is the thing you’ll put off till next year,” says Mikele D’Arcangelo, vice president of global marketing and product management for ACR Electronics. Some people think: “It’s just a bunch of money sitting in a ditch bag or on the console, unlike that rod I’ll use every time I go out.

Then suddenly, national attention is drawn to an offshore tragedy, and we’re left with “what if?”

Once you commit to being proactive, a first rule of thumb to remember is simple and universal: Be prepared, whether that means actually wearing your PFD, having digital selective calling properly set up, wearing a personal locator beacon or SEND device such as an inReach or SPOT, or placing your EPIRB in an accessible position.

Let’s Evaluate

Secondly, consider your vessel and your fishing habits: how far offshore you go, whether you fish at night, whether you fish alone, etc. That will help you choose from among tools such as EPIRBs, personal locator beacons, man-overboard systems, and satellite emergency notification devices.

You say, “Well, I have a cellphone and I don’t go that far offshore.” Or, “I have a satphone. I can call for help.” But cellphones drop calls, get wet, and they don’t channel directly to marine rescue agencies. Satphones can be more reliable, but again, they don’t immediately summon on-water help. Beacons, SENDs and DSC-enabled VHFs do. MOB systems immediately alert crew and in some cases, other nearby boaters.

As long as your boat is floating, has power, and you’re still mobile and on board, turn first to the VHF. If the boat loses power or, worse yet, sinks, a PLB or an EPIRB can transmit a distress signal through a satellite to COSPAS SARSAT, a global agency that can immediately direct help to your location.

An EPIRB floats right-side up and is designed to tether to your life jacket. A PLB floats but must be held upright to transmit, D’Arcangelo says. “I’d rather every boater have an EPIRB than a PLB,” he says.

EPIRBs cost more than PLBs—$400 to $550 compared with $290 to $350—and they’re registered to a vessel. PLBs are registered to a person, and should be worn by that person. EPIRBs should be mounted to the vessel where they can be easily accessed. Those that come with a release bracket float free if a vessel begins to submerge; they will automatically send a distress signal.

“I always advise boaters to activate their properly configured and registered DSC VHF any time they’re going to activate their EPIRB,” says Paul Barnard, USCG Recreational Boating Safety Specialist. “A boat three miles away might get the DSC alert and assist immediately where Coast Guard assistance could be an hour or more away, if the EPIRB alone is activated.”

An MOB device is worn by crewmembers. If someone falls overboard, the device sends a signal to a phone or tablet onboard. In some cases, the system can be set to activate the boat’s kill switch so the crewmember can swim back to the boat. An AIS MOB device sends an alert message to all local vessels equipped with AIS.

Multifunction Devices

A SEND unit—such as Garmin’s inReach or Globalstar’s SPOT models—costs $150 to $650 and emits an SOS message via satellite to GEOS, a private search and rescue agency, which is tapped into the Iridium satellite system. Many SEND models now offer two-way messaging so that the victim and rescuers stay in touch.

Those units also offer a wide variety of services including preset messaging, so you can alert a loved one when you have left the dock and when you have returned, for instance. However, SEND units require a monthly subscription fee ($11.95 to $64.65); beacons do not.

Garmin’s inReach Mini also connects to a Garmin plotter or a quatix watch. The company’s new 86sci handheld GPS comes with embedded nautical charts as well as inReach capabilities.

“From the time of the incident, after you’ve pressed and held SOS, the unit sends your location every minute for 10 minutes,” says Chip Noble, inReach product manager. “When they receive it, within minutes, search and rescue responds to that user. The inReach allows two-way delivery confirmation.”

Read Next: Fish Safely with Redundant Electronic Safety Gear

Depending upon the model, battery life ranges from 35 to 90 hours; the units are rechargeable and they alert users when battery life has dropped to 25 percent.

The bottom line: The marine-electronics industry has a device for your boat and your fishing habits. All you have to do is invest in your safety.

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Today — April 6 — is designated 406Day, according to ACR Electronics, a Florida company that makes emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and personal location or locator beacons (PLBs). Today, the company joins forces with a growing number of supporters and boating-safety partners to raise awareness about these 406 MHz emergency devices in this sixth annual observance.

The company, and its brands Ocean Signal and ARTEX, ask social-media posters to include #406Day18 when posting to share advice and experiences and to thank rescue authorities of to celebrate a life saved.

“406Day has grown from a photo share contest to being a real community builder in the industry,” says Nichole Kalil, ACR Electronics public affairs and media manager. “I look forward to seeing this concept grow in the Outdoors and Aviation industries as 406 technology is just as pertinent for their safety needs.”

EPIRBs, PLBs and ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters for aviation) operate on a frequency of 406 MHz and transmit a unique digital code that identifies it and allows registration data about the vessel/craft and its owner to be associated with the device. ACR offers the following advice to beacon owners:

• Check the battery expiration date.
• Update your beacon registration.
• Ensure your beacon is properly mounted.
• Test your beacon.

Florida boat owners are reminded that they qualify for the Beacon Bill discount.

For more information, check out the SurvivorClub and ACR’s website.

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Human personalities might be quantifiable as Type A or Type B. But in the marine world, I’ve seen two different kinds of boaters: Type D and Type P.

Type D for denial: “No emergency will ever befall me. I’ve got everything under control.”

Type P for paranoia: “I can’t go out in 2- to 4-foot seas! Let’s wait till summer, when it’s calm.”

I hope most of us don’t exhibit those extremes. But chances are, we each lean one way or the other. I’m a little closer to a P than a D, meaning I believe in preparing, and I believe in backups — in the form of electronic safety gear, such as VHF radios, EPIRBs, PLBs, AIS SARTs, sat phones, satellite emergency notification devices and single-sideband radios.

Primary Marine Safety Gear

I own a 22-foot bay boat, so I don’t venture into rough seas. But I also fish aboard a variety of other vessels that might or might not be fully equipped. I carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) and wear it on my belt. Sometimes I’ve been known to carry a spare handheld VHF. Remember, I’m kind of a Type (almost) P.

Smaller vessels that stay within sight of shore, including kayaks and paddleboards, must obey the U.S. Coast Guard rules as well as those of their individual states when it comes to life jackets, flares and other signaling devices. But to my knowledge, none of those regulations stipulates any electronic-gear requirements for recreational boaters.

The U.S. Coast Guard does help educate boaters about proper use of ­electronics, including how to test a VHF’s digital-selective-calling (DSC) feature and how to make an actual distress call. Tom Dardis, Coast Guard recreational boating safety outreach coordinator, says boaters should always consider their ability to communicate with other boats and their ability to activate a come-and-help-me scenario.

“We’d always recommend that you carry some type of communication, such as a DSC VHF radio,” Dardis says. “A DSC VHF would be first. A PLB or EPIRB would be secondary. A sat phone could be secondary or tertiary. Having redundant systems is good if you can afford it.”

Vessels too small to mount a stationary VHF should at least be equipped with a handheld VHF. All maritime radios must be DSC-enabled by law (as of 1999). DSC is a kind of paging system that transmits your position and vessel information to emergency personnel.

Fixed-mount radios can transmit up to 20 miles, though that’s dependent upon VHF antenna height. Handhelds can transmit up to 8 miles.

Cellphones do not substitute for VHF communication. Cellphone range is limited and sporadic, and you can’t directly connect to the maritime rescue system. That can mean the difference between rescue and tragedy.

EPIRB Options

Many small-boat owners stop at just a proper VHF. But some industry leaders say that’s not enough. “I’m not at all flexible regarding a beacon,” says Nichole Kalil, public relations spokesperson for ACR Electronics. Kalil points out that prices on ACR’s EPIRBs have come down; a GlobalFix V4 costs $350. “Recreational boaters are willing to spend $500 on a cooler but not $350 to keep their family safe?”

A vessel’s size will mandate the type of EPIRB bracket to buy and its location on board. An EPIRB should always be mounted within arm’s reach, and never belowdecks or inside a console.

One key factor to remember, says Dardis: An EPIRB is for the vessel; a PLB is for a person. “If you’re going with PLBs and you have four people aboard, you should have four PLBs,” he says.

A PLB — available with or without GPS (the latter provides better accuracy to rescuers) — should be worn on your person if you expect it to summon help. If it’s in a gear bag that sinks with the vessel, it’s an expensive paperweight. Some life-jacket makers now sew in PLB pouches, and some PLBs come with hook-and-loop fasteners to attach to a belt or strap.

Electronic Safety Gear Deployment

A PLB — available with or without GPS (the latter provides better accuracy to rescuers) — should be worn on your person if you expect it to summon help. If it’s in a gear bag that sinks with the vessel, it’s an expensive paperweight. Some life-jacket makers now sew in PLB pouches, and some PLBs come with hook-and-loop fasteners to attach to a belt or strap.

PLBs must be manually deployed, but some EPIRBs can automatically deploy. Top-of-the-line EPIRBs, such as the GlobalFix iPro, come with a digital face so users can visually verify that it’s testing or transmitting. The unit also displays latitude and longitude.

AIS SARTs (search and rescue transponders) remain popular on the sailing circuit, where crew members face the frequent risk of falling overboard. The SART emits a signal recognized by the AIS unit aboard the crew member’s own boat and aboard any other AIS-equipped vessels nearby. But that’s a local approach to rescue rather than a global one.

Satellite Safety at Sea

Satellite phones have come a long way, and their prices continue to drop as more and more companies launch satellites to compete in this global market. Some say sat phones render single-sideband radio obsolete. But SSB users argue that their technology allows multiple people to hear any given transmission. Single-sidebands do require users to procure some permits and licenses, however.

With regard to safety, a sat phone should really be considered a global cellphone on steroids. Most provide some form of SOS system, though it might not link directly and most ­efficiently to maritime responders.

SENDs — satellite emergency ­notification devices, also called satellite messengers — include products such as Globalstar’s Spot and Garmin’s inReach Explorer+. These units provide a wide variety of services, from social-media posting to location tracking and text messaging.

Users can also request emergency help through a SEND. Responders come from a private organization rather than through the international government system used by EPIRBs and PLBs. These SEND units generally cost very little but require a monthly or yearly ­subscription, based on features.

Whatever electronic gear you decide works best for your boat and fishing needs, don’t scrimp. With regard to safety, I take a no-chance policy. To me, every safety measure needs a backup. But then again, I’m getting closer all the time to a Type P boater.

The post Fish Safely with Redundant Electronic Safety Gear appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

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There’s a saying: “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” Nowhere is this more apropos than when you’re fishing on a boat. Prudent seamanship and respect for weather and water, combined with a craft that’s seaworthy and well maintained, represent key safety factors in fishing afloat.

Having the right safety gear also ranks high, but just as important is the ability to access all of the equipment in a hurry. When a boating situation turns bad, it often does so with surprising speed, be it swamping, sinking, fire or hard grounding in heavy seas. That is why astute captains pre-assemble a ditch bag (aka abandon-ship bag) with their emergency supplies — such as a VHF radio, lights and a signaling beacon — all in one place. If the time ever comes to abandon ship, the last thing you need to worry about is collecting what to take with you.

Build Your Ditch Bag Right

Purpose-built ditch bags from companies such as ACR and UST Marine offer major advantages in emergency situations. For example, the RapidDitch bag and the smaller RapidDitch Express bag from ACR offer built-in buoyancy. They float even when full of equipment — a distinct advantage in an abandon-ship situation.

These survival bags are constructed with rugged, water-resistant, yellow high-visibility material and feature a large reflective stripe to help improve the chances that rescuers can locate you.

“These bags also have a tethering system,” says Nichole Kalil, public-relations and media manager for ACR. “The shoulder strap unhooks and becomes a pair of 4-foot safety harnesses to clip to your life jackets to keep everyone together while in the water.” The tether also keeps the ditch bag from drifting away.

Purpose-built ditch bags have dedicated storage pockets, often with bold labeling to minimize rummaging with numb or shaky hands while accessing gear in an emergency.

Avoid stashing the ditch bag in a dank locker. It should be immediately accessible in an emergency, even if it gets in the way once in a while.

Essential Ditch-Bag Item: Waterproof Hand-Held VHF Radio

Waterproof Hand-Held VHF radios such as the Icom M93D or Standard Horizon’s new HX870 are not only waterproof, but they also float. They have a built-in GPS, allowing you to transmit a DSC distress call with your position to rescue agencies and nearby vessels. You can also voice-broadcast a mayday. Pack extra batteries too.

Essential Ditch-Bag Item: Strobe

Make sure a you include flashing strobes such as the ACR Firefly Pro Waterbug, which activates with water contact and help rescuers pinpoint individuals, especially at night. Attach one to each life jacket. Also include in your ditch bag a marine floating flashlight such as the ACR 1916 Firefly Plus Strobe Flashlight Combo, which provides a source of illumination for you and the crew at night.

Essential Ditch-Bag Item: EPIRB

Include in your ditch bag a manually activated Cat II Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) such as the ACR Global Fix Pro, which uplinks to an NOAA satellite to alert rescue agencies to your position. Place this in a pocket on the outside of the bag so the antenna has a clear view of the sky.

Essential Ditch-Bag Item: Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

A floating Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) such as the ACR ResQLink+ is designed to broadcast the position of individuals, so one should be attached to each life jacket. Also include in your ditch bag a generous number of U.S. Coast Guard-approved signal flares. These are also required equipment for your vessel. Put a set in your ditch bag to alert nearby mariners to your emergency. Exercise caution when using flare guns or meteor flares. With hand-held flares, be careful that slag doesn’t drip on a life raft, causing it to lose buoyancy.

Additional Essential Safety Items

Additional items in your ditch bag should include a signal mirror such as the ACR Hot Shot signal mirror or a similar product to alert distant vessels to your position during the day.

Other items to include in your ditch bag:

• Whistles: A sound-producing device such as the Seachoice Jet Scream ($4.29) whistle helps attract rescue personnel when visibility is poor. Attach one to each life jacket.
• Rope: Twenty feet of 3/8‑inch floating poly line helps keep the crew together if there’s no life raft.
• First-Aid Kit: Make sure it includes essential prescriptions, as well as sunscreen and seasick medications.
• Folding Knife: A blunt-point serrated knife is less likely to puncture a life raft, but will cut lines and bandages if necessary. Surgical scissors can do the same.
• Drinking Water: The farther offshore you venture, the longer you are likely to wait for rescue. Provision your ditch bag accordingly.
• Energy Bars: Not many foods feature the shelf life or proportionate calories of energy bars. As with water, provision accordingly.
• Cash: This and copy of your passport in a waterproof bag may help get you back in the United States from foreign waters.

What About Lifejackets?

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