I have to reach a boat on its way to Australia. They recently left Florida, without a satellite phone. I have complete description of the boat. The only thing I know they dont have is a satellite phone. What are my best options?
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Ham radio
14.300 MHz is the Maritime Net. There are plenty of hams on this board. I am one but do not have an active rig. Maybe one of the other hams here who are active on HF can help you. That is assuming the boat you are trying to contact has a ham rig.
Good luck
14.300 MHz is the Maritime Net. There are plenty of hams on this board. I am one but do not have an active rig. Maybe one of the other hams here who are active on HF can help you. That is assuming the boat you are trying to contact has a ham rig.
Good luck
If you know their route you can send letters
to the port authorities at their likely stops. A cover letter to the port authority and a second sealed letter to your friends all in the same envelope. You could send a "BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR" message to the cyber cafes` along their route.
When Lyn and Larry Pardey leave port they delight in being completely out of touch with the world until their next port stop.
to the port authorities at their likely stops. A cover letter to the port authority and a second sealed letter to your friends all in the same envelope. You could send a "BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR" message to the cyber cafes` along their route.
When Lyn and Larry Pardey leave port they delight in being completely out of touch with the world until their next port stop.
Obvious question is.....
Do we need to call "the Psychic Hotline" to get a name of boat, owner and the party you are trying to contact? This means your best options are the obvious.
Tony B
Do we need to call "the Psychic Hotline" to get a name of boat, owner and the party you are trying to contact? This means your best options are the obvious.
Tony B
Well now, let's respect her privacy
You know, she may not want to post all of that here.
Tony B; how'd your platform survive the storm?
You know, she may not want to post all of that here.
Tony B; how'd your platform survive the storm?
Phil; privacy isn't the issue.
if we knew the nature of the need, we might be able to better help her.
if we knew the nature of the need, we might be able to better help her.
Phil
Sorry to sound so sarcastic, but If I was looking for someone, I would give all of the info I had.
Anyway, the last platform I was working on was for Murphy Oil and it looks like it took a direct hit. I wont know much till tomorrow, but I suspect that it made it through with just minor damage. Things like antennas are probably gone as well as the lower stairwell and boat landings. Most of the newer platforms can handle quite a beating. Katrina and Rita were more than some could handle, but this one was no where as intense.
Thanks for asking.
Tony B
Sorry to sound so sarcastic, but If I was looking for someone, I would give all of the info I had.
Anyway, the last platform I was working on was for Murphy Oil and it looks like it took a direct hit. I wont know much till tomorrow, but I suspect that it made it through with just minor damage. Things like antennas are probably gone as well as the lower stairwell and boat landings. Most of the newer platforms can handle quite a beating. Katrina and Rita were more than some could handle, but this one was no where as intense.
Thanks for asking.
Tony B
Jim and Tony
I agree, the nature of need is important. And I have no issue with sarcasm... in fact, my wife just saw a tin sign she was threatening to get for me that says "National Sarcasm Society" ... then below it in smaller type, "Like we need your support."
I'm probably being overly sensitive to this but I can imagine circumstances where you might want to get in touch with a boat in transit, but not post details that will be in the Google index forever. But yeah, 9 times out of 10 that probably wouldn't be the case.
I agree, the nature of need is important. And I have no issue with sarcasm... in fact, my wife just saw a tin sign she was threatening to get for me that says "National Sarcasm Society" ... then below it in smaller type, "Like we need your support."
I'm probably being overly sensitive to this but I can imagine circumstances where you might want to get in touch with a boat in transit, but not post details that will be in the Google index forever. But yeah, 9 times out of 10 that probably wouldn't be the case.
check the tent
sorry to be obscure with the title, but my first job was as a counselor at a Boy Scout Ranch, where we received extensive training to do the obvious. For example, we were told that when a scout was lost, the first thing to do was check the kid's tent. And half the time, sure enough, the "lost" scout would be found fast asleep inside his tent.
So, the obvious thing you should do first is to google the boat's name. Half the cruisers out there these days are keeping blogs so that friends and family can monitor the vessel's progress.
Almost every cruiser has someone back home who collects mail and pays bills on a monthly basis. This is usually a close friend or family member. So, the second obvious thing would be to check with the cruiser's parents or children, as the case may be.
If the need is not urgent, and the cruiser left no apparent way--such as a blog--to be contacted, I'd suggest you NOT post the vessel name here. I suspect that most cruisers would resent this invasion of their privacy.
sorry to be obscure with the title, but my first job was as a counselor at a Boy Scout Ranch, where we received extensive training to do the obvious. For example, we were told that when a scout was lost, the first thing to do was check the kid's tent. And half the time, sure enough, the "lost" scout would be found fast asleep inside his tent.
So, the obvious thing you should do first is to google the boat's name. Half the cruisers out there these days are keeping blogs so that friends and family can monitor the vessel's progress.
Almost every cruiser has someone back home who collects mail and pays bills on a monthly basis. This is usually a close friend or family member. So, the second obvious thing would be to check with the cruiser's parents or children, as the case may be.
If the need is not urgent, and the cruiser left no apparent way--such as a blog--to be contacted, I'd suggest you NOT post the vessel name here. I suspect that most cruisers would resent this invasion of their privacy.
I would suspect
If they left Fla and are headed to Australia that they would more than likely be transiting the panama canal. maybe contacting the authorities at the canal would be a way to contact them or possibly the American consulate there to be on the lookout for the particular vessel in question. A probable float plan would have been helpful.
If they left Fla and are headed to Australia that they would more than likely be transiting the panama canal. maybe contacting the authorities at the canal would be a way to contact them or possibly the American consulate there to be on the lookout for the particular vessel in question. A probable float plan would have been helpful.
CONTACT
Thanks to everyone who has left a response.
I am hesitant to post the name of the boat, it's not mine. I dont want to expose anyone. I realize it's obvious to have as much knowledge as possible for anyone to assist, but I was trying to figure it out as much as I can on my own without having to advertise their personal information or mine.
Here's the description though.
1975 35 foot Coronado, Hailing port Brisbane, Australia, the sail has the Australian Southern Cross, and stars. It originally left from Key West.
I'd rather not post the owner's name, once again, not mine, and private is private.
I really would rather not disclose the nature of the reason for contact, but it's nothing illegal or bad. I am certain he'd want the message. I do know him well enough to know that. Its also something I'm fairly sure my friend would want to know sooner than later.
Thanks to everyone who has left a response.
I am hesitant to post the name of the boat, it's not mine. I dont want to expose anyone. I realize it's obvious to have as much knowledge as possible for anyone to assist, but I was trying to figure it out as much as I can on my own without having to advertise their personal information or mine.
Here's the description though.
1975 35 foot Coronado, Hailing port Brisbane, Australia, the sail has the Australian Southern Cross, and stars. It originally left from Key West.
I'd rather not post the owner's name, once again, not mine, and private is private.
I really would rather not disclose the nature of the reason for contact, but it's nothing illegal or bad. I am certain he'd want the message. I do know him well enough to know that. Its also something I'm fairly sure my friend would want to know sooner than later.
Emergency contact by HAM Radio
go to http://www.arrl.org/
---> go to "public service" then ---> 'emergency communications, etc. follow the links, etc.
This will be the quickest and easiest way to get/send an emergency message IF your contact has an SSB (single side band) radio ... most long distance sailors do.
OR go to http://www.Emergency-Radio.org (www.emergency-radio.org) . for a direct connect, etc.
go to http://www.arrl.org/
---> go to "public service" then ---> 'emergency communications, etc. follow the links, etc.
This will be the quickest and easiest way to get/send an emergency message IF your contact has an SSB (single side band) radio ... most long distance sailors do.
OR go to http://www.Emergency-Radio.org (www.emergency-radio.org) . for a direct connect, etc.
Ham Radio 14.300
BrianD, I have used them and also assisted in relaying at times.
On long trips, they will post you on the internet on 'shiptrak' so those on land can actually see you on a chart and messages can be relayed.
HAM radio for cruisers should be a top priority on your list.
Tony B
KC5SDI
BrianD, I have used them and also assisted in relaying at times.
On long trips, they will post you on the internet on 'shiptrak' so those on land can actually see you on a chart and messages can be relayed.
HAM radio for cruisers should be a top priority on your list.
Tony B
KC5SDI
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