Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

[jim372]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

mmsi system seams to be a good idea to me , but since i have a older vhf raido and older gps/depth finder combo i would have to upgrade to newer
equ.
it may be thing to do since i want to take my reinell 2230 to lake erie and maybe go into ocean at Chincoteaque,va.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

i said no, but I plan to hook mine up someday. It's on the list. Right now, where I boat, there is lots of traffic, VHF reception everywhere, and warm water. But when I go back to night fishing in the fall/winter, I'll have it hooked up.

Everyone's boating situation is different so there is no "answer." For me, I'd pick "not essential but a good idea."

 

[thefox1051]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

I dont have one. I fish on a small state lake do you think there would be a need for one their?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

i said no, but I plan to hook mine up someday. It's on the list. Right now, where I boat, there is lots of traffic, VHF reception everywhere, and warm water. But when I go back to night fishing in the fall/winter, I'll have it hooked up.

Everyone's boating situation is different so there is no "answer." For me, I'd pick "not essential but a good idea."

I would rather hit a button and have all my information transmitted automatically and continuously so I could deal with the problem at hand rather than spend the time communicating the information manually in a situation where seconds could mean the difference between life and death.

Case in point, we had a situation during Wish a Fish ? Annapolis last year where a boat with a disabled child and his family onboard at was taking on water. One push of a button and the Captain was free to go back to dealing with the situation rather than standing at the helm calling May Day and reciting coordinates. Fortunately, there were several boats close by that picked up the call and they got the family off the boat and back to shore before the situation got serious.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

I agree with you that it is better to have it than not, including for the very good reasons you stated.
But I maintain that it is not essential in all boating applications, and since these posts are read by people trying to learn what they ought to do, need to do, might want to do, or shouldn't do, I wanted to suggest that aspect.

 

[skargo]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

Meh,
I looked at this thread as the title clearly states, "is it important to you" not is it an essential piece of boating equipment.

It IS important to ME

 

[skargo]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

Anyone else get one recently?

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

Even tho this is an old post, I can appreciate the reason you brought it to life again.

I agree that the VHF is a must have on board and having the MMSI number is a no brainer. It's free and can make a big difference in saving your life when you need it.

Inland boaters probably can't appreciate the value of the feature as they do not, generally, have someone who is standing by to save their lives 24/7.

Thank you Coast Guard.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

No MMSI number and no VHF radio. The lake I boat on is small and too remote for that equipment to really make any difference. I've never seen any DNR vessel on the lake. If the boat had issues, I would simple paddle to shore...its never more than 200 yards away.

If the boat sank, we'd simply swim in...its that narrow, but long...

We're also good lake neighbors and tow anyone in distress in.

I think you ocean/large lake/river guys have to have a completely different mindset than us small freshwater lake guys do...

Here's how wide 'my' lake is:

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Is having a MMSI number and a radio important to to you?

The thread does bring up an interesting question of who to contact in an emergency. Where I normally boat is about 100 miles inland so there is no coast guard available. I'm going to call the sheriffs department to see if they monitor VHS. I know that they visit the lakes occasionally so they may have some sort of monitoring. There are also some ranger stations nearby. Perhaps they monitor VHS as well. Can't imagine it being a great response time as they would need to take a boat to the lake and launch it first but you never know. Cell phone coverage is spotty on all the mountain lakes. On one of the lakes, you can't get coverage at the north end but can if you go a mile or 2 further down.