Pretty much every family has at one cell phone so having a cell phone on the boat is a no-brainer.
As to VHF, you can buy a handheld for less than $100. For the lake that will do. Anybody would be better off with one than without.
Personally when I broke down, I used my cell phone to call the boatus 800 number. They called the local guy, who called me when he was able to come get us.
This was a non-emergency situation, engine wouldn't start while floating in the Broads. In an emergency...OK I'm trying to think which I would do. I would dial 911, guaranteed successful connection. The VHF might get a response, might have to wait for the MP to realize what I said. Might be out of range, might get stepped on by some chucklehead, who knows.
Obviously any delay would send me to the backup. But today, with the coverage and the stability of the phone network, 911 would be first.
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