Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Boat Break-Downs

Weekend Pundit · 07-01-2007, 09:16 PM

Frankly, it's usually easier to use a VHF Marine radio, and you're more likely to find someone else on frequency that can help you in a pinch. A VHF handheld can be had for about $100 and can cover a pretty large area.

A cell phone can be virtually useless. If you see another boat and you need assistance, you're more likely to raise them on VHF 16....unless you happen to know their cell number!

For breakdowns I use TowBoat US.

A side story: Last year I lost the screw on my 20' cuddy runabout between Governor's Island and Dockham Shore. A call on channel 16 to TowBoat US had them on their way in a few minutes. I gave them my location as well as a direct route to me ("After crossing under the Governor's Island bridge take a heading of 150 magnetic. I'm approximately 1500 yards out on that heading.") Once the Tow Boat US tow vessel arrived the skipper told me that I was one of the few assistance calls he'd ever had that was able to give him an exact location. He didn't need to go looking for me.

The lesson? Make sure you know where you are when you're calling for assistance, whether you calling on VHF or a cell phone! I've listened to many assistance calls on the scanner while at home and too many of the folks calling for help had no idea where they were, or were too vague about their position.

07-01-2007, 09:16 PM	#9
Weekend Pundit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilford Posts: 347 Thanks: 26 Thanked 69 Times in 42 Posts	Don't Rely On The Cell Phone Frankly, it's usually easier to use a VHF Marine radio, and you're more likely to find someone else on frequency that can help you in a pinch. A VHF handheld can be had for about $100 and can cover a pretty large area. A cell phone can be virtually useless. If you see another boat and you need assistance, you're more likely to raise them on VHF 16....unless you happen to know their cell number! For breakdowns I use TowBoat US. A side story: Last year I lost the screw on my 20' cuddy runabout between Governor's Island and Dockham Shore. A call on channel 16 to TowBoat US had them on their way in a few minutes. I gave them my location as well as a direct route to me ("After crossing under the Governor's Island bridge take a heading of 150 magnetic. I'm approximately 1500 yards out on that heading.") Once the Tow Boat US tow vessel arrived the skipper told me that I was one of the few assistance calls he'd ever had that was able to give him an exact location. He didn't need to go looking for me. The lesson? Make sure you know where you are when you're calling for assistance, whether you calling on VHF or a cell phone! I've listened to many assistance calls on the scanner while at home and too many of the folks calling for help had no idea where they were, or were too vague about their position.