Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Relying solely on a cellphone when boating, what’s the problem?

by Tasman Salter 4 Sep 2018 08:56 AEST 4 September 2018
Mobile phones are at best a back up communication device for a VHF radio © Coastguard Boating Education

My flatmate recently co-purchased a trailer sailer with her friend, a confident, self-taught sailor. She explained to me that her friend would actively operate the vessel and teach her sailing skills when they took the boat out.

I was impressed – but had my concerns. What happens if her friend should fall overboard or become otherwise incapacitated? If this scenario played out on the weekend, what would she to do to get the situation under control?

We established that, bearing in mind her current lack of skills, she might be unable to do anything to stop the progress of the boat, or turn around and pick him up if he fell overboard. She did say that there were two smartphones below deck to make quick contact with 111. She said her network has great coverage and her friend added they were rarely sailing very far from land. Calling 111 (or *500 for Coastguard) is absolutely the right thing to do in an on water emergency, but only if you have a cellphone coverage.

People generally believe that their phone is an essential tool should an emergency occur.

On land, this is a relatively safe assumption.

Top telco Vodafone claims to cover 98.5% “of places where Kiwis work and play” [click here for coverage map] with Spark not far behind.

But it’s important to put this statement in context, because it may mean that a network may cover considerably less than the total percentage of a given area, particularly when applied to a marine environment. In fact, a little investigation reveals both networks make it clear in the fine print that this degree of coverage is most relevant to areas where there is a reasonable sized population. I had to point out to my flatmate and her friend that the population is not typically concentrated on the water where they were likely to be sailing. How many people do you know who live out in the water? Factor this in and it is possible that there will be gaps in coverage.

So it is NOT a safe assumption that a cell phone can be solely relied upon in an emergency when sailing. Sure, great to have in a dry bag on the boat, but you’re really going to need something a little more robust, purpose built and with a longer range to get appropriate coverage on the water. It was actually the sailor who, at that point, suggested that a VHF radio would be a useful addition. I added this was well complemented by a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate, because unlike a smartphone, operators are required by law to be trained. It is important to know how to use this communication equipment in an appropriate and effective way, particularly in an emergency.

VHF radios are designed for the marine environment and are more robust than cell phones. Channel 16, the international calling and distress channel, is monitored around the clock. In addition, other mariners in the vicinity will hear distress calls broadcast over Channel 16 and may be able to render assistance. Urgent safety information and weather reports for boaters are also broadcast over marine band radio channels as an added bonus.

Weigh it up and it’s pretty clear the cellphone in a dry bag makes a great backup, particularly equipped with Coastguard’s new app, but it shouldn’t be your only communication device for a day on the water.

To my relief, my flatmate and her buddy decided to get a VHF radio and enrol in the Coastguard Boating Education online VHF course.

VHF Radios are available at all good marine supplies stores, but there’s currently a better way to get one! Coastguard Boating Education is running a promotion to win an Icom M25-EURO VHF Radio when you sign up for a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate before the 30th of September.

For full terms and to sign up to win, follow the link by clicking here

Related Articles

Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines. Posted today at 5:59 am
Readying for SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week
All competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun Whether you are sailing the largest boats in the fleet, such as 60 footers Awen and Samurai, or the smallest, like Guilty Pleasures X and Peow Peow, at 6.50 metres each, all competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun. Posted today at 5:04 am
OK Dinghy Europeans at Warnemünde day 2
Charlie Cumbley leads at the half-way stage Britain's Charlie Cumbley holds a two-point lead at the half-way stage of the 2025 OK Dinghy European Championship in Warnemünde, Germany, after two more races were held on Monday. Posted today at 4:14 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage. Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors. Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move. Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts. Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine. Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay. Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title. Posted on 7 Jul
Maritimo M50Sea Sure 2025Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350