Communication and Safety Preparations

VHF Radio

SSB Radio

Satellite Phone

Emergency Locator Beacon (PLB)

Communication, weather, and planning for the “what if’s” are important factors in preparation for any boat trip.  The all important VHF Radio is standard boating equipment and is used to communicate with other ships, pick up weather, and call the U.S. Coast Guard or the Mexican Navy (while in Mexican waters) in the case of an emergency.  In Mexico, however, there is no "National Weather Service" or government marine weather forecasts.  Instead, boaters need to rely on outside weather services, including individuals who broadcast weather conditions on a Single Side Band Radio (SSB) and/or by connecting to the NOAA weather services in the United States.  Therefore, boaters cruising in Mexico need a variety of additional communication devices in order to pick up weather information:   (1) an extended WiFi Internet connection, (2) a cell phone data connection (3) a satellite phone data connection, and/or (4) an SSB (single side-band radio).  To take advantage of these different options, Got d’ Fever now has a SSB Radio Receiver, a Satellite Phone, and an Extended WiFi Antenna.  The installation of the WiFi antenna extends the range for Internet connection to distant “hot spots” for email, weather, and blog postings.  In addition to the antenna, Leonard installed a "repeater" and "router" so the signal from distant "hot spots" is amplified on the boat bringing wireless Internet.  Our new satellite phone, similar to a cell phone, speaks directly to an overhead satellite; and like our cell phone, can be connected to the computer for Internet data connection.  And the SSB Radio can be tuned to certain radio frequencies for scheduled weather forecasts and for weather data maps that can be printed through a computer connection.  Carrying survival equipment is also an important part of coastal cruising.  In addition to the rib-dinghy as a life raft, we also carry “survival suits” and a “ditch bag” packed with drinking water, food, a hand-held VHF radio, and a personal locator beacon (PLB).  A personal locator beacon uses a set of satellites to determine a GPS location and is activated manually in the case of an emergency.  The PLB transmits a distress signal to search and rescue (SAR) organizations.