Originally Posted by
jamottep
An update ...
I had filed a float plan with my wife with the wrong expected return time. She was expecting me at noon and I meant midnight. So as instructed she called the USCG. Around 4PM the USCG came on my handheld VHF to request a sharp lookout for my boat: I was quite surprised but let them know that all was good. My wife was really happy to see me! I'm sorry to have create such stress for her and USCG resources ... I've ordered chocolate boxes for the San Francisco and Monterey stations as well as for the Santa Cruz Harbor Master. Won't do this twice ...
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That’s a great story. Far better that she called the CG, as opposed to them calling her. That’s a mistake I made once.
Many years ago, sailing back to San Diego, with my then-10 year old son, after the first trip to Catalina Island on our own boat, the conditions turned light. As the sun went down I realized we would not make it back to SD in time for the flight home to Phoenix as planned. Well out of cell phone range, with no sat phone or SSB, I decided to hail the Coasties on the VHF and see if they would place a call to my wife to let her know we were fine, but would be in late. I placed the radio call; the radio man asked vessel name and CF number, and had me stand by while he made the phone call. Soon enough he reported back “message delivered.” It all seemed perfect, and I kicked back to enjoy the night ride back to the marina – proud of myself for my handling of the situation.
Unbeknownst to me, however, the phone call hadn’t gone all that well. My wife had already gone to bed, assuming we were fine and would be in late, not worried in the least. Awakened by the CG call, which began something like “Good evening mam, is your husband the owner of sailing vessel such and such, CF number blah blah blah?”, she flew into a panic. She jumped to the conclusion that the CG has found some flotsam with vessel name and number, and that her idiot husband and only child were lost at sea. Screaming was probably involved. I imagine the good CG operator did his best to convey the message, and end the call as quickly as possible. Her take-away from the call, however, was that we were almost back in port – while in fact we still had hours to go.
Cell phone rings as soon as we’re in range, and since she’s now been waiting hours for the call she thought was eminent, the panic has returned in full force. “WHERE ARE YOU? THEY SAID YOU’D BE RIGHT BACK?”
Something of an object lesson in communication relays.
Lee
s/v Morning Star
Valiant 32