Let’s get straight into this by stating that the best satellite phone for sailing must use the Iridium Network. Why? Because Iridium is the only satellite communications network that has global coverage. So I’m not even going to bother recommending phones that use other satellite networks such as Inmarsat or Globalstar. If this were an…
Yes, it is certainly worth getting if you are out at sea and having trouble acquiring a signal to reach out for help. While the usage of your sat phone, airtime, and data may cost more, having a direct line and GPS could mean the difference between life and death. Out at sea, a satellite…
There are channels for emergencies and urgent matters only, boater-hailing channels, working channels for relevant communications, ship-to-ship channels, port operation channels, and weather channels. These are further divided into channels used by commercial vessels and recreational vessels. Additionally, some channels are restricted and intended for use by the United States Coast Guard (USGC) only. With…
Many people fail to register their marine radios. One reason is that they don’t know how. So how do you register a marine VHF radio? Fortunately, registering your radio is a free and straightforward process. You just need to complete an online application. Once completed, you will get an MMSI number, and your radio will be…
You can use a satellite phone in the ocean. In fact, with a few exceptions, most sat phones can be used worldwide. The only factors which negatively affect the use of a satellite phone on the ocean are any geographical or artificial features, political influences, and system issues relating to the placement of the satellite…
What is the correct way of talking on a marine VHF radio? You must use the proper channel for the given situations, communications must follow protocol, and the right language and terminology must be used for every transmission. A key aspect of being at sea is safety. A VHF marine radio is a means of…