Boat Safety -- Small craft bay fishing

[lordsfisher]

Advice please:

I'm going to start taking my 9 year old daughter out fishing with me from St. Marks. I stay within 2 miles of the ramp and as close to land as possible without hitting rocks or oysterbards. My boat is a small boston whaler and I carry all the standard coast guard equipment, extra fuel, trolling motor, compass, GPS, and spare prop. I want to be prepared for a motor failure.

Do you think my verizon cell phone will work down there? Or am I crazy for not having a marine radio?
Do you think I should sign up for SeaTow or will boaters willingly come to my aid if necessary?

Thanks for your consideration.

[bubbatoy]

sea tow is cheap 1 tow will cost you 5 years of membership . vhf will cost you $100 I would not go if my radio did not work or if my membership was not active .a buddy of mine got pulled in form dog island to lanark and cost him $550. To me its cheap ins .

[Dubble Trubble]

+1 for the radio. It could save your, or even more precious, you daughter's life one day.


Dubble

[WaltDawg]

My verizon cell phone works down there. It sounds like your well prepared as far as safety goes except for the radio. If you're staying inshore, I'm sure you will see folks that could help you if you get in trouble, but the radio could keep you in touch with people in the area as well as the CG or seatow.

[lordsfisher]

Makes good sense. I'm going to bite the bullet on seatow and the radio.

Any advice/recommendations on handheld radios?

Thanks for your time.

[Jumptrout51]

VHF radio #1.
SeaTow #2.
Cell phone #3.
North Florida Gulf Fishing Club for you and your daughter #4.(actually # 1).NFGFC members get SeaTow discounts.

[lordsfisher]

Discount?!! ... Meet your newest member then (as long membership is not based on looks). Thanks much.

[Dabbler]

Does Sea Tow membership cover the entire? Thanks for heads-up on discount.

[Flint River Pirate]

My Alltel phone works very well down that way. I also have a 5W handheld VHF radio in the boat that works like a champ. I wouldn't trust my handheld really far offshore, but it has always done the trick for me. I also like to share a float plan with someone and having a buddy boat is such a safe option.

[lordsfisher]

Thank you very much. This site is an incredible learning resource.

[MudDucker]

Cell phone is very unreliable in this area on the water. VHF is a must. I have sea tow. So far I've never used it, but it sure is nice to know it is there if I need it.

[Sir reel]

You've been given the best advice....if your ALWAYS planning on leaving from the Lighthouse pool, then you might not need a "float plan". But it's a very good idea to always make sure someone (family, etc.) knows where you will be starting out and the general area you will be active in. This gives folks a place to start looking should you become "over due". As far as cell phones, and VHF both are good. I've carried a tracfone and never had a problem with getting a signal.

[jsuber]

IF its too much trouble for a fixed mount VHF you can get a handheld relatively cheap.

[Charles]

Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Factor in a grace period for your return. Do not deviate from this plan without contacting that person.

It kind of helps if the person you gave your float plan to is not with you on the boat.

[tin can]

What Charles said. But you need to select someone that has some knowledge of the area you're going.

I tell my wife where I'm launching, and in which direction I'm headed, most every trip. Most times she says "OK, where's that?".