[eightwt]

I'm a retired forester. My last work location was the Black Hills of S. Dakota and Wyoming. Duties required that I work in many remote and rugged topography with mostly sparse cell coverage. Included was harsh winter weather. I was starting to think about those emergency locators, but never purchased one. Due any of you have one on board and if so what do you have?

 

[jmrodandgun]

Garmin inReach

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/561269#additional

 

[Gmullek]

I carry an ACR ResQLink PLB in my inflatable life jacket that I pretty much wear all the time. I had a close call a few years ago where I fell out of my boat while it was in gear (boat left me) and I had to float / swim over 2 miles to the nearest water I could stand in until I was picked up by the sheriff's flotilla. I was in the water about 4 hours in about a 2 ft chop. Happened in the MS Sound in Alabama. My wife was 6 months pregnant at the time and it gave us all a good scare. That day changed how I view safety gear when boating.

Check out the ACR website. They have a section where testimonials are posted. Some of the rescue stories are pretty amazing.

 

[dranrab]

I have an ACR ResQlink + floating PLB. At $280 it's a drop in the bucket of total boating costs.

 

[Gmullek]

I have an ACR ResQlink + floating PLB. At $280 it's a drop in the bucket of total boating costs.

agree....super cheap insurance if you ever need it.

 

[bryson]

The ACR ResQlink saved my life and the lives of 4 others a handful of years back. Goes with me anytime I'm on the water now. We were 70 miles east of Charleston when my boat sank completely, and were in the water for less than an hour thanks to the PLB and handheld VHF in my ditch bag.

A week later a different boat capsized (didn't sink) about 12 miles out of Charleston and they were afloat for 14 hours, to give people an idea of how hard it is to be seen out there.

 

[Water Bound]

Yep, ACR plb. They are well worth money

 

[crboggs]

I have an ACR ResQlink + floating PLB.

This. I don't run offshore without it.

 

[Dustin1]

I carry an ACR PLB and a Garmin InReach.

 

[Scrob]

My buddy brings is Garmin In Reach with us to the Glades each year. Since there's no cell service we use it to send texts and it tracks our movement and records them on an online map. Useful for checking later and others can log in and check realtime and watch where you are. I prefer to be off the grid but its nice to have

 

[krash]

After my last heart issue I been seriously thinking of getting something.... (I passed out and went dark for a few minutes, then could not move when I came to)... if that happened while I was fishing solo at least a PLB would help others find my remains.

A close friend who hikes/bikes and paddle's long adventures 10-day camping trips in the weeds carrries and swears by her ACR PLB.

 

[Skram]

This. I don't run offshore without it.

Same here. It’s cheaper than most reels and will save your life. Small too so you can take on anyone’s boat with you.

 

[flyclimber]

ACR PLB for me everytime we go on the boat. No VHF yet

 

[Micro Thinfisher]

ACR Resq-Link here too - use it offshore when running as I was almost thrown out of the Yellowfin one day, also use when solo hunting, kayaking. Check ACR’s website for survival stories - turns out differently w/o one.

 

[eightwt]

Thanks to all for your comments. The ResLink is a clear cut winner with Microskiffers. Will be checking in on one.

 

[lemaymiami]

Once again my son got me to wear a ResQlink when I'm operating solo. It's very carefully lanyarded to my belt and stays in my pocket whenever I'm on my own. It's a manual model (carefully registered and logged in - just renewed the registration...). Remember it's an EPIRB so don't let your kids fool around with it - the Coast Guard will get angry if it's a false alarm (and they can hit you with hefty fines if appropriate....).

What I particularly like about an EPIRB where I operate (the backcountry of the Everglades) is that within 20 minutes of activation you stand a pretty good chance of having that big orange and white chopper on top of you - anywhere in the backcountry - no matter how far from the ramp you are (and many days we might be more than 30 miles in...). Pretty handy if someone on board has had a heart attack or other medical emergency. Even handier if you're in the water and your skiff has either motored or drifted away from you....

 

[krustykrab]

Another ACR ResQLink user here.

 

[jlindsley]

Garmin inreach! (previously delorme). This unit is awesome and costs about 10-15 a month depending on your plan. I use offshore, during hurricanes, remote hikes etc. Best thing is that you can text and receive return texts (nice to be able to check in with family if motor goes down or kids get sick etc..) Another nice thing is that if you do have an issue you get a response instead of looking at a blinking light saying it called coastguard

 

[schwaggen01]

I carry a SPOT messenger- After six years, just used it for the first time after suffering a mechanical issue deep in the backcountry- The good news is, it works. Wife got a text, sent a buddy out to get me. I have the old Spot, which has three buttons- an "Everything is OK" button, a "Nobody's hurt, but need assistance" button (the one I pushed) and then a "911" button, which sends to first responders. The BAD news about the old Spot is, it's one-way - you have no idea if anyone got the message. I know they have a new model, which allows texting (similar to the Garmin) with I will upgrade to. The other good functionality is you can allow others to virtually track you via Google Earth via a private URL.

 

[jimsmicro]

In the winter time minutes count. It doesn't take water much under 70 degrees to make you go hypothermic within a few hours. I see a major utility in areas where there's no cell service or if you're venturing far from shore. With that said I rarely fish water deeper than I can stand and usually have cell service, otherwise I guess I'd probably have one or a satellite phone.