Fishing
Charter guides, the San Diego bluefin comeback, deep-sea trips off Panama City and the offshore communication question underneath all of it: once you are past VHF range, how does the boat call for help, check the weather or tell someone you are running late?
A handheld satellite phone in a dry bag is the simplest answer for a day boat. Serious offshore boats add a fixed terminal for data and a GMDSS-grade distress path. The posts here explain the options in fishing terms rather than in acronyms.
Handsets are at Satellite Phones, marine terminals at Satellite Internet, and rentals cover a single trip.
Fishing questions, answered
Does a satellite phone work on the water?
Yes, with open sky above it. Keep it above deck or at a hatch when you call, and keep it in a waterproof case; most handsets are splash-rated, not submersible.
Which network for offshore fishing?
Iridium covers every ocean including the poles; Inmarsat covers everything except the far polar regions. Off the US and Mexican coasts either works.
Do I need an EPIRB as well?
For genuine offshore work, yes. An EPIRB is the registered distress beacon rescue services listen for; a satellite phone is how you talk to them.
-
March 13, 2023
-
September 06, 2020
-
August 14, 2019