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    Re: Lost at Sea with a sextant puzzle
    From: Brad Morris
    Date: 2019 Jun 24, 20:00 -0400
    Zane

    That is hitting the nail squarely on the head.  Number one priority is the EPIRB (or your PLB).  Second priority (in my view) is a handheld, waterproof VHF radio.  You are most likely to be rescued by those around you.  The EPIRB is narrow band radio, and will alert only SAR, but does come with worldwide coverage.  The VHF is broad band coverage for anyone around you with a VHF radio, monitoring channel 16, albeit limited to only a few NM.  Even SAR, when they get near, will appreciate being able to talk to you.

    A sextant?  Tables?  Charts?  Drawing instruments? Compass?  Time keeper?  Bah.  You aren't sailing that life raft anywhere.  None of that will save your life when the chips are down. If you carry that to raft, but left your EPIRB behind, there is only one word to describe you.  Fool. 

    Brad

    On Mon, Jun 24, 2019, 6:48 PM Zane Grey <NoReply_ZaneGrey@fer3.com> wrote:

    There is some irony in the fact that the sextant is rendered useless in this scenario by modern technology ie the liferaft. In the seventies it would not have been the case. We still had to do our survival training by rowing a great lump of a lifeboat about as a team very similar to the kind found on the Titanic... It could be fitted with sails. Though apparently we may be the last year to have too do this.

    Now a sextant and almanac would be very useful in this. Waiting next to your ships last known location is only really viable since GMDSS came around or if you were in a busy shipping corridor.

    I can also say, whoever came down from the bridge with the sextant and not either the almanac or the sight reduction tables would not be getting a space in my liferaft. Better to share their water ration among the worthy. Further to this, if you HAVE to go in the liferaft, there is only ONE thing you better have and thats the EPIRB! I will leave the food and water before I leave the EPIRB!!!!! That right there is your BEST chance of survival!!!!!!

       
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