We were there when a friend had to wave off a Mexican navy aircraft.

Turns out his small EPIRB went off in his nav station drawer! He did not know it went off. Not only did the A/C fly over, they contacted him on VHF 16 and had him come on deck to talk to them to insure he and the boat was safe.

I was impressed.

I also helped in a rescue of a power boater who got lost and wend aground in a VERY remote area. He was calling on VHF for help. It took much longer for help to get to him than for the EPIRB. Might be that the EPIRB gets a LOT of attention and is worked by country to country but VHF only gets local support?????

Greg

Photo below, NO other boat or people within miles!