I have lived through this in our Newport, Bermuda race involvement and I simply do not agree that a phone is a suitable replacement for radio during an emergency. I understand that both technologies have their weaknesses but I have had far too many instances of dropped calls and simply no service with a satellite phone to want one as my only lifeline.
Of course, listening to your average US Coast Guard VHF radio announcement I am certain that their objective must be to convince anyone listening that radio is obsolete as a way to communicate. I especially love the high pitched female Coasties who speak as fast as possible making the safety announcements all but unintelligible.
OK, I am done ranting...
I still do not want a phone as my only back up!
Bruce