As one sails east down the coast of Maine, conventional communication options may start to decline as cellphone reception and WiFi connections may become spotty or non-existent. Coverage is generally decent close to the coast but decreases the further one travels offshore or downeast.
In the last two years the Starlink satellite communication system has revolutionized coastal and offshore communication.
It is now possible to have high speed internet communication on even the smallest of boats in the most remote areas. One can connect a computer or cell phone to Starlink Mini’s WiFi network and have fast and reliable connectivity. The Starlink Mini is approximately one foot square and one inch thick with a built in WiFi router. There are a variety of third party mounts available and an inexpensive 12V to 30V converter is essential for operation off your 12V house bank. Current hardware pricing ranges from $229-$350. There are two data plans available for operation within 12 miles of the coast: Roam 50 at $50 month and Roam Unlimited at $165 a month for unlimited data. Please consult the Starlink site for the latest price information.
If you need to speak with the Coast Guard for any reason, cellular is certainly an option. Put 206-815-7220 in your speed dial and it will connect you to USCG Sector Northern New England, or Station Rockland by selecting numeric options. The 206 area code is NOT a typo!
If one wishes to rely on cell phone coverage, you may enhance cellphone coverage with a signal booster. For example waveform.com/pages/cell-phone-signal-booster-guide might help, but a cellular dead zone can be impenetrable.
Given occasional cellphone limitations, marine VHF radio remains important as a reliable communications tool. There are two advantages to VHF versus cellular as a method to reaching out to the Coast Guard. First, all vessels within range will hear your call and may be able to render assistance faster than the Coast Guard. Second, the Coast Guard can get an approximate bearing on your location within 3 seconds of your call on VHF channel 16. Remember it is still essential to communicate your lat/lon position to the Coast Guard to give precise confirmation of your location.
It is essential to become familiar with the potential DSC VHF radios have to offer for both communications and safety.
At least two people on board should know how to use the VHF. Having emergency VHF radio scripts at hand is helpful. Many modern chart plotters have emergency VHF scripts available at the push of the SOS or Emergency button. There are likely to be many boats close to you that could respond quickly to an emergency.
All VHF radios should have an MMSI number programmed into the radio and a connection to a GPS unit. The MMSI number is required to take full advantage of the USCG Rescue 21 System. Rescue 21 turns the emergency button on your DSC VHF radio into a near-shore quasi-EPIRB system, with a faster response from the USCG than an EPIRB. When you push and hold the Distress button (check your manual as every radio is different) on your VHF, it sends out a signal to every boat within a range that is automatically relayed until it hits a USCG shore station. The distress signal will continue to be sent automatically until the USCG responds on channel 16.
MMSI numbers can be sourced from Boat US for $25 via boatus.com/products-and-services/membership/mmsi, or from the FCC for a fee of $100 for those boats sailing internationally where a Ship Station callsign and MMSI number are also required.
Practice using the DSC functions on your VHF with a friendly boat. CCA member Charles Starke has written some very informative articles on the use of DSC, some of which are freely available on the CCA website: cruisingclub.org/communications/dsc-groups
The Group Call function can be helpful for club cruises or ad hoc groups of cruisers.
Foghorns within a half-mile of your position can be activated on demand by VHF radio. Switch to channel 83A and key your mic five times to active fog signals.
Here are two attachments that we suggest you review as reminders for anyone using a VHF/DSC radio: