Any waterproof 5W+ radio is a good start. As an example, west marine have the following unit https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... ecordNum=2 The best of the best hand held radios also have GPS and likely DSC which allows you to "flip a button" to send out an automated distress call which will get everyone's attention. My boats chart plotter would alarm and come up with a big alert showing location if anyone close by activated their radio's Emergency DSC.Dave_5280 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 27, 2018 11:05 amfoilonfoil - which marine radio models would you recommend?
I also saw another reason for marine radio over cell phone: "You can only call one person with a cell phone. With a marine radio, you can call everyone in range. Those who hear your signal can home in on your exact location—unlike with a cell phone."
Purchase a radio drybag for it and stuff it down your wetsuit. I am a huge fan of the Icom radios... M72's and M73's as the battery seems to last forever while this unit is off.
For everyone suggesting anything other than a marine radio... In the USA and pretty much every other western country, marine radio is the primary means of emergency communication on the water. Coast Guard and every other vessel around you is monitoring Channel 16 all the time... Its a legal requirement of boat ownership. A quick call on channel 16 will get a local boat, Harbor Patrol, or Life Guards depending on where you are. Local boats will relay your request for help if you cannot talk to the Coast Guard directly You can communicate directly with any boat nearby.
EPIRB's, PLB's, Spots are for imminent death and they work via Satellite relay and require registration (PLB's/EPIRBS) or subscription (Spot). You will get a delayed but massive emergency response (helicopters) and the guarantee of ditching all your gear.