hynespa
Well-Known Member
- Jun 7, 2010
- 317
- Boat Info
- 2005 420 Sundancer
- Engines
- T-VD-8.1 S HO MerCruiser (T-420 hp)
I developed the attached emergency procedures with the idea that family / friends would know what to do if we had an emergency. I made it with an assumption that I was either overboard, medically incapacitated, injured, etc and they would have to know how to work the radio and relay our coordinates to responders.
One thing that struck me is how different GPS devices / apps report coordinates different. Some use degrees/minutes/seconds, while others use decimals or a hybrid. I don't know how often this causes confusion for the USCG or other first responders? At the beginning of each season I have the family practice reading GPS coordinates from each device and learning how to properly communicate them orally depending on how the device displays them. I laminated this on bright yellow card stock and keep it near the helm / radio whenever we are underway.
On the back I show both how to display GPS coordinates on various devices (including the iPhone) and where various emergency equipment is and go over it with the family at the beginning of the season.
Thank god we have not had to use in an actual emergency!!
FRONT SIDE:
BACK SIDE:
One thing that struck me is how different GPS devices / apps report coordinates different. Some use degrees/minutes/seconds, while others use decimals or a hybrid. I don't know how often this causes confusion for the USCG or other first responders? At the beginning of each season I have the family practice reading GPS coordinates from each device and learning how to properly communicate them orally depending on how the device displays them. I laminated this on bright yellow card stock and keep it near the helm / radio whenever we are underway.
On the back I show both how to display GPS coordinates on various devices (including the iPhone) and where various emergency equipment is and go over it with the family at the beginning of the season.
Thank god we have not had to use in an actual emergency!!
FRONT SIDE:
BACK SIDE: