Kayaking Fog and current

Normal fog is not going to reduce your signal.  Freezing fog possibly but don't think anybody will be salt fishing in those conditions.

Normal fog is not going to reduce your signal.  Freezing fog possibly but don't think anybody will be salt fishing in those conditions.

You must not know me!   

I learned one very good lesson here.  I don't have a chart plotter but do have gps on my radio.  However, I didn't record key waypoints before going out, such as the buoys and the 101 bridge/bay channel.

Luckily when I asked over the radio if someone could give me the bell buoy coordinates a reply came back from someone right next to it.  Then I knew I could find it in the fog, and head directly east from there to get back.  GPS only works if you know how to us it.

Also, I'm going to have a second gps unit on me next time in case one fails.  Is anyone using one of the navigation apps on the iphone?  I found some good ones and could just get a drybag for my phone as the backup.  It looks like my iphone 4S uses gps in addition to cell towers for navigation, so it looks like it should work in the ocean.

I was thinking maybe Willbd radio was maybe set to low power tx.

Nine pages that has kept this PLANKTON reading, note taking, thinking and reading again. I am thankful for the outcome, the assistance provided on the water and the take home dialog and lessons learned. As a former Navy HM and now professional responsible for emergency management the value here is tremendous. Thank you all. I hope to meet you on the water, when I'm ready and you are ready for me to be around.

It could just be that Allen was in more of a direct line toward the Coast Guard antenna.

Is anyone using one of the navigation apps on the iphone?  I found some good ones and could just get a drybag for my phone as the backup.  It looks like my iphone 4S uses gps in addition to cell towers for navigation, so it looks like it should work in the ocean.

i would just make sure that the app works without a cell phone signal.

I keep ruminating on this. Bryan had my MMSI in his HX851 so I assume he had others programmed in as well as the NWKA Group MMSI. Bryan sent me a Pos Request which gave him my location (since my VHF was set to Auto reply). Had he sent this Pos Request to someone closer to the buoy it would have given him Range and Bearing data that would have been more useful in navigating home.

I made it clear that I didn't know how to use the DSC/GPS/NAV features of my unit. Had Bryan sent a Pos Report to me and someone who knew how to operate the HX851 given me a few instructions I would have been able to get Bryan's position on my VHF and likely been able to rendezvous with him. I accept full responsibility for my lack of preparation in using this vital tool.

Now that I have studied all the features of the HX851 if, in the future, I hear a similar exchange I think I could help get the two parties to see their relative positions. I would like to practice this next time I'm around some folks with DSC VHF radios.

As I stated previously, I used the FlyToMap GPS App on my iPhone and it worked great. It made tracking my course easy. Just looking at the map, tapping a target location and hitting "set as destination" was all I needed to know I was heading home and plot my track to see how wind and current were effecting my course.

First off, WOW, that was kinda hairy and I'm thrilled that nobody got dead or hurt. Y'all really handled up! 
Wonderfully useful thread!

About the only "new rule" that gives me pause is "Never go out without a partner second victim"

Last time I checked, there was only one seat in most kayaks and that's the number of people you can ultimately rely on in a tight. You are responsible for you.

 I've always thought that going off the coast is kayak fishing 200 (off your coast is at least 202) and that does not mean adding two 100 level fishermen to get to 200.

You need to, at the very least, know what you can do and how to use your gear before you leave shore.  Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not saying you have to go alone or you must ditch your bud a soon as you launch. Just that you need to be able to be totally self-reliant.

 So how do you get self-reliant?  You start by reading the instructions and then going out and playing with your toys in the water. But books and training is still not enuf.

I'm willing to bet anybody a nickel that Allen was not trained to drift along to maintain the same relative distance to willbd's problem transceiver. I'm pretty sure that came straight from between his ears.

But how'd it get there? How does one attain that level of enlightened preparedness? I dunno
How does one get from the bunny slopes to heli-skiing?
(Actually, that's a useful analogy because to go heli-sking all you'd need is a pair of ski's and to pay somebody to drop you from their helicopter. All you need to fish from a kayak is a boat, a hook, some line, and you can drop yourself off)
 How do you know what you don't know yet?

Regrettably, the best advice is also my least favorite truism. I had a welding instructor who's only instruction/criticism was
 time and practice.

Again, please don't take this as any personal criticism of anybody involved. You guys did the thing and did a damn fine job of it. Rock on with your bad selves.

But don't wait to get a nice binnacle mounted Ritchie compass. Go buy a $10 orienteering compass and bring it with you. (Go NOW!) Just don't put it next to a pair of pliers and it'll tell you which way the dirt is just fine. (assuming you know how to use it!)

But what do I know? I'm 5th quarter quarterbacking from a tub full of hot water in Clonmel.


Oh, and The Jade best look out! TXpaddler is vying hard for the Joe Frank in residence.

As I stated previously, I used the FlyToMap GPS App on my iPhone and it worked great. It made tracking my course easy. Just looking at the map, tapping a target location and hitting "set as destination" was all I needed to know I was heading home and plot my track to see how wind and current were effecting my course.

H-
Which one of the flyto aps were you using? they have 100 different ones.

But what do I know? I'm 5th quarter quarterbacking from a tub full of hot water in Clonmel.

Oh wali boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling....


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?ifmc0o

Glad I had a hand held compass when my ff/gps wouldn't work.  That, and a friend to hang out with.  Still the fog had a way of separating us, and it was always good to know which way was which.  That compass has been in my life jacket for a couple years, and it earned every bit of rent on that space.

I'm also glad everything turned out well and I can learn a good lesson.  The ocean teaches me something almost every time I go out....... if I pay enough attention.

I was thinking maybe Willbd radio was maybe set to low power tx.

No it was on HI power. I could hear everyone loud and clear. There was a group that was fishing fishing just north of the condos. They walked over Allen a couple of times.

I was thinking maybe Willbd radio was maybe set to low power tx.

No it was on HI power. I could hear everyone loud and clear. There was a group that was fishing fishing just north of the condos. They walked over Allen a couple of times.

Willbd, were you able to hear the CG when I was relaying?

-Allen