REPLAY Pau Hana #7: US Coast Guard SAR briefing
Kevin Cooper briefed the fleet: Kevin is a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) search and rescue mission coordinator for the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu in District 14. We talked about USCG support for vessels in the Pacific and other safety tips, including:
- readiness recommendations for EPIRBs, PLBs, and life rafts
- information about (affordably) replacing an EPIRB battery
- how the USCG supports a range of vessel flag / nationalities
- what to look for if a rescue plane goes over you at sea
- how different nations CGs coordinate across regions
- USCG's welcoming of non-emergency contact to share info
- how on-board Starlink can help identify your location
Kevin opened with two KEY requests:
1. CHECK your EPIRB registration and battery
2. In your EPIRB registration, use the "additional information" field! Link to a current photo of your vessel (ideally, with and without sails up), other vessel and crew details. These can be bundled with your float plan stored at a cloud-based location.
Taking these steps SAVES LIVES.
USCG HONOLULU CONTACTS:
- (800) 331-6176 and JRCChonolulu@uscg.mil
ADDITIONAL LINKS AND RESOURCES
- Make a float plan! (download template)
Hazard reports (discussed: vessels adrift): get these from weekly reports in your NAVAREA.
- NAVAREA map above (also, download)
- Sample email report for NAVAREA (download)
- Get reports by subscribing to your NAVAREA updates at https://msi.nga.mil/home - "we encourage everyone to subscribe."
The Pau Hana Series is free of charge, honoring the cruising tradition of sharing knowledge and mutual support.
MEET Behan & Jamie, zoom series hosts
Hey, sailor!
We're Jamie and Behan from Sailing Totem. Previously we gave seminars in person to the fleet assembled in Mexico as they prepared for the big crossing to the Marquesas. Organizing this series is our response to the tragic passing of Mike Danielson: he hosted the fleet at his home in La Cruz, Mexico, where we collaborated on many seminars together over the years.
Sharing from our experience via Zoom is part of our DNA, something we've done for a decade as cruising coaches. With Mike's passing, this series felt like something we could do to carry on his spirit - despite our location on the far side of the Pacific. We hope you find it helpful!
More about us:
Our TRU Coaching service
Current location of our Stevens 47, Totem
