Coastguard after rescue: Use the VHF, not the phone

10:41 PM Sun 9 May 2010 GMT

'VHF - the phone does not replace it' .

Coast Guard officials have warned sailors that a satellite phone does not substitute for VHF as a method of summoning aid, after a yacht had to be rescued when 18 miles off shore this week A journey of only 85 nautical miles ended up a nightmare when four sailors had to be rescued and towed to shore in their 41ft sailing boat. Caught in sustained 30 knot winds gusting over 40, the sailors lowered their mainsail when it started tearing, and tried to slow the boat with a drogue anchor. This then became caught in their propeller. They had merely ...

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by Sail-World Cruising