"Tamaroak" wrote in message
...
But this forum is (or should be) a safe spot to ask these questions and
learn the particulars with a very minimum amount of embarrassment.

Compare that to what was earned by some dummy a couple years ago who cried
out "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" in calm water and bright sunshine a mile from
Bayfield, Wisconsin who had run out of gas and couldn't figure out why his
boat wouldn't start.

Capt. Jeff

The only reason for a mayday call is if you run out of bait. But seriously:

1) You see someone fall off a bridge. Attract others with a flare first? I
don't think so. Call someone capable of arranging for MAJOR help and fast,
like the CG. If the victim survived the fall, they have only have a matter
of minutes to live. While making the call, you haul ass over there, and tell
the CG that now, you need to free up your hand and get to work.

2) Wait till the drifting boat crashes into the cliff? What??? No. Make the
mayday call immediately, then get over there and do something, if possible.
Unless the CG is right around the corner, they may need 9 of those 10
minutes to arrive.

3) Two boats collided: Same as #2.

In all 3 cases, someone will arrive who has the ability to jump in (possibly
cold) water without killing themselves.