Dave wrote in
:

On the contrary, many if not most of us do our cruising within VHF
range of at least some other vessels. And since the radios
automatically pick up transmissions on Channel 70, all you need is
another vessel with the capability in the vicinity.




You are aware that ships on automatic don't even have people on the bridge
to hear it, right? Call 'em on the radio on 16 and see if you can raise
'em.

Those other boats are monitoring their "fishing channel", talking to their
buddies. None of them have full-blown Channel 70 GMDSS systems. If they
have any DSC at all, it's transmit-only just like yours.

The 406 EPIRB isn't by chance that someone will listen......

You just need to determine if life is worth the money.