"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...

My solution to my situation was to send an email to a friend who
then called Vessel Assist. Assistance was there 45 minutes later.
This is after trying for 2 hours to raise the CG or CGA just to be
told that they would talk to me on SSB.

Yep, that's unsat. But it would have helped to pursue it at the time, as
I
think you would have received an apology and explanation at the time. I
wouldn't make the generalization that that bad experience certainly
deserved
for it's event.

What is "unsat"? I suppose I am just venting my frustration at my one
and only experience where I needed help.

Sorry, it means "Unsatisifactory" (performance).

My point is that in an emergency, THERE ARE NO LAWS when it comes
to use of the radio when trying to obtain help. Now, there is a gray area
in exactly what constitutes an "emergency". When I was an actively flying
pilot, one could declare an emergency if they personally felt they were in
trouble. They may not have actually been in as much trouble as they may
have thought, but it is the pilot's judgement. Of course, a report had to
be
filed after the fact and some amount of review was done to determine if
the
declaration was valid. Very rarely was a pilot called to task. I suspect
the
same sort of scheme is in place for nautical vessels as well.

Doug, we never disagreed there in the least. My comments were about an act
related to the preplanning for an emergency that does not exist at the time.

Best,

Jack