On Tue, 4 Jan 2005 06:42:56 -0800, "Steve" wrote:


I believe that a good selection of flares is the best way to attract
attention (assuming the other vessel has a proper watch 'on deck'.

Speaking as someone who's spoken to a fellow cruiser who had to fire a
flare AT a watchperson to get them to see him (tip: aim high because
flares drop into a parabola rapidly), I think there's an issue with
the declining practice of watch-keeping in an age of bleeping gadgets.