
By Jerry Dzugan, AMSEA
About a year ago in Alaska, a vessel was in distress in an area with no cell/wi-fi or VHF coverage. However, a passenger was able to give its location using the emergency SOS text feature on a satellite-linked smart phone.
This quickly initiated a search by the U.S. Coast Guard that resulted in the rescue of three people in an area that is a “dead zone” for radio/cell communications. This is a free service that’s enabled on iPhone 14 until September, and for models 15 and 16 for two years after activation.
Apple Inc. has invested millions of dollars in the Globalstar satellite network in order for owners of these recent phones to be able to contact emergency services when they are out of cellular range.
However, it is likely Apple and others would like to get a return on their satellite investment in the future by offering a subscription method like other satellite communication systems currently use such as ACR BivyStick, inReach, Spot, Zoleo, etc.
Android phones such as the Google 9 or its Pro 9 series also can use satellites for SOS emergencies. These are exciting options for the public to use in case of a life-threatening emergency.
However, don’t throw away your EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Your EPIRB is the quickest and easiest way for search-and- rescue services (SAR) to find you.
EPIRBs are designed for use in a maritime environment so they float, are waterproof and have world-wide coverage. All you need to do is flip the switch to “ON” or place it in the water. Within a few minutes the satellite will automatically relay your position, vessel type and other information.
An EPIRB’s battery will operate for at least 48 hours at -20 degrees C. Newer EPIRBs will even activate a light within the device letting you know that the satellite has received your emergency signal.
Your EPIRB is still the first and quickest lifeline in an emergency at sea in an area of poor radio or cell service. The cell phone SOS satellite link is a great step forward in SAR.
Limitations of Cell Phone Usage for Emergencies on Vessels
The cell phone was not designed and tested for use primarily in a maritime environment. The cell phone target audience is millions of ground-based members of the public, most of whom are non-mariners.
Cell phones don’t float, are not technically waterproof and have no strobe light lasting for 48 hours. The signal from a phone has to go to a satellite and back to ground-based staff and back to the satellite, which causes more delay.
In addition, when you’re trying to stay on the capsized hull of your vessel on a dark and stormy night with rain, sleet or icing, it can be difficult to type in the required answers that your phone is going to prompt you to respond to on the cell phone key pad. There’s also the risk of the phone slipping out of your hands and into the water.
iPhone models 14-16 are considered water resistant, not waterproof. They can withstand submersion of 6 to 18 meters (19.7 to 59 feet) for 30 minutes, depending on the model. Dust and scratches from normal use, however, will degrade water resistance over time.
The phone’s face also needs to be kept dry to operate the keys with your fingers. However, you can buy pouches or cases that increase waterproof and flotation integrity.
To get an SOS from your phone, the Globalstar satellite must see both your phone and a land based “gateway” terminal at the same time. There are currently 24 gateways around the world.
For Alaska and the North Pacific, the nearest gateway is in British Columbia, Canada. So it’s important to recognize that Globalstar and other satellite networks are not quite … global.
Globalstar claims to cover 80% of the Earth’s surface. Their satellites orbit a zigzag course north and south of the equator in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) between 46 degrees N and S latitude. However, LEO satellites are not high enough to see over the Earth’s curvature of about 65 degrees latitude.
This limits the extent of Globalstar’s coverage in extreme northern or southern latitudes or in large areas of open ocean with no ground gateway stations due to lack of population. EPIRBs fill in this gap by using higher geostationary as well as polar-orbiting satellites that can cover more of the Earth.
True global smart phone SOS coverage likely will be available before long however, since T-Mobile and Starlink are looking at using their own satellite systems to provide phone SOS services.
On earlier pre-model iPhone 14 and Android phones, there still may be an SOS button, but remember: it will only access a land-based 911 operator if you have cell/wi-fi service.
In an emergency at sea, you need to get to your SOS device as soon as possible. Your first impulse for communication should be to activate your EPIRB and give a MAYDAY on the radio.
If you have time, take advantage of your late model smart phone’s SOS feature for help. VHF radio repeater towers along our coasts are back logged for maintenance, especially in Alaska.
Due to this, the Coast Guard is encouraging mariners to have more than one way to communicate. We have never heard the Coast Guard complain that the mariners they were searching for had too many emergency signals. Do your own due diligence by getting familiar with the SOS options or limitations of your own cell phone.
About AMSEA – AMSEA’s mission is to reduce injury and death in the marine and freshwater environment through education and training provided by a network of qualified marine safety instructors.