WaveLength magazine editorial July–September 2008 Volume 18, Number 3 PM No. 40010049 Editor – Diana Mumford Publisher – Ron Mumford Diana@WaveLength<strong>Magazine</strong>.com RMumford@PacificEdgePublishing.com Copy Editing – Jenni Gehlbach Marketing – Frank Croft Frank@WaveLength<strong>Magazine</strong>.com Ben Mumford Ben@PacificEdgePublishing.com Webmaster – Paul Rudyk Writing not otherwise credited is by WL staff. Cover Photo: Hole in the Wall, Discovery Islands area, by John Kimantas. (Cover Photo for the April-June issue was taken by Rob Newell of Rob Newell Photography.) Safe paddling is an individual responsibility. We recommend that inexperienced paddlers seek expert instruction and advice about local conditions, have all the required gear and know how to use it. The publishers of this magazine and its contributors are not responsible for how the information in these pages is used by others. WaveLength is an independent magazine available free at hundreds of print distribution sites (paddling shops, outdoor stores, fitness clubs, marinas, events, etc.), and globally on the web. Also available by subscription. Articles, photos, events, news are all welcome. subscribe $18 f o r 1 y e a r – 4 issues $30 f o r 2 y e a r s – 8 issues u s $ f o r u s a / c d n $ f o r c a n a d a t o s u b s c r i b e: 1-800-668-8806 or www.WaveLength<strong>Magazine</strong>.com advertising r a t e s a n d s u b m i s s i o n g u i d e l i n e s a v a i l a b l e a t w w w.w a v e l e n g t h m a g a z i n e.c o m ISSUE AD DEADLINE January–March Nov 30 April–June Feb 28 July–September May 31 October–December Aug 31 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Wild Coast Publishing 2101 Cinnabar Drive, Nanaimo British Columbia, Canada V9X 1B3 Ph: 1-250-244-6437 Fax: 1-250-244-1937 1-866-984-6437 1-866-654-1937 Email: info@WaveLength<strong>Magazine</strong>.com Website: www.WaveLength<strong>Magazine</strong>.com © 2008. Copyright is retained on all material (text, photos and graphics) in this magazine. No reproduction is allowed of any material in any form, print or electronic, for any purpose, except with the permission of Wild Coast Publishing. Printed on recycled ancient rainforest-free paper. Although it seems like we've only just begun, it's time to say good-bye as Ron and I deliver WaveLength into the capable hands of its new owner, John Kimantas. Finding our life out of balance after the acquisition of WaveLength, we were delighted to find that John, expedition paddler, former newspaper editor and author of several BC kayaking guides and atlases, was keen on taking up the challenge of publishing an outdoor recreation magazine and of adopting Wave- Length as his own. As a result of our timely connection, this is the last issue that we will publish— look for changes at www.WaveLength<strong>Magazine</strong>.com and the stamp of a new editor in the October – December 2008 issue. We are more than happy with this unexpected turn of events and confident that John's skills, experience and interests will ensure that WaveLength continues to entertain and inform you about the pleasures of paddling the Pacific Coast and beyond. Ron and I look forward to having more time to be on the water. Maybe we'll see you in some secluded cove, enjoying the peace and beauty that is ours to honor and share. SPOT Messenger and Personal Locator Beacons - Thanks to John Harper for his research and report. In a previous article, we reviewed the SPOT Messenger as a potential safety tool for kayakers and boaters. A few questions came back on the difference between SPOT and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB). PLBs are a recognized emergency locator beacon that, when activated, sends a signal to the COPAS-SARSAT satellite system where it is relayed to Mission Control in Trenton, Ontario. Most PLBs include a GPS so the Mission Control can determine the location of the alert and direct the call to the most appropriate response centre. In the case of west coast kayak incident, it is most likely the call would be directed to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Victoria. Mission Control and the JRCC have access to registration information associated with the PLB and will attempt to contact the emergency numbers listed in this registration data as part of their response. Where the SPOT differs from the PLB is that SPOT can provide outside contacts with location data when there is not an emergency, allowing family or friends to track the location of the user via email, text messaging or web. If the SPOT emergency button is activated, the signal is relayed to a private company (located in Houston, TX) through the GlobalStar satellite system. This company determines the position of the alert and contacts the appropriate response agency. In the case of the Canadian west coast, the JRCC is the agency they would call. Their response time has been good (average of 11 minutes from receipt of alert to call-out) and like the JRCC, they also immediately contact the emergency numbers associated with the SPOT registration data. The main differences between the SPOT and PLB are: the PLB alerts pass through the COPAS-SARSAT, which is a government supported system, and SPOT alerts pass through a private company on their way to the appropriate response centre; SPOT does have the advantage of providing location info when there is not emergency. More on PLBs and COPAS-SARSAT: http://www.nss.gc.ca/site/cospas-sarsat/locaterBeacon_e.asp More on SPOT Messenger: http://www.findmespot.ca/ An interesting article where a hiker in the Highlands of Scotland was incapacitated, activated his SPOT 911 Alert and was medivaced to hospital within 2 hours. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Scotland-SOS-heard-in-Texas.4076827.jp Rescue coordinator, Flight Sergeant Tim Dickinson, said, "This was a perfect example of excellent cooperation between the police at Fort William and the military search and rescue services. "We have rescued a Danish tourist in the Scottish mountains following an emergency call from the USA, using a Royal Navy helicopter and coordinated by the Royal Air Force." Sunderland Echo Newspaper, 13 May 2008 6 WaveLength <strong>Magazine</strong> july–september 2008
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