How do I know if I need Sea Smart™?
Sea Smart is for anyone who, even occasionally, ventures outside of cell phone range (typically, 3+ miles offshore). Because of its range (which is in excess of 25 miles offshore), it’s also perfect for those who like to cruise to new destinations, weekend warriors and fishing enthusiasts who favor the thrill of the deep blue or the special finds in the secluded gunk holes.

Intracoastal cruisers can use Sea Smart to call for information on the nearest fuel dock or restaurant or to contact Sea Tow® for the delivery of fuel or an engine part. Offshore fishermen can call home from the Stream to make a change in their return schedule and parents can check on the teenagers when they borrow the ski boat.

• On your boat, you'll need a DSC-enabled VHF radio that is connected to a GPS unit. This connection will enable you to utilize Sea Smart's Automatic Vessel Location (AVL) feature.
  
• To track your vessel's whereabouts via the Internet, you'll need a computer.
  
• You'll also need a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, unique to your vessel's DSC-VHF radio (you may already have one). Need one? Register here.
  
• Finally, you'll need to sign up for an annual Sea Smart subscription. Click here for additional plan info.

Why should I switch from using my cell phone to using Sea Smart VHF?
Because it’s a safer, more reliable way to communicate while on the water.

The United States Coast Guard has vehemently warned boaters against using cell phones as their primary means of communicating on the water because of cell’s limited range, spotty coverage and private, one-to-one connection which, compared to VHF’s broadcast ability, is useless when a problem arises on the water because none of the nearby boaters can hear your request for help.

To date, satellite phone service has been boaters’ only alternative to their cell phones. However, satellite suffers some of same drawbacks as cell service (i.e.: spotty coverage during inclement weather), with cost being an additional, and rather insurmountable, barrier to entry for most boaters.

Sea Smart provides boaters with a viable solution to spotty on-water communication coverage, in a format that’s easy to use and a price that’s affordable. Plus, the service utilizes boaters’ existing technology – their DSC-enabled VHF and GPS. Additionally, Sea Smart subscribers always know that, should the need arise, there’s an experienced team of on-water assistance professionals – Sea Tow – just a VHF call away.

How much does Sea Smart cost?
Current Sea Tow members can subscribe for a monthly fee of $11.95. Non-member subscriptions are $16.95 a month, plus a nominal activation fee. Both of these rates are based on a yearly subscription and have no limits on calls per month.

How do you place a phone call using Sea Smart?
It’s as simple as the click of your VHF’s microphone. Click here to see just how easy it is.

What, exactly, is the Sea Smart network?
Sea Smart is comprised of a network of antennas on large coastal “high sites” (300 - 400 ft. high towers) and a national operations center manned by trained operators, dispatchers and licensed captains 24 hours a day. The towers and operators are tied together by a truly state-of-the-art radio-over-Internet (RoIP) network. The Automatic Vessel Location (AVL) system receives your location from the DSC radios at the towers and succinctly plots your position with Web-based charting software.

Will the range be as good as that of the Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 system?
Since the basic tower and radio configuration is similar to the Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 specifications, range is about the same. The Coast Guard’s mission is different from ours and their system has several important additional features, such as a unique and highly sophisticated ranging and radio direction finding (RDF) capabilities. Our system complements the Coast Guard’s system by providing a civilian, non-emergency application for DSC, the soon to be standard for on-water communications.