NYCkayaker Cell phones- out the window

[skimmer]

From:           	"Richard Hiscock" <rch@gmavt.net>
To:             	"Richard Hiscock" <rch@gmavt.net>
Subject:        	Cell phones to drop alert calls to Coast 
Guard
Date sent:      	Thu, 9 Nov 2006 08:06:19 -0500

 
  

 <http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/index.html>  The Press of
Atlantic City On The Web	 	
 
Cell phones to drop alert calls to Coast Guard

>From Press staff reports
(Published: November 9, 2006) 

Due to ongoing confusion, the Coast Guard is asking all cell
phone providers nationwide, including those in New Jersey, to
remove the specialized keying sequence "*CG", which is normally
used to alert maritime emergency assistance, officials announced
Wednesday.

The removal, which will be implemented in every state but Alaska,
was decided on because of some cellular companies not changing
the keying sequence after moving to digital systems, the Coast
Guard said in a statement. That failure to change created a
confusing patchwork of service that can add significant delays in
the Coast Guard response.

Officials said the Coast Guard has requested that cell phone
service providers reroute all "*CG" calls to the 911 operator and
is advising all boaters to use VHF-FM radio as their primary
means of making distress calls on the water.

Cell phone calls to 911 should be used only as a secondary
option, the statement reads.