GEOS Search and Rescue Insurance

[dennisail]

The GEOS Alliance

Has anyone heard of this group? They want you to use devices approved by them to contact them in the case of an emergency. Then they supposedly initiate your rescue. The SPOT device has limited coverage but the new IRIDIUM extreme has global coverage. What I don't understand is, who comes to rescue you (private companies)? What if you set off your epirb (will this get someone else out to rescue you)?

Who is liable to pay for your rescue anyway? Not that it is to be abused or relied upon, but dont most countries have some sort of deal going on with each other that rescues will not be charged? I know the AU government does not charge to rescue people.

[SteveT]

Never heard of them but had a quick scout through their web site. Looks like some kind of insurance company to me and my question is why would you want to? Assuming you are offshore with an EPIRB and activate it in an emergency. Do you think you'll get a quicker / more professional SAR response than you would through AMVER or AUSREP etc all of which are free? All MRCC stations will respond to any distress in their area and not many charge for it that I'm aware of unless crass stupidity or deliberate false alarms are a factor. I may be wrong about GEOS and am willing to be educated if anyone has some verifiable and independent information?

[dennisail]

Thats pretty much what I was thinking but I was just wondering if anyone could shed light on this. I had this suggested to me and was critical about it to say the least but maybe I am missing something?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by dennisail

Thats pretty much what I was thinking but I was just wondering if anyone could shed light on this. I had this suggested to me and was critical about it to say the least but maybe I am missing something?

Its all a big plot to clear us under 100ft bums off the water...
Turn SAR into an insurance funded agency... insurance (compulsory) goes through the roof forcing small boat owners to sell their boats and go back where they belong in the cities and sweat shops...
Trump, Branson and Friends won't be worried... we'll have paid their costs...

Restore paradise to what it was before we littered the scenery...