[rocksteady]

Light Of Cell Phone Used To Rescue Boater

Night-Vision Goggles Spot Cell Phone


POSTED: Thursday, January 8, 2009

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A missing boater on the St. Johns River was located by aviation officials by using the light of his cell phone, which was detected with night-vision goggles, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
Members of the Orange County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit were called Wednesday night to assist in locating the boater. Deputies in the helicopter advised the boater via the sheriff's office communications center to activate his cell phone and point it toward the helicopter when he spotted it.
Using night-vision goggles, the deputies were able to see the light of the cell phone and locate the boater.
The helicopter unit then directed a marine unit to the boater, who was rescued.

 

[JoshKaptur]

Seems to me one ought to have a few other options for lights to shine at a helicoptor when on a boat!

 

[Conjuror]

I had the same reaction....time for a coast guard aux safety course there!

 

[CSLUG]

Egg salad and a lighter would also work.

 

[27 sailfish]

WOW - great going for Coast Guard :clap::clap:.

I once towed a boater into Sandy Point at night.We were anchored off Hacketts for Croakers and now/then heard yelling.Kept looking around but did not see anyone.Went to move because it was getting rough and saw a boat on radar about 1/2 mile away.No lights on that we could see.Motored over slowly and saw a flicker of light - a Bic lighter :eek2:.The 17 foot run about had 3 people onboard and a dead battery/no flash light/flares or cell phone.They got on my boat and we towed their boat into Sandy Point in 2 foot waves and light drizzle.They offered me money - I refused but asked that they buy a rechargable spotlight.Pure luck we went over to check them out.I just thought they were drinking and being loud.

 

[Echo]

Egg salad and a lighter would also work.

:roflguy::hysterical::roflguy::hysterical:

 

[lightman]

AAH YES The blue flame club

 

[twiskman]

Are you kidding me??? My cell phones have been so sensitive to moisture, this is amazing!! If I even sneeze on my phone, the damn thing stops working... this guy was in the water and had his phone work??? WHat kind of phone is that?!?!?! I want one!

 

[bubba bounty hunter 5150]

how on earth can a guy in a helicopter see a cell phone light in the water? night vision goggles or not, jeez.


ray

 

[Doggydaddy]

Are you kidding me??? My cell phones have been so sensitive to moisture, this is amazing!! If I even sneeze on my phone, the damn thing stops working... this guy was in the water and had his phone work??? WHat kind of phone is that?!?!?! I want one!

We must have the same kind of phone the humidity goes up & it stops working.

 

[lightman]

With night vision goggles that cell phone would light up like a tv screen.

 

[Wild Bill]

Are you kidding me??? My cell phones have been so sensitive to moisture, this is amazing!! If I even sneeze on my phone, the damn thing stops working... this guy was in the water and had his phone work??? WHat kind of phone is that?!?!?! I want one!

I am not making a recommendation here, but I have had trouble with cell phones and moisture also. What fishermen who boats frequently in all kinds of weather in an open boat has not?

I have only had this new phone for a month. Asked for the most rugged and water resistant phone I could get. Was told this one was made for contractors and was shock and water resistant. It is slightly heavier than most models because it is gasketed. Time will tell if it is really more durable.

It is an AT&T Samsung SGH-a837. It was not cheap even with a two year 1400 min agreement.

 

[Porkchunker]

With night vision goggles that cell phone would light up like a tv screen.

Actually, it would look like the headlight of an oncoming car. Those things are really sensitive.

Dave

aka