Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature of all “mounted” Marine VHF radios can be a life saver in case you need assistance.

A “panic button” was pressed near us on Saturday morning.

Our chart plotter gave us the option of setting a waypoint at the point of origin, which we did. It was right on-line with our planned route for today!

So, we told the Coast Guard we would report what we could see from the position of the electronic MAYDAY call on DSC.

On AIS, we saw that SeaGem was the first boat on scene.

In the background, SeaGem can be seen above. Once SeaGem was told by the captain of Herkee that no assistance was needed, she steamed off. We simply let Herkee know we’d give them a slow pass.

They were anchored, and TowBoatUS was en route, as was a local USCG patrol boat.

We continued on our way. The crew of Herkee was no longer “in distress” and were a bit jovial about the start of their day.

Evidently they are in final preparations for their Great Loop adventure. So, taking the mast down was “on the list!”

Good Luck to the crew of Herkee! We will certainly be staying in touch!