My personal locator beacon saved my life

I’LL NEVER FORGET THE DAY... SIMON JONES: When my new engine cut out at sea, I was rescued after putting a practical birthday present from my partner to use

Leaving my two lurchers, Ken and watching the helicopter fly across the bay on an AIS live vessel-tracking website, knowing it was on its way to find me because the coastguard had told her what was going on. When it hovered above us, I spoke to the pilot via VHF and he asked me if I had any casualties on board. I assured him that we were both okay but that the engine wouldn’t start. He informed the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for us as they don’t have locator beacon technology on their boats. It was Falmouth that had picked up my signal and relayed it to the RNLI via the Weymouth coastguard. They were amazing, and got to us in about 15 minutes even though we’d drifted a mile or so from where I’d sent the initial coordinates. I always have my PLB when I go out in the boat and encourage everyone to do the same. It would save an awful lot of money for the RNLI and helicopter crews and avoid them having to go out and look for people all night long. With a personal locator beacon, they can find those in distress far more easily. Luckily, when I broke down, the boat itself was in fine shape – it was the new engine that didn’t work. We were towed to safety thanks to the RNLI and HM Coastguard, and I’m now in a position to receive many more useful birthday presents from Samantha.

At home, my wife was anxiously watching the helicopter fly across the bay on a live vessel-tracking website