[fini]

Do satellite phones work all over the world? If so, why would anyone go alone without one? They aren’t that big and the cost is minimal. Admittedly, the last one I used was 10 years ago, but the cost was $1 per minute. If you index it for inflation, it is cheaper than calling long distance in the early 70s- $.25/minute.

[nascarnation]

Maybe he didn’t want to be answering all the Clinton fund raising phone calls?

[Procyon]

Iridium satellite phones cost around $1000. A $49/month gives you 10 voice minutes or calls @$4.90/minute. A $99/month plan gives you 100 minutes @ $0.49/minute. The phone would have done him no good if he suffered a sudden heart attack. He died where he sat. I'm guessing he survived the dismasting but over exerted himself in recovering from the incident. He may have jury-rigged an antenna for the HF or VHF radio that he was using.

I spent two years blue water (ocean) cruising. If you think a radio gives you peace-of-mind you are a fool. A thousand miles at sea, you are on your own, particularly if you are sailing single-handed.