Of course, as the cost starts inching up, I think a Ritter AMK PSK might be a good solution. I just can't justify the cost right now so I'm trying to build my own.

Jackie...in the late 70s I was fishing in a 14' jon boat in the Gulf of Mexico, about 1 mile off the entrance marker of a heavy traffic channel...a sea breeze was blowing, and I was fishing off the stern... when I turned around a dense sea fog was about 25m from my anchor... by the time I started the motor and ran the anchor line, I was completely engulfed by the fog... I swung round, but had completely lost any reference clues except the cavitation bubbles in the water...I could hear traffic of larger craft... luckily I was slightly north of the channel, and decided to let the sea breeze take me shallow with the motor idling... I sat it out for a couple of hours till the fog lifted... a whistle, compass, chart section, and signal mirror were always in my tackle box after that...

when I fish with friends, I make sure I carry my own...It's hard to see small craft in 8' swells... you might get some waterproof copy paper, and make a Google Earth satellite/topo chart of the area for each person

Thanks Les. Point well taken. I wish I could get my friends to buy-in. Something like what happened to you is so within the realm of possibility. My fathe -in-law's hubby died in a fishing accident, in fact.

I always bring my own gear, and am a big fan of having the basics on your person, in fear or anticipation of a scenario like this.

Bacpacjac,
I get this all the time. Some people simply will not accept advice. Don't worry about the "won't buy in" brigade. Once you have advised, youhave fullfilled any obligations th at you could possibly have to them.

Also: Your only duty if it goes pear shaped is to get yourself home to your husband and kid's. If anyone survives, well, that is a bonus.

Thanks Leigh!

Are you able to leave a light burning at the cabin / dock ? Perhaps there is already one there or there are nearby street lights or town ?
If you come back at night (unexpectedly) a light makes it much easier to find the place. Something like a quality glow stick would do the job.

I guess you will check that your PSK kit bag floats ? It would be a pity to capsize and have it sink !