I was listening to the VHF radio on channel 16 this morning and listening to all the boats in some form of distress (perceived and real.)  For most communications the US Coast Guard will switch folks over to Ch. 22A for the discussion portion as 16 is for hail and distress only.  Anyway, an interesting discussion took place on Ch. 22A this morning when a boater reported a “row boat” that was unmanned partially submerged in the vacinity of the Bay Bridge.  The US Coast Guard ultimately asked the good samaritan to give their position.  The position that they read off of their GPS was in degrees and decimal minutes.  Interestingly my IPhone gives GPS coordinates in several ways which can be a little confusion especially if you are trying to take GPS coordinates and apply them to a paper chart.  I am sure that the US Coast Guard is smart enough to sort out whatever coordinates you give, but if you are trying to take a GPS coordinate and put it on your paper chart you need to understand how to translate.

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