Please be aware that the cellular phone service around the Isthmus (Two Harbors) area of Catalina Island has been shut down until sometime in early February.
Southern California Edison needed to shut down the power to the cells while they are working on the water tank on which the cellular antennas are attached.
If your Emergency Action Plan for the Isthmus area calls for the use of a cellular phone to contact Emergency Response personnel, then you will need to modify your plan to include a different mode of communication for contact.
As always, the best option for contacting Emergency Response personnel while on the water is a marine radio on Channel 16.
If you are diving from the beach in the Isthmus area then either have a portable marine radio (on Channel 16) or know the location of the nearest land line.
When you make an emergency call on Channel 16 you should hail the Coast Guard.
Let them know who you are, where you are, and the problem you are experiencing.
Always assume that you will lose communications, so make sure your location, the name of your boat, and a description of your boat is transmitted first so that responders know where you are and what you look like.
Both the Isthmus and Avalon LA County (Baywatch) Lifeguards monitor Channel 16 and can respond to your hail if they are close and able to hear your call.
If neither Lifeguard station is unable to pick up your transmission, the Coast Guard can dispatch either Baywatch boat to your location.