[CQ-Contest] MMSN - can anyone explain?

[kr2q at optimum.net]

1.  How come these boats/ships are using ham radio?  Aren't there rules and regs or at least
guidelines in place to have radio communication equipment (or something) in case of an 
emergency?  I'm hoping someone can point to reference.

2.  I reviewed the "events" from 2008.  One is "I cut my hand."  Another is "An unknown
vessel is approaching us" followed later by "oh...they are no longer heading our way."  A third
is a TIA, which, if it really was a TIA is not an emergency...just scary.  By definition, a TIA is
"transient."  The boat that lost its rudder in rough seas sounds real enough to me.

But again, shouldn't these guys have some form of marine communication?  One of the above
events even notes that they did have a satellite phone.  Why ham radio...to save money?

de Doug KR2Q