WOW! Now that's a story we don't want to be reading here too often, if every again. Hopefully it's an eye opener for a few of us here as Wayne's story was too. Very happy to hear it ended well. You should add your "top 11 points" to the Safe boating and fishing tips. Some good stuff there.
This spring I got my VHF license and feel it was money and time well spent. I've just got a handheld unit myself but will be looking into a fixed mount unit with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) after reading this. In a situation where you are drifting around and unable to anchor, the VHF radio when tied in with your GPS gives the coast guard your location at all times. Something to look for when buying a unit. I think all the newer units have it.
Once again, glad there was a happy ending.