[Capt. Debbie]

Good luck with that.

Frequently I have snapped off and lost the top half, in hard seas on the tow boat. Probably broke off 3 in the last year.

Often they break off right above the screw in base to the lower masthead.

Most times are on long hard rides. If the antenna is taking a beating, so is the crew. Problem is the base transmits the shock more. Most antenna bases (lower section) are strapped off to the hard top. ABove the hardtop these things whip wildly in a pounding sea.

So to make an already too long answer to a short question longer, it will happen again after enough rough days. We have 2 radios on the tow boat. With that tip gone, you can not transmit. Combine that with a rough sea day that caused it, and you can be VERY screwed if something goes wrong over the horizon. A second radio is backup, or get a spare antenna tip on the boat.
Just food for thought since this happens often running in crap weather like we do on the tow boats. aka it will break at the worst time... count on that.