This is "kinda" a sailing gift.

I got a used IRIDIUM Phone for Christmas because of all the "out of area" stuff I do. My wife wants us to make it possible to always be in touch with someone for emergency purposes so she mentioned it at work and one of her co-workers gave her this phone. My job is to learn about it and find out the cheapest way to maintain it.

Apparently there are two options: Maintain a plan or Buy Prepaid minutes. The phone came with a SIM card but it has no service attached to it.

So where do I go from here? If I just want to be able to get in touch with either the authorities (for rescue/emergency purposes) or let someone at home get in touch with me (if they are having an emergency) when I am out of the normal cell phone area what would be the easiest and cheapest way to go? Anyone?


Thanks
Greg