Yes well I guess that not having an epirb and only a mob phone for com's in my situation would be quite ok. But if I were to venture further from port even if I did not go more than 1nm offfshore I would definatly have an epirb as it would take me longer to get back if things turned nasty.
The things I know are; I will be only 5 mins tops from port and no more than 1nm from land, there is good phone coverage and a lot of boat traffic, i will have in date flares and a life jacket as well as other saftey gear. I will log on and off with the coastguard, and have a gps on board to tell my pos if required. Non water proof gear like the phone will be kept in a dry bag and the phone will be fully charged. I hope this does not upset anyone if I go out on a good day to my planed destination.