Couple years ago, with the assistance of our own Jimmy123 I purchased a 25ft Boston Whaler.

With the mental security of the "unsinkable" I started doing trips that would take me upwards of 225 miles roundtrip from the house in a single day. Along the coast, Offshore, exploring points unknown. Most of them solo.

examples





During these excursions I had lots of time to think about the "what ifs" as I assessed what safety gear I had and how to use.

Last year I invested in a cordless kill switch and a some MOB dongles for passengers, before it became a regulation to always be wearing (I agree with the regulation). I tested with a passenger and jumped overboard... the motors almost immediately shut down

Kill Switch

The PFDs I have are either the regular orange horshoe type, or ski jackets, simply to satisfy USCG regs, Neither are very comfortable to wear all day. USCG revised much of the PFD requirements allowing for European standards to be accepted, so Over the winter I ordered a couple quick deploy types

Spinlock 6D

As soon as the yellow is available in the US I'll order a couple of these. Yellow isn't sexy, yes its obnoxious, and so it should be to be seen at dusk. I don't are if some consider it girly

Deckvest Lite

My Q1 bonus check got deposited yesterday so I took the opportunity to purchase the next gear an EPIRB, PLB, strobe flare etc and ordered this kit.

EPIRB Ditch Bag

Definitely overkill for what a recreational boater may need, while still within VHF range (I have AIS and MMSI programmed),
I'm taking the approach with redundancy in mind

as is often stated as other topics have been discussed..Yes a completely over used phrase

Better to have and not need, then need and not have

Safe boating all!!

Check out :
See/rescue streamers.
As seen on shark tank.
Amazon has'em.
And:
A water proof
Green
Class 3a
5 mw
Laser.
As a signal device.

Take caution and learn about lasers * very important.

There are numerous Y.T.vids on both

A Sat Phone in a waterproof case might be an option.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
A Sat Phone in a waterproof case might be an option.

I have a handheld Garmin GPS with Sat messaging subscription capability.

Look at the new Coast Guard Reg/Requirements on Fire-Exinguishers. I am quite sure there will be a metric shit ton of "courtesy tickets" and real penalty tickets written this year at the Ramps and Docks. BoatUS and USCG have plastered the new Regs all over.

Never pass up an opportunity to levy a tax and make some $$$.

Andrew

quote:

Originally posted by El Cid 92:
Look at the new Coast Guard Reg/Requirements on Fire-Exinguishers. I am quite sure there will be a metric shit ton of "courtesy tickets" and real penalty tickets written this year at the Ramps and Docks. BoatUS and USCG have plastered the new Regs all over.

Never pass up an opportunity to levy a tax and make some $$$.

Andrew

Absolutely. That was one of the pre checks along with flare dates

Floating confetti. If your boat sinks there will be a large debris field that can be seen from the air.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

Always file a plan with family a friend and the coast guard.
Where you expect to be , when with how many people.

Then contact them to confirm arrival .
Very important !

I agree with all the above comments.
In regard to your EPIRB and your PLB, when you register them make sure that your emergency contacts know they are on the list and make sure to use people that will actually answer the phone. When I went to re-register the units on the boat I run I noticed my boss had used his daughter as the first contact and then his wife as second. His daughter is an anesthesiologist who is unlikely to answer the phone most of the day. His wife is on the boat when we are travelling.

I substituted my wife as the first contact. She always knows where I am headed and in fact has all my preloaded routes with waypoints, including through the Bahamas, in a binder.

Make sure to have the number of the St. Pete rescue center in your messaging device. And all local CG stations numbers in your cell phone.

quote:

Originally posted by BOATTRASH1:
I agree with all the above comments.
In regard to your EPIRB and your PLB, when you register them make sure that your emergency contacts know they are on the list and make sure to use people that will actually answer the phone. When I went to re-register the units on the boat I run I noticed my boss had used his daughter as the first contact and then his wife as second. His daughter is an anesthesiologist who is unlikely to answer the phone most of the day. His wife is on the boat when we are travelling.

I substituted my wife as the first contact. She always knows where I am headed and in fact has all my preloaded routes with waypoints, including through the Bahamas, in a binder.

Make sure to have the number of the St. Pete rescue center in your messaging device. And all local CG stations numbers in your cell phone.

Great advice. Thanks

I do have Sector New Orleans in my phone

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Always file a plan with family a friend and the coast guard.
Where you expect to be , when with how many people.

Then contact them to confirm arrival .
Very important !

Can’t say I’m 100% on informing friends or family (I was while Dad was still with us) but mostly do

quote:

Originally posted by El Cid 92:
Look at the new Coast Guard Reg/Requirements on Fire-Exinguishers. I am quite sure there will be a metric shit ton of "courtesy tickets" and real penalty tickets written this year at the Ramps and Docks. BoatUS and USCG have plastered the new Regs all over.

Never pass up an opportunity to levy a tax and make some $$$.

Andrew

Non-rechargeables apparently have an expiration date. Has to be less than 12 years old.

I've been out of the boating game for 25+ years, but is there a reason nobody suggested a marine band radio on Channel 16 ??

Is this assumed to be standard equipment, or is this old-tech and not monitored now?

a VHF preferably one with AIS linked to a charterplotter that will automatically send your location to the CG when an emergency arises is absolutely necessary. Channel 16 is still your emergency/distress channel.