Safety kit.

Fenlander · 10 November 2024, 19:18

I've written elsewhere on the thread about the guy who "drifted" in a SIB to Ireland from Wales. Seems he was totally ill equipped to summon help in the early stages to avoid the massive search he caused.

As I've just been checking it over before packing away for the winter thought I'd list my "alert/emergency" kit. Of course what everyone carries might depend where they operate, lake, open sea or estuary etc and how risk adverse they are. This is just what my gear has evolved into over the years.

In case we get caught out in failing light I have an all-round white which I can fix with elastic cord to the end of the extending boathook we always carry.

LED pencil beam waterproof torch with SOS flash facility.

Air horn.

Odeo high power red LED SOS light (laser flare as some call them). This too can attach to the boathook for extra height.

Hand bearing compass that can bungee to seat if needed for making a passage.

Marine VHF.

Mobile in waterproof pouch (I carry a slim power bank that will give it two extra days battery).

PLB.

Second Garmin GPS with all UK mapping, small enough for lifejacket pocket.

Garmin Inreach Sat comm device (This is recent and when I've thought it over a bit more this may take over from the PLB).

Pikey Dave · 10 November 2024, 22:13

Very similar here, we always take a couple of litres of drinking water & high energy snacks too, usually a home made trail mix. Hand held GPS (Montana with blue charts) compass, hand held VHF, life jackets, oh! And plenty of fuel.

willk · 11 November 2024, 14:34

I have a console with electronics, so some of the OP list is fitted.

My 'personal carry' is very similar, except I have a DSC enabled handheld. The DSC is another string in my bow should I go overboard. The other difference is that I carry a car starter pack in a waterproof box. It's rainproof and other than it's intended function of starting the engine in the event of a drained main battery, it has USB charging output and a really impressive LED function with scene illumination and SOS flashes.

I monitor CH16 while the boat is afloat. I think this is VERY important and a lot of boaters don't do it.

willk · 11 November 2024, 16:12

I've thought a little more about these. For some people, they might fulfil the same function. If I was trekking or wild camping in remote locations, and had to choose, I might well plump for the Garmin. Solo in a boat, I'd want the PLB in my pocket (mine is fitted inside my LJ). I may well be wrong, but I suspect that the coordinated rescue response would be sharper with the PLB and it requires little input from me. They're both compact (the current gen PLBs are similar) and ideally I would have both onboard. The PLBs ping on aircraft emergency frequency too, so there's the extra bonus of some Lifeboats and SAR helos being able to close with you using DF.

Don't give up on your McMurdo. The batteries will last long after their expiry date. I test mine annually and it's still good a few of years OOD. I kept it as a backup for days I'm out and about and don't want to plunder the fitted unit.

mhill · 11 November 2024, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I monitor CH16 while the boat is afloat. I think this is VERY important and a lot of boaters don't do it.

Its an obligation under SOLAS.

willk · 11 November 2024, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhill

Its an obligation under SOLAS.

Yes it is. Unfortunately many don't bother. I mention it because it's an easy thing to do (or not) and it may just save a life. For me, it's part of my 'kit' - a VHF, monitoring CH16. In reality I generally triwatch now, with a CG channel and local interest CH. On the previous boat, I ran a dedicated VHF on CH16 and worked the other set.

mhill · 11 November 2024, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Yes it is. Unfortunately many don't bother. I mention it because it's an easy thing to do (or not) and it may just save a life. For me, it's part of my 'kit' - a VHF, monitoring CH16. In reality I generally triwatch now, with a CG channel and local interest CH. On the previous boat, I ran a dedicated VHF on CH16 and worked the other set.

My next rib will have twin VHF sets as DW & Tri just infuriates me, and I have keyed up on channels that I'm monitoring and should not be taxing on. Going through busy harbours and up the Thames into Central, I still want to be on 16 but have a second set on 14 for VTS, etc.

Though I suppose those that don't know how to monitor or that they should monitor, would they know how to respond and if they did attend a PanPan or Mayday, what assistance could they offer?

Fenlander · 11 November 2024, 18:33

>>Don't give up on your McMurdo.

You're probably right. I totally agree it's so much easier to use the PLB being a simple flip and push operation. The Inreach does of course have this single button ability but it's main benefit of adding detail and receiving return comms would be difficult floating on your back in a LJ.

But the Inreach ability to message a contact that had your plans to hand and inform them of a gradually escalating situation could be very useful. As is the ability for any authorised contact to ping the Inreach for a current location. In a situation where you were long overdue but not responding useful for the concerned contact to see your location and decide on possibly pre-empting help.

Re. CH16 we do have the radio on from the moment we launch but it is hard to hear when making progress in a SIB. I do ease off to listen more carefully when I catch a bit of chatter though.

willk · 11 November 2024, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhill

Though I suppose those that don't know how to monitor or that they should monitor, would they know how to respond and if they did attend a PanPan or Mayday, what assistance could they offer?

Hard to say, but even a Mickey Mouse crew can prove useful!

mhill · 11 November 2024, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Hard to say, but even a Mickey Mouse crew can prove useful!

Fenlander · 11 November 2024, 22:39

>>>even a Mickey Mouse crew can prove useful!

But there is a limit, think of the indignity of being towed in by a unicorn pedalo.

Steve509926 · 11 November 2024, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Re. CH16 we do have the radio on from the moment we launch but it is hard to hear when making progress in a SIB. I do ease off to listen more carefully when I catch a bit of chatter though.

I agree. I now have my VHF clipped so high up on my lifejacket so I can hear, I keep whacking my chin on it!

If anyone is interested, I got this email from cactus today. Seems cheap as compared to others.

https://www.cactusnav.com/garmin-inr...e-p-32326.html

jonp · Yesterday, 22:08

This is the basic compulsory kit we have to legally carry (as well as have a boating licence) here. I do have additional gear such as parachute flares and a Garmin 67i in reach. PLB, sat phones and inreach don't meet the safety requirements, hence why we have to carry Epirbs but those other items are well worth having in my opinion, especially if you head long distances for days or weeks at a time like I do.

Steve509926 · Yesterday, 22:33

I'm really surprised that, in the opinion of some, the ott legal requirements are not extended to at least the need for a lifejacket for SUP users.
I would say that at least 2/3 of the CH16 coastguard calls I have heard over the past few years have been for SUPs being blown out to sea.