Blue Water Emergency Equipment Checklist

[stevec195]

water sailing">Blue water sailing is a ways off for me in terms of experience, but I am starting to think ahead about a list of items that would be a must have for off shore cruising. I have written down some obscure things like an underwater mask, electrical repair odds and ends, more tools than could possibly ever float,etc…. But I was wondering if you could share your experience on what you would consider appropriate to carry beside basic navigation and emergency equipment. I am sure that this has been beat up one side and down the other in other locations, but search did not seem to come up with what I was looking for.
Thanks in advance.

[martinjrichter]

You need a life raft for the number of people onboard, an EPIRB, weather gear">foul weather gear, Jack lines and harness( some are in the PFD) any time you are out of the cockpit, Personal locator beacon, hand held VHF radio is a help.

That is a good start

[s/v Jedi]

Solas grade fireworks (the expensive parachute ones) and orange smoke signals

Emergency epoxy/wood supplies for fixing holes/leaks. Wood can double for other, regular functions.

Personal strobe lights plus a big one at the rail to throw near MOB.

I'm looking at personal AIS MOB transponders now.

The less crew, the bigger the man overboard problem gets.

ciao!
Nick.

[Paul Elliott]

Category One Offshore Special Regulations:
ORC Special Regulations Mo1
This document describes the requirements for monohulls participating in most ocean races. There is a lot of good information here, based on many years of ocean racing experience. Some of it will not be relevant to the non-racer, and we can argue about some of the other requirements, but this is definitely worth a look.

Pacific Cup Knowledge base:
Pacific Cup
Here is a great collection of documents taken from Pacific Cup seminars, contributions from experienced sailors, and other sources. The emphasis is on the San Francisco to Oahu race, but anyone who intends to venture offshore will find much of value here.

[David_Old_Jersey]

- A well found boat.
- A Skipper who knows what he is doing (doesn't have to be wildly experianced).
- Sufficient crew
- The ability to cook hot food and drinks, pretty much 24/7 (galley set up and ingrediants).
- Several stashes of dry clothes.
- Decent foul weather gear (for all crew), including wellies (doesn't have to be branded wear - just needs to work).

Appreciate that the above not really "Emergency Equipment".....but IMO a dollop of prevention is better than sitting in a liferaft. But appreciate that others may have a different philosophy on that..........

- but if you are looking for added "safety", IMO one of the most useful mods to do is.....raise the stanchions a couple of inches - and top with s/s tube in place of the usual wire.

- Plans! have an idea how you would deal with any situations that you can think of - from losing the rig to losing the rudder etc etc etc etc (the reality will never match the expectations - but gives you a head start on having at least some tools and bodging materials onboard).

and finally.........a WIFI connection - just so you can let CF know how you get on

[Mark1977]

A 5gal bucket.....sooo many uses..

[Caapi]

A knife tied to you (boat knife w/ lanyard). If you capsize you might need it to cut your jack lines or deflate your pdf so you don't drown.

[Seahunter]

Over and above the basic requirements of flares and PFDs (worn not stowed); we wear personal locators, whistle, light and as Caapi suggests a knife. If the weather is poor we wear Mustang flotation bibs and jackets; if the world goes to shyte we have Mustang dry suits. (I like to wear it like a sleeping bag while on deck, LOL). Our boat is equipped with an epirb and lifeboat. Our (floating and waterproof) ditch bag contains hand held GPS, VHF, batteries, dried food bars and (bagged) fresh water, thermo blankets, 1st aid kit and a Katadyn Survivor. We also keep emergency food, water, radio, 1st Aid Kit in our dingy chain locker.
Stuff is good, but filing a float plan and understanding your boat and its limitations is just as important. Keeping in touch with a Cruiser's Net is also good along with the daily tasks of checking boat systems (IE, equipment, hoses, through hulls, clamps, oil and batteries). Keep your radio(s) on and monitor them; it could save your life or someone elses'.