List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

[SoundDiscovery]

My boyfriend and I are headed out of Juneau, Alaska in September to begin a year of cruising on our 1978 Cal 34. As we prepare to leave, we're double checking our safety gear and asking around about what safety essentials cruisers require before leaving the harbor for an off shore, open water cruising.

We've got a 4-man off shore life raft on its way, a water pump (de-salinator), epirb (several, one extra for ditch bag), flares and other signaling equipment, and most of the regular coast guard boating requirements.

For those who have been cruising for a while, especially in cooler waters, what are the items you feel are the most essential to keep aboard?