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Old 31-07-2013, 11:12   #1
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List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

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?
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Old 31-07-2013, 11:18   #2
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Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

I would recommend you pick up Capt. Fatty Goodlanders book, "Buy, Outfit and Sail". He has some good recommendations when it comes to safety and has lots of experience to back it up.

Fair winds,

Jesse
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Old 31-07-2013, 11:19   #3
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Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

Dry suits, snorkeling gear, gas-powered generator, high energy bars/snacks, satellite phone, portable GPS'; that's all folks! Have fun!

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Old 31-07-2013, 11:21   #4
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Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

I have two survival suits, the kind that fishermen use. If you don't have time to deploy the raft something like them may be useful. Also extra fire extinguishers.

Todd
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Old 31-07-2013, 12:50   #5
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Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

First aid kit, or equivalent stuff...

-Chris
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Old 31-07-2013, 13:25   #6
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Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

never been that far north (or west!), but done plenty of cold, wet and miserable........


Plenty of changes of warm clothing.

more than one means of heating / cooking food.


Those are safety items, not just convenience things - warm and dry and well fed means better decisions and less mistakes.
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Old 31-07-2013, 13:46   #7
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pirate Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

I'd suggest you get a dozen cans of 'auto heat' food... keep em in your ditch bag..
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Old 31-07-2013, 14:00   #8
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Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

I assume your vessel condition/rudder etc have been ascertained and are good. You dont say where..? are you planning on winter cruising Alaska?
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Old 31-07-2013, 15:29   #9
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Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

I don't know what kind of self steering you have but consider a wind vane that can double as an auxiliary rudder. The majority of boat abandonment I've heard of are from rudder failure. That's not to say it's common, but it's still the biggest reason I've personally seen for ditching a boat.

In our ditch bag, just off the top of my head

- we toss handheld VHF in before the passage
- GPS in a ziplock, batteries out, batteries in a double ziplock bag nearby.
- MSR dromlite water bag
- signal mirror
- pedialyte dry mix (electrolytes, a bit of sugar)
- granola bars

other things I pack:

- cable clamps (not hose clamps). if a stay snaps at the deck you can make a loop from the cable with the clamps.
- some spare amsteel / dyneema. temporary rig supports.
- good knot tying skills
- the BIG edson manual bilge pump (1 gallon per stroke)
- a piece of stainless bar stock for making a spare chainplate. doesn't need to be pretty. cobalt bits to drill through, or drill some holes in it in advance. have fasteners.
- a thick piece of allthread, a thin piece of allthread. matching nylocs and washers.
- spare starter motor, spare alternator. you can get chinese knockoffs on ebay.
- keep 5 gallons of fresh water in a jerry jug and don't use it. put it in the back of the quarter berth.


I know we have more stuff onboard but honestly maintenance and good sailing chops can really reduce your chances of problems. Have a clean and organized deck and cockpit, don't trip, plan out anything on deck (sail changes, anchoring, etc) in advance and think of everything you'll need.
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Old 31-07-2013, 15:36   #10
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pirate Re: List of Safety/Survival Esstentials

I'm to basic for any more suggestions... bar 'know your boat better than the designer'
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