[boater4life]

Here goes. I’ll make it short.

About 1 hour before dusk I heard a “Mayday” on my base station. I didn’t answer the call right away because I thought the CG would answer and didn’t want to interfere. Soon another “Mayday” and the gentleman (MOB) said they were in the water. In his transmission I could hear water sloshing around. Still no response from the CG. I answered the MOB and asked all the appropriate questions (approved procedures) and told him I would get a crew together and be there shortly. He told me that he thought he was about 3 miles off shore somewhere in the shipping lane, which is about 4 to 5 miles from my harbor. At that time the CG broke in on the conversation and wanted to know the facts. Come to find out, the CG could not hear the gentlemen on their handheld, I guess because being in the water the antenna plane was not reaching very far. I finally got underway and was cruising about 35 with 2 foot rollers. I have a Formula PC with twin big blocks. Getting to be dusk and very hazy with no coordinates it was getting difficult locating the area they were in. I hailed them again and asked if they could see my search and docking lights. They replied “yes” and said turn a little right then a little left, etc. They told me they had a flare and I responded, “send it”. After the second one I found them and hauled them in to waiting EMP’s. The helo was called off.

They later told me they were out looking for a fishing spot and were cruising about 35 mph in their new Patriot 20 foot fishing boat (20 hours) with a 250 hp. motor and a small kicker when all of a sudden they felt some commotion and looked back and water was shooting out of the pedestal of the seats. They said it happened so fast that they only had time to grab their PDF’s and the handheld and they were in the water. They watched the boat go down with no idea what had happened.

They were checkout by EMP personnel and were found to okay after about 2 hours in the water. I have looked for the boat up to 7 days later with not luck. Goes to show you having the right equipment can save your life!

[YachtForums]

Good post... and a VERY good question!

It goes without saying that we keep an EPIRB, handheld VHF and flares on board the big boat, because we make crossings to the Bahamas, trips to the Keys and sometimes over to the Gulf of Mexico. However, I don't have all of these items onboard our runabout, as it stays inland, with an occasional high speed blast out of an inlet.

Now you've got me thinking... I probably need these items even more on the runaboat (a twin Merc 2.5 EFI, PowerPlay Sportdeck). Why? Because it's powered by Mercs! You know the old saying... "If you wanna go fast, you use a black motor. If you wanna get home, you take another color motor!"

Carl (en route to West Marine for more ditch bag components!)

[John B]

Yes definitely have a ditch bag.

Mine has:

- GPIRB
- Handheld VHF, w/ spare battery
- Flare Kit
- Handheld GPS
- Handheld Spotlight
- Signal mirror & whistle
- Flashlight
- Leatherman
- Knife
- Foil emergency blankets
- Spare batteries

Re: EPIRB/GPIRB, I thought it better to keep it in my ditchbag rather than mounted on the boat. I want it with me if I need it.

Ditch bag is kept right next to first aid kit on my boat.

[Tweaked Torpedo]

We keep the usual Coast Guard required items aboard, including a cell phone. One thing I might add is to store the items in a waterproof bag that floats.

The wife thinks we should tote an inflatable. I think it's good idea. It gives her a way to get home when she asks silly little questions, like "do boats come with names on them?"

The battery idea was good. It's been awhile since we've checked them. Thanx!

[John B]

Originally posted by Tweaked Torpedo
One thing I might add is to store the items in a waterproof bag that floats.

The floating bag you suggest is the 'ditch bag'. The idea is to have all your safety gear in a bag so if you need to get off the boat quickly you can take all of the necessary items with you just by grabbing the bag.

[YachtForums]

To the top...

[saltecdog]

For those who want more info on ditch bags i recomend a book called The Grab Bag Book by Frances & Michael Howorth published in Europe by adlard coles and in the US by Paradise Cay

[chrismlewis]

The EPIRB should, if possible, be mounted with a HRU so that if you cannot get to your ditch bag (fire in an "inconvenient" place, injury, not enough time etc) it will float free and be of use. Positioning of the mounting is critical....

ie Ditch bags are often kept in the wheelhouse which has plenty of wiring to start a fire.

Also if you want an EPIRB with you all the time you can buy personal ones. I am lucky enough to own a Breitling Emergency watch, but much cheaper & more functional versions are available and in some circumstances tax deductable!!