Safe at Sea: The perfect ditch bag
As more and more folks return to the islands, this seems to be the ideal time to review a few of the basics of provisioning your boat. In fact, whether you have a “ditch bag” already or if you need to create one, this is the ideal time for everyone to open up that bag and dig in.
From the question: Is the zipper easily operable to have any of the items “expired” or been consumed by Florida summer’s intense heat, each item should be carefully examined, cleaned (as appropriate) and cataloged.
A ditch bag is just what its name implies; it is a well-provisioned water-proof bag that one grabs in the worst circumstance: when an emergency requires you to abandon your vessel should there be a fire or a collision. The bag should be bright-colored, “floatable” and have strap handles.
However, the truth is, that a ditch bag (often referred to as a grab bag) comes in handy during any of your boating excursions.
So how does a ditch bag differ from a boating bag? There are a few very important additions, particularly for boaters heading out into the Gulf of Mexico.
– The ditch bag must be able to float.
– Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, or EPIRB: When activated, it uses satellites and earth stations to notify the U.S. Coast Guard and local search-and-rescue teams of your emergency and provides your GPS position over two separate frequencies, 406MHz and 121.5MHz. Your EPIRB must be registered with vital information for rescuers. You can register your EPIRB through the America’s Boating Club or the Coast Guard.
– Emergency lights: This cannot be overstressed — specialized lights help rescuers spot victims. ACR makes a variety, including the Rapid Fire Vest Strobe that attaches to a lifejacket and activates for eight hours with a pull-pin. Another choice, the ACR Firefly Waterbug Strobe Light activates automatically in water. (Here is where you do need to check and double-check for functionality.)
– Hand-held VHF radio (which you have already placed in your boating bag) may prove to save your life. Regularly, every boater should check that it works and include new spare batteries.
– SOS distress light, which many believe should be used in tandem with flares: Currently on the market is an LED Visual Distress Signal Device by Weems and Plath; it is the only SOS distress light which meets U.S. Coast Guard requirements to completely replace traditional pyrotechnic flares. Unlike traditional flares, the electronic flare never expires which solves the challenge of flare disposal (Though, remember: those batteries do expire!) It comes with a large orange distress flag that floats on the water, making your location even more clear to air and water rescue.
– Waterproof “floatable” spotlight (again, check the batteries)
– Floating stainless steel folding rescue knife
– Handheld compass
– Waterproof watch (with batteries?)
– Rescue “flash mirror” to make contact via the sun with surrounding vessels and planes
– Drinking water
– Whistle or sound-producing device
In short, there is no such thing as an “over-prepared boater.” But there are plenty of under-prepared ones out on our waters.
Pat Schmidt is a member of America’s Boating Club of Sanibel-Captiva. For more about the chapter and its courses, visit www.sancapboating.club or contact Commander@SanibelCaptivaSPS.org or 239-985-9472.