Gone In 120 Seconds

[sierra]

I had the thought that another thread about a fast-sinking boat off of Cape May and it being the beginning of the boating season for many was a good excuse to post an old story that I consider a must-read for anyone who does what we do, spend time on the water on our boats with our family and friends. It's easy to take for granted how things can go very wrong very quickly out there. There is a reason for life rafts, EPIRBs, ditch bags, MOB and evac drills, float plans and an awareness of the location and condition of your safety gear. In my opinion, THIS POST effectively drives that point home.

I know of a lot of "pleasure" boaters in vessels of all kinds who untie the lines and go without a thought to any of what happens in this story, thinking it could never happen to them. Let's hope it doesn't but it most certainly can. Wouldn't it be better to be as prepared as possible if it does?

 

[PascalG]

I have always believed that location of the emergency gear is as critical If not more than the gear itself.

Years ago, after reading a story about a fired started storing a number of life jackets in the encore locker. Makes a lot of sense as th now is usually where you will abandon ship in a boat fire but also usually the last section afloat in a catastrophic sinking. I cringe when I see life jackets stored under settee right above an engine room...

And yes, ditch bags, portable VHFs, cell phones etc should be on the FB when you have one, not down below.

One last though... I never liked the SS cables with levers to secure tenders. I prefer ratchet nylon straps. As long as you have a sharp knife in your ditch bag

Good story

 

[boatbum]

I was always more comfortable when we had the dink on a tow line. A knife was kept handy as well as the ditch bag. Since we traveled relatively far and wide we always saved old flares and brought them along as well.

 

[Good Grief]

Those travelling offshore should seriously consider carrying an inflatable liferaft or IBA with a hydrostatic release - cuz you never know.