ezstandalone.cmd.push(function() { ezstandalone.showAds(102); }); [Seamanship](/articles/seamanship)# Abandon Ship – What to Have When Getting That Sinking Feeling May 14, 2019 [ Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet/?text=Abandon%20Ship%20%E2%80%93%20What%20to%20Have%20When%20Getting%20That%20Sinking%20Feeling&url=https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Fview-news%2F6343_abandon-ship-%25E2%2580%2593-what-to-have-when-getting-that-sinking-feeling.md&hashtags=boattest&via=&related=&in-reply-to=)[ WhatsApp ](whatsapp://send?text=Check%20out%20this%20page%20-%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Fview-news%2F6343_abandon-ship-%25E2%2580%2593-what-to-have-when-getting-that-sinking-feeling.md)[ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=966242223397117&name=Abandon%20Ship%20%E2%80%93%20What%20to%20Have%20When%20Getting%20That%20Sinking%20Feeling&link=https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Fview-news%2F6343_abandon-ship-%25E2%2580%2593-what-to-have-when-getting-that-sinking-feeling.md&caption=&description=&picture=&source=&ref=&display=popup)[ Email ](mailto:?subject=Share%20this%20article&body=Check%20out%20this%20page%20%22Abandon%20Ship%20%E2%80%93%20What%20to%20Have%20When%20Getting%20That%20Sinking%20Feeling%22%20-%20https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Fview-news%2F6343_abandon-ship-%E2%80%93-what-to-have-when-getting-that-sinking-feeling%0D%0A) ![Abandon-1](/sites/default/files/inline-images/abandon-ship.jpeg) **There is never a good time to abandon ship. When calamities arrive, they often happen quickly and being prepared can truly mean the difference of life or death.** Having and maintaining a comprehensive ditch bag can save lives. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that there be a properly fitting life jacket for every sole onboard as well as a throwable personal floatation device and a fire extinguisher. According to the size of the boat, other safety devices such as flares may be required. However, these items represent the minimum for onboards safety devices and are often not enough. Keeping and maintaining a ditch bag onboard may be one of the most important ways to remain safe when the situation gets really serious. Here are some tips on what any boater should have and maintain in their ditch bag. ![Abandon-2](/sites/default/files/inline-images/abandon-2.jpeg) **During emergencies, there is often no time to gather items that you may need when abandoning ship.****Make a List.** There’s an endless list of what should go into a ditch bag, but there are other realities to consider as well. Where will you store a giant bag onboard? How often will you check its contents to make sure all is up-to-date and working? How much room would it take up in a life raft? Is it too heavy for the smallest of the crew to carry? **Quantities will vary** with the crew size and cruising grounds, but consider these items a start. ### Safety Equipment Checklist At a minimum, this equipment will serve for offshore or extended near-coastal cruising. ![Abandon-3](/sites/default/files/inline-images/abandon-3.jpeg) **Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) & Personal Location Beacons (PLB).**EPIRBs and PLBs help locate a vessel or crewmember in distress. (These devices interface with the worldwide service of [COSPASS-SARSAT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Cospas-Sarsat_Programme), the international [satellite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite%0D%0A) system for [search and rescue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_and_rescue) (SAR). Registration is free and there is no subscription or annual fee for either.) ![Abandon-4](/sites/default/files/inline-images/abandon-4.jpg) **A Personal Location Beacon (PLB) is effective and a more affordable emergency location device.****ACR Rescue** The ACR ResQLink is among our favorite life-saving devices. Search and rescue will come a lot quicker when you have one of these devices. **Life Rafts & PFDs** **Life rafts** - Keep you afloat, out of the water and visible. **PFD** - Just keeps you afloat but not out of the water. Make sure it includes a whistle and reflective SOLAS tape. ![Abandon-5](/sites/default/files/inline-images/abandon-5.JPG) **A life raft can be expensive. However, there is no substitute in an emergency.** **TSO’d Life Raft** When choosing a life raft, get the biggest you can afford and fit on the boat. You will come to appreciate size when the life raft is all you have. ### Signaling Equipment **Flares** – The Coast Guard has rules on types/colors to carry depending on vessel size and use. **Lights** – Fixed or strobe **Fog horn** – Air pressure or the kind you blow in **Whistle** – Preferably attached to PFD **Mirror** – For daytime signaling ![Abandon-6](/sites/default/files/inline-images/abandon-6.jpg) **U.S. Coast Guard approved flares are designed for signaling distress. SOLAS approved flares are built to higher standards and often are more expensive as well as more effective.****SOLAS** - The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime treaty which sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships. **Marine Flares** Marine flares are the first choice for signaling and are the most recognizable. Make sure they are not expired. Expired flares will not light. **Electronics/Communications** **Handheld and fixed VHF** – Waterproof **Handheld and fixed GPS** – For reporting location ![Abandon-7](/sites/default/files/inline-images/abandon-7.jpeg) **There are several models of affordable waterproof VHF radios with both GPS features and Digital Selective Calling (DSC) that signals location of the transmission.****VHF Radio** **A VHF is the critical** choice for communicating. Several models include a GPS. If it includes a GPS it will also include DSC (Digital Selective Calling) so you can transmit a call for help as well as your position with the press of a button. ### Complete List of Suggested Items. **Ditch Bag** – Waterproof **EPIRB** – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon **PLB** – Personal Locator Beacon **VHF radio** – Waterproof, handheld and DSC capable with an extra battery **GPS** – Waterproof, handheld with alkaline batteries (there are VHF, GPS combo units) **Locator Light** – Waterproof and preferably a strobe light **Dry bag** – Make that more than one **Space blanket** – Reflective is best for heat/cold and signaling **Duct tape** – toss in some thin wire or twist ties too **Multi-tool** - And/or knife **Length of extra line** – 50 feet at least **Flashlights and headlamps** – Waterproof and preferably LED **Chemical light sticks** – Break them to activate **Sunglasses** – And extra prescription glasses **Sponges and a towel** – Sitting in water guarantees saltwater sores **Water container** – Plastic or metal **Water bottles** – Supplement the life raft supply **Food** – Freeze dried and/or energy bars **Medical kit** – As much as you can pack **Medications and supplements** - Including personal and seasickness meds **Sunscreen and lip balm** – Especially important for life rafts with no tops **Flares** - Handheld and aerial **Whistle or air horn** – Your voice will be a poor substitute **Signal mirror** – Make sure it has a lanyard **Sea dye** – SOLAS-grade to mark your spot **Identification** – copies of passports, driver’s license, and ship’s papers **Instructional book** - Captain’s Guide to Life raft Survival is a good one **Fishing supplies** – At least line and hooks **Funnel** – To capture any condensation for drinking water **Trash bags** – Good for keeping gear together and dry **Bail bucket** – Also for a variety of uses including a toilet **Toilet paper** – Don’t laugh, have you thought of life without it? **There’s an old saying** that says chance favors the prepared. If caught in a disaster without any preparation, chances of survival diminish drastically. Look at it this way: Is it better to be stuck in the water after the boat sank with a simple VHF, or be relegated to waving arms? The more equipment on hand to prepare for an emergency, the more emergencies one will be prepared to deal with.