Other Activities > Fishing

Are You Prepared?

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Dmanmastertracker:
 In the wake of the boating tragedy back east, I pondered this question. Many of my previous trips came to mind out in the salt, up in Canada etc.. For you boater's out there, how many take the following precautions before going out?

 -Filing a travel plan with the Coast Guard before leaving
 -Travel with a partner boat
 -Carry three different forms of communication: Cell, VHF, CB, Satellite, etc..
 -Check the long range forecast
 -Carry PFD's and an inflatable
 -Carry at least two GPS units
 -Carry enough water to last a week
 -Carry food, emergency shelter and fire starter for at least a week
 -Carry a signal flare gun
 -Have a spare motor and carry oars
 -Carry a heavy rope to tow with, or be towed.
 -Carry an emergency locator beacon.


 I can think of several occasions I've had to use equipment listed above.
 

boneaddict:
I agree with your list, but what of all that do you think would have helped these folks out?

HawkenBob:
I used to drive my 21 footer up to Rivers Inlet every year. I carried 2 VHF's and add one survival suit for everyone on board.

One backup hand held GPS as well as full charts of the area's you will be in.

It was definately a tragedy, but unprepared boaters and ill experience along with a bad decision is what caused this. No fish is worth this. With that forecast they should have NEVER went that far.

Dmanmastertracker:

--- Quote from: boneaddict on March 05, 2009, 08:57:00 AM ---I agree with your list, but what of all that do you think would have helped these folks out?

--- End quote ---

 First to me would have been the forecast and understanding what it means. If you plan on heading out 50 miles, taking hours to get out and hours to get back in a small boat and the weather is predicted to get nasty with rough swells, at a minimum, take a partner boat along and keep the radio on to get updates on the forecast in real time. Most would never go out that far in that kind of weather, but if you feel you have to, take a partner boat, or even 3 -4 boats so you can help each other out. If it does get rough beyond safety limits, get your flare handy, it will still fire after being in the water, no doubt in this case, a flare or two would have been seen from up to 15 miles away and helped the search teams find them quickly. One I didn't have on there is loading your boat properly. If you plan on going out in rough water, it's always best to have closer to 1/2 your payload if you can. The other important one to me is the travel plan, that would have put the CG right on them quickly after reported missing.

boneaddict:

--- Quote ---First to me would have been the forecast and understanding what it means
--- End quote ---
Yeah no kidding.

Respectfully to the families and the dead I won't say what I want to about them.  I kind of wonder if it comes from their invincible pro athlete attitude that some of them seem to have.

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