Safety gear

[TWPC]

Apart from a functioning radio, anchor, life jackets, first aid kit and flares, what other safety equipment do my fellow Ribbers recommend carrying on the boat for leisure, inshore ribbing (i.e. Not more than 3 miles from shore)?

[Simonh66]

Originally Posted by TWPC

Apart from a functioning radio, anchor, life jackets, first aid kit and flares, what other safety equipment do my fellow Ribbers recommend carrying on the boat for leisure, inshore ribbing (i.e. Not more than 3 miles from shore)?

Drinking water
Safety knife
Hand held VHF
Membership of Seastart lol

[Fender]

Originally Posted by TWPC

Apart from a functioning radio, anchor, life jackets, first aid kit and flares, what other safety equipment do my fellow Ribbers recommend carrying on the boat for leisure, inshore ribbing (i.e. Not more than 3 miles from shore)?

There's a certain item of kit that can raise a passionate discussion on RIB.net................
The majority of RIB's don't use one, the minority who do get very fervent about 'it' and you dare go floating without one your the devil incarnate! If you want I'll PM the word and you can do a search, not brave enough today to publicly post it!

Originally Posted by Simonh66

Membership of Seastart lol

So very un-self-reliant of you!! How unprofessional to even suggest the above
(Oh, worth every penny if your in their area of operation! Marine Breakdown Assistance by Sea Start )

[TWPC]

Thank you Simon and Fender, much appreciated.

Being a newbie here, I am unaware of the passion provoked by the item to which you allude. Fender, please send me a PM!

[Fender]

Originally Posted by TWPC

Thank you Simon and Fender, much appreciated.

Being a newbie here, I am unaware of the passion provoked by the item to which you allude. Fender, please send me a PM!

Will do, but prepare for the feverish dialogue - pop the kettle on and enjoy

Ref safety kit, If I'm solo I always clip a PLB on my lifejacket, that way there's a chance your ass is covered in you go unintentionally swimming ( as well as the obligatory hand-held VHF on your person ).

If your not already qualified RYA do some great powerboat courses - very worthwhile

[TWPC]

Originally Posted by Fender

If your not already qualified RYA do some great powerboat courses - very worthwhile

Ah yes: the wife and kids are already qualified and I will be doing mine this summer.

[Fender]

Originally Posted by TWPC

Ah yes: the wife and kids are already qualified and I will be doing mine this summer.

[charliee]

Fire extinguisher seems to be missing.

[Phil M]

I also carry a good waterproof torch and a few foil blankets. The torch for seeing with or being seen and the blanket tor emergency warmth or, again, being seen.

I'm going to mention the unmentionable item. Auxiliary means of propulsion. This could be paddles, spare engine, seastart or going out in company, depending on where and how you boat.

Suncream isn't a daft thing to carry either.

Phil M

[Dr. Hook]

Killcord!



Radar reflector so you can be (might be ;-) )seen - a decent one, properly orientated*.

What are you wearing if you should go in the drink? A drysuit might be overkill on a hot day, and oilies only keep the thrown wet off......but there are some excellent layered wet thermal options from the likes of Fourth Element (pricey) and Rooster (more reasonable). Think about your hands (dexterity when cold) and head.


*NB those 'tube' style ones that you usually see hung athwart a-frames are in their worst orientation. They are not a true corner reflector. To work at all they need to be vertical (with no pitch and roll!), so if you've got one to give it any chance it needs to be loud and proud like Blackadder with a new codpiece.


PS) I know you said 3 miles....but it's cold in the UK, busy in the Solent and 3 miles is a long swim!

[Obsidian]

Spare fuel in some form, either twin tanks or a 5l can and anything in between.

Basic tool kit.

Laminated chart & tide table.

Also - practice anchoring at every opportunity, its a bit of a dark art to get right quickly and with ease and you don't want to be learning as you go if your in the poo.

[Maximus]

All good stuff mentioned so far....
I added a USB port inside of the glovebox for charging phone ect ..A handheld Fog Horn (you won't believe how thick Fog can be at Sea until it happens to You!) A DECENT whistle (Not of the the lifejacket variety)..red and green chemical glow sticks.
Backup VHF handheld (my fixed Radio played up last time out)...a good weighted throw line and...a Towing bridle of some kind...I also carry Glucose sweets and Sea sick pills for the Land Lubbers...usually some "rations" inc Thermos....and of course spares like fuses and Gorilla Tape...and a few tools.

[Ferryman]

Oh well someone has to say it - with modern outboards I don’t carry a spare engine any more and I’ve been a member of seastart almost since it started, never called them out though.
I just wish I’d thought of it first!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Phil M

I'm going to mention the unmentionable item. Auxiliary means of propulsion. This could be paddles, spare engine, seastart or going out in company, depending on where and how you boat.

There is a myth that this is some sort of great taboo subject on RIBnet going to result in an all out war. In reality a very small number of people:

1. Are unable to accept other people may have a different viewpoint / perception of risk
2. Don’t understand not everyone uses their boat in the same circumstances/environment as they do
3. Will vigorously defend the decision they have already made in the face of whatever argument is made, and will selectively avoid any information about 2 that explains why 1 may be valid!

[Pipster100]

With regards to an auxiliary, I've always carried one on my hard boat, in 10yrs I've used it once when a fuel pickup line in the fuel tank failed, at the time there was no immediate danger but it was a nice feeling to be able to motor home (although much slower) without the requirement of outside assistance. We don't have seastart in Cornwall and I like being self reliant. On my RIB, I haven't carried one yet, but I do have one I'd fit if I was heading off on a trip away from my normal cruising down the Cornish coast to more remote spots. I've always worked of the philosophy of better to be looking at it than for it!! Even if I was a longer distance from home and did require outside assistance the peace of mind of having an auxiliary onboard that could get you out of immediate trouble is comforting. This is my personal view and I totally respect others who don't use auxiliaries. Modern engines are generally very reliable and if you always have them serviced by authorised or competent persons then there's no reason they should fail.

[TWPC]

Thank you all very much for your responses - very helpful and much appreciated.
I've got most of the bits and pieces but do now also have a shopping list...

Poly, you have my sympathy. The responses you describe are in evidence on almost every forum I have visited over the past 10 years or so. Overall, I have found Rib.net to be a great source of info and advice - so thank you all.

[Bigplumbs]

Good knife to cut a prop free

I have not seen mobile phone mentioned but most likely assumed

[Simonh66]

[QUOTE=Bigplumbs;797888]Good knife to cut a prop free

Otherwise known as a safety knife!

[Obsidian]

Not seen hand bearing compass mentioned.

Probably not a huge one if staying within 3 miles of shore, but worth a mention.

[Last Tango]

If you've got 17 rescue services in a 45mile stretch of water I'd just fire in a dozen cans of lager, a couple of bottles of wine and 2 or 3 litres of fuel.
There's always going to be someone to come and tow you home.
Or you could just flag down that supertanker that's heading your way, I'm sure the skipper will be sympathetic towards your plight. (especially if you tell him you were told to be home sharp for tea.)