Trip planning for boaters is simply preparing for a worse case scenario. Make sure you have appropriate life jackets or survival suits on board, and consider equipping them with emergency signaling, such as a whistle, mirror, or light. Does your boat carry a VHF-FM radio or other means of communication? Should you consider a life raft or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)? These are all important questions that should be answered prior to getting underway.
Many operators equip their boats with a “Ditch Bag” or onboard Emergency Kit loaded with anything and everything they might need should they have to abandon ship or spend the night on a lonely shore. Consider the following basics, then customize for the season and your boating location:
- Waterproof portable VHF marine band radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Additional signaling devices: flares, whistle, personal locator beacon, fire starters
- Dry change of clothes
- Emergency blankets
- High-energy snacks
- Fresh water
Stow these materials in a waterproof bag or container to protect them from rain, sleet, snow or spray. Keep it handy to grab at a moment’s notice.
The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters to “Boat Responsibly!” For more information and tips on boating safety, visit uscgboating.org.
