Help finding a list of boat safety items.

[Austintatious]

Hi all... I am looking for a list of considerations for doing some offshore fishing.

I am a safety minded person... for one I don't want to die but I like to avoid hassles as well!

I have a 19' aluminum Center console that has really deep sides w/ a 90 Hp merc. I am in the process of cleaning it up/ restoring it and outfitting it for at least some bay fishing. We May want to venture out to a rig if possible ( if it isn't too rough)

I have a few things in mind in addition to all the required safety gear:

Aerial Flares
Fog horn
2 extra 6hp Motors on transom
Extra 6 gallons of fuel
Plenty of water
VHF radio
GPS ( on fish finder)
Buckets (for bailing if the need arises)
Signal mirror
Emergency blankets ( little silver ones)

Is there anything else you would add to the list? Is there anywhere online that I can visit to be sure I am prepared in the event something bad happens?

I will do all I can to prevent being adrift, sinking, tipping, burning, getting lost, ETC... but I still want to be prepared for any of them.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

You don't say where you boat- Gulf of Mexico? You mentined a 'rig'

First, a 19-footer isn't real big for offshore use, so hopefully you'll be keeping a close eye on weather and water conditions. Only a couple of things I'd recommend.

Make sure your experience matches your ambition. Are you a new boater?

Hand-held GPS and VHF in addition to the mounted units you have. Signal flares are good but don't work great in daylight- add smoke cans. A whistle and strobe light on every PFD. Personal locator beacon (EPIRB or SPOT) if you like to spend money. Sea anchor.

File a float plan and stick to it. If you have cell phone reception out there (or for as long as you do) check in with somebody periodically. Tell them where you are.

Good luck!

 

[karatejoe]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

I cant speak for all areas but on the Gulf ( SW Fl.) cell phones seem to lose signal even while the beach is 800 yards away.
Personally I would not go to far offshore in a 19 ft. boat or you might just be using all your emergency equipment. But, I have seen people do it. They are an accident waiting to happen.
Ive been out there. Once your out there you realize its a lot of water for a 19 ft. boat. And then when a 12 FT. Tiger shark swims next to you ..in the immortal words of sheriff Brody ( Jaws) " we need a bigger boat! "

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300472

 

[Austintatious]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

Thanks guys. I have been around boats and the water all my life. I have been on many offshore races on sailboats and in some really bad weather. Being out on a motor boat is more intimidating to me because I am now dependent on the motor. I am a Pilot by trade so I can read weather fairly well.

I know a 19 foot boat is not very big for the ocean. This boat however has very deep sidewalls ( about 30 inches) and I feel confident that it will handle bay fishing and the blue water as well if the conditions aren't fierce. I already have a large sea anchor.

I have a sea anchor and will definitely be equipping all life vest with whistles and strobes.

Thanks for the advice on the Smoke cans!

 

[Lucraft]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

Have you considered a set of tools tailored to common problems/fixes with your main outboard? Stuff like wrenches, pliers, wire cutters/strippers/crimpers, crimps, lengths of wire, lengths of fuel hose, etc. Stuff to fix basic mechanical problems. Don't forget the spare spark plugs.

This isn't meant to insult your common sense, but I think one of the most overlooked safety procedures is informing your passengers, if there are any. Make sure everyone on the boat knows where the fire extinguisher is, the throw ring, the PFDs if they aren't wearing them, the Distress button on the VHF and how to use it, etc. Make sure they know to stay calm and perform as needed if someone goes overboard or if there's an accident. Could go a long way to increasing your safety..

I cant speak for all areas but on the Gulf ( SW Fl.) cell phones seem to lose signal even while the beach is 800 yards away.

Depends on where you are. I get 3 bars of signal 9 miles out from the St. Aug inlet, but only 1-2 bars in my house. figures..

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

Just one years ago.

http://cbs5.com/sports/oakland.Raider.anchor.2.969565.html

The one common thread of all the experts was too small of boat. That was the first mistake.

If your _ell bent on doing this, then go with a group of boats, with some that are of size. Stay in radio contact at all times (the larger boats have radar and will keep you on screen) and YOU ALL COME IN TOGETHER.

Check your local yacht clubs and marines they will post when they are going out. Well at least they did 20+ years ago when i lived down there.

"Safety in numbers"

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

I did a quick Google search when I went to purchase the items required for my boat. Found what I needed (actually ended up knowing it all already, the website just reinforced what I thought) bought a few more non essential items. Bought en extra Fire Extinguisher, and made sure it met or exceeded the minimums required by law.

 

[And-Con]

Re: Help finding a list of boat safety items.

Also i didn't see it on your list, a good anchor is an indispensable safety feature, and while the gulf can be very deep, there are many tales of people tying mono-filament fishing line to the anchor rode to gain the needed length. Also, if rig fishing never NEVER never NEVER tie the stern off, anchor off the stern etc. Really, unless you're at a dock, or double anchoring (at the beach) never tie off the stern.

The presence of oil rigs means there are tankers, and while you will most likely never see the ship itself, the wake will travel for miles and swamp you, just a nice reassuring gesture.

If you do indeed intend to go into the gulf-on any size boat- get an epirb, preferably in a float off bracket that will auto activate. It will not be the cheapest option, but I will never go offshore without one again-too much can happen

I assume your boat has a bilge pump, if not put one in. Then buy another, mount it slightly higher than the first, and get the highest capacity you can, put both on separate float switches, but hook the bigger one to a horn of some sort so you know its on.

Basic first aid kit and knowledge of how to use whats in it.
Binoculars aren't just for novelty, and in some cases can be invaluable.
I may have reiterated what others have said, and some of this can be very basic so no intent on insulting your intelligence, but just trying to make sure you're safe.

Really, just think before acting and you'll do fine.