Life Raft and Safety Over-board Kit.

Life Raft and Safety Over-board Kit.

I have a small life raft in my boat and an Over-board Pak that goes with it. If you coastal sail you should have these.

The size of raft should be large enough for you and your passengers. They come in different sizes and with different accessories; you need to pick one that fits your need.

The Over-board kit: what should it have? Many have no idea what needs to be in one. We seldom go offshore, so my kit is very basic. It can easily be added to for longer trips.

The Kit has:

1.      Sunscreen

2.      Bottled water

3.      Whistle

4.      Signal mirror

5.      First aid kit… with matches in side.

6.      Distress Flag.

7.      Bailing cup and sponge

8.      Plastic jacket

9.      Flash light-waterproof with lanyard on it.

10.   Leatherman type all-purpose tool

11.   Distress Signal and or cell phone.

The kit is in one of those waterproof, high color boat boxes that seal and float. My cell phone and wallet goes in the box to keep it safe and dry when we go out. Life raft and box are stored together and both are easily accessible. They are grabbing ready.

You have to check a kit like this regularly. You need to replace the water, and check the batteries about every 2 months.

These are just basics you should have to go along with a life raft.