Boat Basics | Maydays and Liferafts | Ep. 146

Boat Basics | Maydays and Liferafts | Ep. 146
In this fifth and final installment in our series on boating safety, we address the scenario of abandoning ship. We talk not only about issuing a mayday call and life rafts, but making sure you have enough safety gear in your ditch bag, use of the VHF radio, and the importance of an EPIRB. No one likes to dwell on the realities of leaving the comfort and security of your boat, but by preparing for the worst, you can feel more comfortable for the better times.
Be sure to also check out the other videos in our boating safety playlist, including topics such as safe boat design, lifejackets, bilge pumps, seacocks, and life rafts.
Also, be sure to check out our other boating how to videos on our channel. We cover a wide range of topics, such as varnishing, solar power, and navigation electronics. We also post regularly on our sailing adventures onboard our Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 ‘Sea Rose’.
Lastly, check out our blog site - www.lifefourpointzero.com. We periodically post written stories and pictures of our sailing adventures on our blog.
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Twitter at: / life4point0
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:00 VHF Communications
1:33 MAYDAY
2:02 Ditch Bags
2:49 Survival Gear
3:06 EPIRBs
4:21 Liferafts
6:53 Liferaft Certification
7:42 Wrap up
Music credits:
Broken Water (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever

[@evghenii4594]

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[@windy1973]

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[@LifeFourPointZero]

Thanks!

[@brownnoise357]

Good point about the Valise liferafts being less susceptible to getting Stolen. Useful additions for ditching, is guardrail stacked Water containers 3/4 full of water to pull off the back of the boat, to have float and then tied to the Liferaft. plus a rainwater capture system t add to containers. A Collapsible bucket to use as a toilet , and wet wipes and microfibre cloths. and use the bucket by adding some drops of washing up detergent, so when chucking over the side, the detergent keeps Sharks well away. Also cheap Thermal Blankets for helping to keep warmmin the Liferaft. You can order extra flare packs, but extra flares in a water tight container can store lots of extra out of date flares - i have never had out of Date flares that have been kept Cool and Dry Ever Fail to work, even when years out of Date, including the rocket launched Parachute Flares. If they look like they've been well kept and Dry, grab them. if able to use your inflatable tender tied to the Liferaft as well with its outboard ( a good argument for having a lighter single cylinder 4 stroke of say 6 hp, then a 5 gallon Fuel can that floats, offers a massive increase in the amount of stuff you can get off the boat before it goes down. also, if you get close to land, 25 litres of fuel, can get up to 250 miles (Tohatsu / Mercury ) at over 10 miles per litre at Full Throttle. without propulsion, approaching Coastlines can be Really Dodgy Frankly. How you irganise Storage of food etc close to the galley, can make a huge difference in the speed you can pass stuff up the Companionway up into the Cockpit, and if you cant plug leaks and pump out, having an order of the most urgent at the top Stuff evacuation List can be pretty important to have ready to go. Ive only ever lost one Sailboat - after an attack by Wreckers- but having given it some thought, things like hand operated water desalinators start getting included in the options list along with - We Need a Bigger Lifeboat ! Best Wishes, Fair Winds, and Safe Travels. Bob. 👍⛵️✨️✨️✨️❤️

[@LifeFourPointZero]

All terrific suggestions - thank you for your comments and contribution to an important topic.