Emergency evacuation notice.

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Oscarpop

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I am going to write and laminate a list which I will cable tie to our grab bag.
It is going to be a short list of things to get and do before stepping off the boat. The idea being that as I will be in a flap, I will not forget vital things.

The grab bag will have the >24hr pack supplies as well as a spare vhf, batteries etc.

so far the list is:

Mayday
Grab bag
Epirb
Passports
Sat phone

Bearing in mind the grab bag will be fully stocked and supplied, any glaring omissions?
 
Don't forget to make a laminate card telling you to read the laminate card attached to the grab bag. If you're in a flap, you may need to be reminded to read anything!
 
I have quite a well-stocked grab bag, and then in an external pocket of it I have a folded up waterproof bag (like a lightweight canoe sack) for throwing any handy useful items into if there is time.

The main candidate would be any spare clothing lying around - it's the one thing needed in a raft but too bulky to pre-stow in the grab bag (I do have TPAs and some fetching dayglo woolly hats :) ).

For use after rescue, I'd also look to grab whatever wallets and phones were handy in the trash-tray next to the chart table where they tend to accumulate, and finally the "ship's papers" folder on the shelf. Most of the contents are replaceable or unimportant, but it has a pocket in the front where I put all our passports when "going foreign". In case I didn't manage this, the grab bag does contain a laminated sheet with colour photocopies of my passport and a bank card, which might help.

Pete
 
prv said:
I have quite a well-stocked grab bag, and then in an external pocket of it I have a folded up waterproof bag (like a lightweight canoe sack) for throwing any handy useful items into if there is time.

The main candidate would be any spare clothing lying around - it's the one thing needed in a raft but too bulky to pre-stow in the grab bag (I do have TPAs and some fetching dayglo woolly hats :) ).

For use after rescue, I'd also look to grab whatever wallets and phones were handy in the trash-tray next to the chart table where they tend to accumulate, and finally the "ship's papers" folder on the shelf. Most of the contents are replaceable or unimportant, but it has a pocket in the front where I put all our passports when "going foreign". In case I didn't manage this, the grab bag does contain a laminated sheet with colour photocopies of my passport and a bank card, which might help.

Pete
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For English channel I wouldn't bother with food / water but for longer distance fresh water might be useful.

Would also add to the post rescue section a laminated card with details of boat insurers, name, phone number, policy ref etc.
 
jac said:
For English channel I wouldn't bother with food / water but for longer distance fresh water might be useful.
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I have some bottled water, biscuits, and Kendal Mint Cake in the grab bag. You're unlikely to die of dehydration or starvation in the Channel, but it could get uncomfortable. If nothing else, it would be good to be able to swill your mouth out after being sea-sick :). I also can't swallow pills without water.

jac said:
Would also add to the post rescue section a laminated card with details of boat insurers, name, phone number, policy ref etc.
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Good thought. I realised as I posted earlier that the bank card on my sheet is probably an old one (replaced prematurely due to unauthorised transactions) so I need to update that anyway. I'll add the insurance details at the same time.

Pete
 
prv said:
I have some bottled water, biscuits, and Kendal Mint Cake in the grab bag. You're unlikely to die of dehydration or starvation in the Channel, but it could get uncomfortable. If nothing else, it would be good to be able to swill your mouth out after being sea-sick :). I also can't swallow pills without water.



Good thought. I realised as I posted earlier that the bank card on my sheet is probably an old one (replaced prematurely due to unauthorised transactions) so I need to update that anyway. I'll add the insurance details at the same time.

Pete
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Was told on sea survival that you shouldn't eat or drink anything for 24 hours after getting into the raft as it helps the body adjust and just isn't needed. Fair point re the anti seasickness tablets though.
 
jac said:
Was told on sea survival that you shouldn't eat or drink anything for 24 hours after getting into the raft as it helps the body adjust and just isn't needed.
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I'm sure that's true if you're expecting an epic drift like the Robertsons. But I sail in the central Channel, and I have a PLB in the grab bag backed up by a GPS and VHF, further backed up by four parachute rockets (plus hand flares, smokes, sun mirror, strobe light, reflective flag, and god knows what else). If I make it into the liferaft along with my grab bag, I think I have a pretty good expectation of rescue within a small number of hours.

Pete
 
prv said:
I'm sure that's true if you're expecting an epic drift like the Robertsons. But I sail in the central Channel, and I have a PLB in the grab bag backed up by a GPS and VHF, further backed up by four parachute rockets (plus hand flares, smokes, sun mirror, strobe light, reflective flag, and god knows what else). If I make it into the liferaft along with my grab bag, I think I have a pretty good expectation of rescue within a small number of hours.

Pete
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if that lot makes it into the raft with you you're going to need another raft for the rest of the crew!!!!
 
jac said:
if that lot makes it into the raft with you you're going to need another raft for the rest of the crew!!!!
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Heh. It's a standard McMurdo grab bag, albeit the large one, so somebody thinks it's an acceptable size. On the other hand, we have a four-man raft and generally sail with three people on board, so arguably there's an extra seat :)

Pete
 
if sailing abroad what about your a laminated sheet with your basic details and boats name etc in the local languages in case they do not speak English
 
Chalker said:
Have you ever sat in a 4 man liferaft? 2 is cosy!
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So is six! Couple of locals, long time seamen/RNLI/fishermen did the Robert Gordon centre course, including liferaft at sea. Everyone seasick in fairly short order.

I would have a mayday script by the radio, sometimes adrenaline upsets clear thinking and you might have only one go at it.
 
prv said:
Heh. It's a standard McMurdo grab bag, albeit the large one, so somebody thinks it's an acceptable size. On the other hand, we have a four-man raft and generally sail with three people on board, so arguably there's an extra seat :)

Pete
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Whenever you get the chance (boat show or wherever) try sitting in a 4 person raft, then try fitting 2 or 3 more people in all wearing full sailing gear and lifejackets - Liferafts are small, very small.
 
srm said:
Whenever you get the chance (boat show or wherever) try sitting in a 4 person raft, then try fitting 2 or 3 more people in all wearing full sailing gear and lifejackets - Liferafts are small, very small.
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I'm well aware of that. I wasn't being entirely serious, hence the smiley. Jac and I were joking about my "enormous" grab bag because I have several ways of attracting attention; in reality it isn't actually all that large.

Pete
 
srm said:
Whenever you get the chance (boat show or wherever) try sitting in a 4 person raft, then try fitting 2 or 3 more people in all wearing full sailing gear and lifejackets - Liferafts are small, very small.
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Also worth noting that they are designed incorporating the weight of crew as part of the stability. Put one person in an 8 man raft and it's not that stable so don't over buy. If you sail with 4 on board - get a 4 man liferaft - 6 is you take guests occasionally.
 
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