Grab Bags

[Dreamers]

Going to pack the Grab Bag this weekend for coastal cruising (don't think I will bother with the shark repellant - but then I we are going to the West Country so perhaps).

What do you have in your Grab Bag - and what do you think you really should have?

 

[ccscott49]

1) Waterproof VHF, or in a waterproof baggie.
2) Flares, full complement
3) Passport/money/credit cards, All crews aswell.
4) Firstaid kit in baggie.
5) Mobile phone, in baggie.
6) Knife.
7) Water. (normally have about five litres in mine, for coastal work, in STRONG plastic bottles.)
8) Seasick pills.
9) Sun cream.
10) Choccy bars in baggies.
11) Waterproof Handheld GPS. or in baggie.
12) Survival bags, one per crew. +2.
13) Waterproof torch.
14) Spare batteries for all electronics and torch, including mobile phone.
15) Spare lifejacket, tee shirt and hats.
16) Big chart of area cruising in. (More for interest than anything else)
17) Some other stuff, depending on cruising area and time before the boat goes down. But for the west country, I think this would be ample. I pacxk everything in waterproof bags, taped up, even the water, (just in case one bursts) I'm sure there is a whole bunch of stuff somepeople carry.

 

[ToMo]

Thats not a grab bag you're on about...its more like a deck cargo container! <CG>
TôMö
p.s. you could propably double the list and still miss something!

 

[Vasco]

Do you really carry all that in a sealed waterproof bag everytime you go sailing , even only coastal sailing? Or that's just a list of stuff you would jam into the bag if time came?

 

[Twister_Ken]

If you wear spex, don't forget to put a spare pair in. They're prime candidates for going missing in an abandon ship moment.

 

[jonic]

Nicola has insisted on chocolate and lipsalve. Honestly.



http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/

 

[Guest]

In addition to csscott's 17 items I add h/h gps with spare batteries in aquapack and blankets if there is room.

I have a couple of orange laminated cards with "abandon ship" items on one side and the textbook mayday bx on the reverse. Provided no-one is injured then each person is resposible for organising something -hopefully would prevent the running round in circles thing.

 

[escape]

I thought it was a sae anchor.
i wouldn't want to make the leap into the wet stuff holding that bag ;~)

 

[ccscott49]

The grab bag floats!! As any grab bag should.

 

[ccscott49]

It's all in individual bags! Yes, I do carry all that in the bag each time I go out. Most of the stuff lives in there if you need it, you take it out use it and put it back, on pain of retribution from me you do! The GPS, H/H, torch are all waterproof, The first aid kit is also, the mobile phone lives in an aquapac all the time onboard, (I've dropped one over the side!) Flares are waterproof? I pack mine in plastic! I really believe in this kind of thing, 26 years working offshore in the oilfield teaches you quite a lot, safety of your own bum being one of the many things! What is the point of a grab bag if you have to pack it in an emergency? Grab bag meaning you grab it and go!!! One guy mentioned lipsalve, damn good idea! It will be included in my first aid kit, you need to be as comfortable as possible, chocolate is not just for energy, it's comfort food. I also go as far as to have an extra epirb packed in the liferaft!

 

[ToMo]

...I was just thinging that if we all go on adding what would be good to have in the grab bag, we'll need to tow something like the QEII around with us!

 

[ccscott49]

Grab bags on Englander are sacrosanct, I would add only what I can at the time, dependant where I am, everything else stays in there, it's emergency equipment and is treated as such. If you have time to load up the liferaft with everything you can, you may have time to save the boat!

 

[Viking]

I should bloody well hope so. Its no good filling it, then its to heavy float!
For 'coastal' sailing - Aways in the grab bag - Boats papers, small first aid kit, flares, (spareglasses if you need them). Then add before departing. Keys, wallets, mobile phones etc.
Extra items kept by the bag - handheld VHF, snacks and a drink and if you can grab something extra to keep you warm ie bedcover, sleepbag etc.

 

[ccscott49]

Your right, I should add extra specs to my grab bag, I'm lost without mine!

 

[Guest]

>Nicola has insisted on chocolate and lipsalve. Honestly.

Nicola sounds like a very sensible woman... Cracked lips are a misery and what better than choco for energy boosts in those low moments?

"Whoops... I'm falling in love with narrowboating..."

 

[jonic]

Nooooooo ..........don't encourage her.......you'll blow my argument.

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/

 

[Miker]

How big is this grab bag? NM

NM

 

[escape]

Re: How big is this grab bag? NM

I think it must be Bransons old balloon ;-))

 

[Mirelle]

Nothing

There is no need for one, at any rate when cruising on the coats of Europe. It is just a distraction from the serious business of (a) keeping the boat afloat then (b) abandoning her.

Merchant ships don't carry grab bags for their crews, yet ships get abandoned in a hurry, hundreds of miles from land, usualy into very similar liferafts.

 

[ToMo]

Re: Nothing

Ooh I smell another fight developing!....so this is were I'll take my leave of this thread - I did enough damage last time I got involved!
TôMö