Safety equipment queries

[Kukri]

I’d welcome some advice. I may be missing something obvious!

1. EPIRB: I don’t have a “float free” liferaft. It’s a “nice to have”, certainly but a valise, in the cockpit locker designed for it, is better than nothing. So a float free EPIRB seems a bit OTT. Better a regular EPIRB in the grab bag?

2. Danbuoy: There is a baffling range of these available. Inflatable, collapsible, etc. Given that the boat has room for one, which she does, why not a RORC type?

3. PLBs and AIS beacons. Better with AIS/DSC beacons tucked into lifejackets?

Thanks in advance

 

[Tranona]

I’d welcome some advice. I may be missing something obvious!

1. EPIRB: I don’t have a “float free” liferaft. It’s a “nice to have”, certainly but a valise, in the cockpit locker designed for it, is better than nothing. So a float free EPIRB seems a bit OTT. Better a regular EPIRB in the grab bag?


Thanks in advance

Float free have a value for vessels that are likely to founder, or particularly capsize suddenly such as small(ish) fishing boats. This rarely happens with yachts for obvious reasons - indeed the use of either EPIRB or liferaft is extremely rare and mostly there is time to prepare to use them. Personally I don't think a float free raft is a "nice to have" for a number of reasons, particularly because the release only operates when it is well under water and on most yachts it is difficult if not impossible to mount it in a location where it could deploy freely. Boring things like masts and rigging in the way. You see most fishing boats mount theirs on the wheelhouse roof or in another location where the raft can float free.

 

[RJJ]

I’d welcome some advice. I may be missing something obvious!

1. EPIRB: I don’t have a “float free” liferaft. It’s a “nice to have”, certainly but a valise, in the cockpit locker designed for it, is better than nothing. So a float free EPIRB seems a bit OTT. Better a regular EPIRB in the grab bag?

2. Danbuoy: There is a baffling range of these available. Inflatable, collapsible, etc. Given that the boat has room for one, which she does, why not a RORC type?

3. PLBs and AIS beacons. Better with AIS/DSC beacons tucked into lifejackets?

Thanks in advance

1. I have a "grab" EPIRB prominently mounted above the chart table. My concern with a float-free device (as per liferaft) is the risk of getting yanked off either by a stray rope, or by a hiauge wave, or some other misdemeanour. Or getting damaged and then you don't notice, and then it doesn't work. yes, I do worry what happens if the keel falls off and she goes over in two seconds.

2. For me, the plastimo manual extending variety. I don't really see the advantage of something that needs servicing. I dread trying to deploy something and it just goes pfffft. When we go offshore, I pull the neck out and it's permanently rigged with a tube over the flag / light.

 

[awol]

"It would be more seemly to drown like a gentleman." Blondie Hasler, 1956

 

[ip485]

As you will know I am sure should the worst happen, you will be concerned with either recovering a person, or recovering the entire crew.

Your strategy will follow accordingly.

A man over board is remarkably difficult to find. In our waters there is a significant risk by the time you do they will be severly hypothermic. Time is of the essence. Dan bouys only work if they can be seen. That is why height is important. They are pretty much useless at night without a strobe on the staff. AIS etc is all very well but the key is that you can recover the person. I accept in inshore waters where there is a realsitic chance of getting services to the person in time these would / could be helpful. However, I think the most useful personal safety device is a personal AIS beacon.

McMurdo S20 Lifejacket AIS Beacon | Force 4 Chandlery

I carry one for everyone on board and anyone on deck at night is required to have it on their person - no exceptions.

As to the whole crew, if and once you have left the yacht an EPIRB is most vital safety aid. It is your most cruscial chance of rescue and need to be with you, not with the yacht, because all that matters is homing in on the people.

Various other products may be useful.

 

[pyrojames]

I have a float free raft stored just ahead of the mast, and a non float free EPIRB just inside the doghouse, grabable from the cockpit.

I also have a danbouy and attached lifebuoy on the back stay, but added a jonbouy in the cockpit. The dan bouy is my preferred day time option.

Finally, AISmob is at the top of the new equipment list, and I hope to be able to get a set for the full crew by July, should the channel classics go ahead. I think these give the best option for search and recovery of all the safety kit available.

 

[Kukri]

Thanks everyone.

Non float free EPIRB and RORC danbuoy it shall be.

I also carry a Jonbuoy. And a MOBMat. The reason for the MOBMat is that it is a back up to the Jonbuoy, and can be used for practice. The halyards all reach the water and have self tailing winches at the mast, with a Harken handy billy and carbine hooks as recommended by Duncan Kent.

 

[dunedin]

We have MOB1 AIS beacons in our primary lifejackets. But not a lot of use for singlehanding

Hence we have two PLBs as well. A current one and one with a slightly (in theory) out of date battery, but showing full strength on test.
These are more multi-purpose than an EPIRB, as can keep in pocket, and just as effective in coastal waters (less so if mid ocean and perhaps multi days before rescue).
Think the crew of Rambler 100 only got rescued near the Fastnet due to some crew having a PLB in their pocket.

Don‘t carry a danbuoy as (a) useless when solo (b) tend to be a long way past before can be dropped when short handed. Pressing the red MOB button on the plotter and use of MOB1 AIS seems faster and more effective.

 

[Frank Holden]

EPIRBs and Eggs?
Long sea voyage in prospect, Andrew?

 

[Kukri]

EPIRBs and Eggs?
Long sea voyage in prospect, Andrew?

Just going stir crazy in lockdown

 

[Frank Holden]

I know the feeling.... I haven't even seen the sea since the end of '19.... let alone my boat.

What I have .... EPIRB at chart table, EPIRB packed with liferaft which isn't float free, hand held DSC VHF at the chart table.

No Dan buoy.

EPIRB in raft? Recall a fishing boat sinking off NW Tasmania about 20 years ago...close to shore...shallow water... offshore breeze. Wreck found soon after.... two epirbs still in wheelhouse.... raft and two bodies found in the Flinders group ( NE Tasmania) long time later.... poor buggers were probably in sight of land and passing shipping until they died.