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Offshore Ditch Kit (Featured in Latitudes & Attitudes October 2008 Issue) Every boat that ventures offshore needs a ditch kit. Ours contains a VHF radio, a GPS, flashlights, a water-activated strobe, floating line, and spare batteries. We store the items in a floating water-jug. It is easy to open it & check if any items have been removed. Attach the boat's EPIRB and our strobe light to one of the life jackets on board. Put the flares from the sailboat in the water-jug. Tie the water-jug inside the life jacket and clip to the back stay with the tether. (Don't try to travel on aircraft with boat flares - it is illegal.) If someone falls overboard, throw the life jacket with ditch kit attached towards them. Water activates the EPIRB and strobe, & the floating line is easy to see and grab. The victim can use the flares &/or the VHF radio to relay their position to us and the Coast Guard, enabling us to rescue them even on a dark, stormy night. Take the ditch kit along if you abandon ship. With the articles removed, the water-jug can store rain water, be used as a bailing bucket, and for other functions aboard the raft. For offshore deliveries, we substitute an aircraft hand-held VHF radio for the boat radio. Commercial & military aircraft monitor emergency frequency 121.5 (& chitchat on 123.45). The range from water to aircraft flying by can be over 200NM. (VHF radios that use 6 or 8 AA batteries can be directly plugged into the sailboat's 12V DC system and used with the batteries disconnected). Placing cardboard between batteries prevents inadvertent operation of all items. It helps to store them in individual zip-lock bags. Take your ditch kit in the dinghy when you go ashore. The VHF helps communicate with those remaining on the sailboat and others in the group. Flashlights are required (& handy) on dinghies at night. In crowded anchorages when returning after dark, attach the strobe light to the back stay turned on to help locate YOUR sailboat. The ditch kit travels well, often inside a checked duffel bag. Hopefully you will only use the ditch kit & water-jug for mixing margarita's, but having the ditch kit and its contents should increase your confidence when venturing offshore. Bob@BVIBob.com. |
| The Offshore Ditch Kit comes in either an insulated water-jug or a clear cannister which enables seeing the contents. It includes floating line, a tether, water-activated strobe, and a flashlight. ($59 plus shipping). We can add a GPS ($99) and/or a marine VHF radio ($99). Aircraft VHF radios cost $299. Go figure. The Lucky Lure Fishing Kit ($69 plus shipping) comes with 200 feet of line, swivels, bungee cord, and two lucky lures. Additional lures are available for $10 each. Click above link to read an article about the fishing kit in Cruising World Magazine. Please contact us to custom design your order. |
| 1-877-789-7245(SAIL) Cellphone 972-757-6777 http://www.BVIBob.com e-mail: Bob@BVIBob.com |
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Bare-Boat Charter Tips Tips to make your charter more enjoyable:
E-mail Bob@BVIBob.com, or call 1-877-789-7245 (SAIL) We want this to be your Best Vacation Ever! |
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Advantages of sailing with us:
Price comparison (based on a major charter company's 2008 brochure): Christmas Week $3595 vs: $5670; Save $2075! Spring Break Week $2899 vs: $5215; Save $2316! Off-Season Savings can be even more! E-mail Bob@BVIBob.com. 1-877-789-7245(SAIL). We want this to be your Best Vacation Ever! |