GL: Man lost in the Gulf - some lessons

[Ron Rogers]

Excellent advice! As a single-hander, I have added one additional item: an 
ACR personal EPIRB. George, my Golden Retriever, would be upset that I had 
left him and would run around barking, however he has yet to master the VHF.

Ron Rogers

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John & Judy Gill" <twojscom at quadnet.net>


| Joe Manelis of Forever Young asks if there are (is) any other advise
| from seasoned skippers.
|
| YES.  Before we departed on our America's Great Loop Cruise, my
| cousin who is a Tow Boat Captain with an unlimited tonnage license
| and a Kings Point gradate, sent us his best wishes for a safe journey
| and a special safety package.  Inside were 4 ea SOSuspenders, 4
| pealess whistles and 4 clip on battery operated strobe lights, both
| attached to the inflatable life vests.  They are comfortable and
| could save your life -- is there something about that you don't
| understand!!!
|
| If the man lost at sea had been so equipped, he might have had a
| chance of survival or at least his next of kin would have been able
| to give him a decent burial.  Inflate the life vest, give the whistle
| 5 blasts, turn on the strobe light and keep repeating the 5 whistle
| blasts (you can not yell louder than the engine noise, but a whistle
| might be heard).
|
| I couldn't agree with Joe Manelis more,  when in doubt, stay in port
| or on the hook.  If you can't have two people at the helm station --
| don't cruise at night and certainly not in foul weather!