Bryans list was extremely thorough. Some liferaft companies are putting pretty good basic survival gear pre packed in the raft. I saw quite a few 6 man valise style rafts that had evrything but the kitchen sink as an option to pack into the raft.
I think the cheapest, most effective thing for any bluewater guy to purchase is one of the personal locators. I picked up an aquafix 406 with GPS this year at the Newport Boatshow for $459.00 on the last day of the show. The boatshow special was $519.00, but the guy was willing to deal on the last day, a common practice at the shows. This is an extremely affordable item to add . The personal ones can go with you onto any boat you may board, and with the gps will give the search and rescue efforts your lat/lon, enabling them to pinpoint within 100 yards+/- or so your location. With this 1 piece of equipment, it will hopefully render all those other things in the list almost unnecessary.... |