Bait&Sea
Active Member
I have a well maintained year 2000 18' Fiberglass with kicker that I use regularily around Vancouver/HoweSound (winter fishing included) and run accross to the Hump/Thrasher in the spring on good weather days. I have been reading about cold water survival to prepare myself and am aware that our local waters drop down to 7c at times which is a very dangerous place to be.
I was going to pick up immersion suits with the thought that we would don them in the event things were getting uncomfortable weather/conditions wise. But I dont really think it would be realistic to operate the boat wearing that type of suit. I think striking an object while cruising is just as likely if not more likely as getting caught in bad weather/conditions. Now I am thinking of anti exposure (floater) suits instead, as we could wear them more of the time but I am concerned about the level of protection they would offer in the event we did end up in the water.
I am currently studying the ROC(M) course and am installing DSC VHF with one of the best 8' antennae I could find. As I study the ROCM I am thinking if operated correctly the VHF will allow me to give CG and other vessels a "heads up" in the event I am in a very bad scenario, followed by DSC Distress call and Mayday if we are going in the water hopefully reducing assistance time to make the floater suits suffice.
I also am putting together a ditch bag with my handheld VHF in it, and monitor weather very regularily when out.
So many scenarios possible its hard to know what safety gear would be best.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Chris
I was going to pick up immersion suits with the thought that we would don them in the event things were getting uncomfortable weather/conditions wise. But I dont really think it would be realistic to operate the boat wearing that type of suit. I think striking an object while cruising is just as likely if not more likely as getting caught in bad weather/conditions. Now I am thinking of anti exposure (floater) suits instead, as we could wear them more of the time but I am concerned about the level of protection they would offer in the event we did end up in the water.
I am currently studying the ROC(M) course and am installing DSC VHF with one of the best 8' antennae I could find. As I study the ROCM I am thinking if operated correctly the VHF will allow me to give CG and other vessels a "heads up" in the event I am in a very bad scenario, followed by DSC Distress call and Mayday if we are going in the water hopefully reducing assistance time to make the floater suits suffice.
I also am putting together a ditch bag with my handheld VHF in it, and monitor weather very regularily when out.
So many scenarios possible its hard to know what safety gear would be best.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Chris