Emergency Gear

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

All the gear we really, truly, seriously hope we wasted money buying. But should we ever need it, we want it to work perfectly!

How to Make Your Ditch Bag

Published on April 3, 2020; last updated on March 30, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

If you need to leave your boat in an emergency, you’ll want to have everything you need close at hand. Here’s how to make your own ditch bag. [More] How to Make Your Ditch Bag

Cheap Boat Insurance – A Bilge Alarm

Published on December 27, 2019; last updated on December 20, 2019 by Carolyn Shearlock

A boat can sink in minutes before you’re even aware water is coming in. Learn how to pick a bilge alarm that could save your boat. [More] Cheap Boat Insurance – A Bilge Alarm

Abandoning Our Boat In Mexican Waters

Published on March 2, 2019; last updated on June 30, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Read one cruiser’s harrowing story of abandoning their boat in a Gulf of Mexico Storm. What did they do right? And what do they wish they had done? [More] Abandoning Our Boat In Mexican Waters

Where to Put Your Ditch Bag

Published on January 18, 2019; last updated on May 28, 2019 by Carolyn Shearlock

Learn where to put your ditch bag on your boat so that you’ll be able to put it into the life raft if you ever need it. Important info! [More] Where to Put Your Ditch Bag

Where to Store the Ditch Bag

Published on November 26, 2018; last updated on September 3, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Where and how to store your boat’s ditch bag so that you can grab it instantly, plus five tips so it’s ready for an emergency and will serve you well. [More] Where to Store the Ditch Bag

Choosing Your Emergency Contact

Published on October 22, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

What to know in choosing your emergency contact for your EPIRB, float plan and medical emergency, including what information to give each one. [More] Choosing Your Emergency Contact

Emergency Info

Published on September 6, 2018; last updated on September 8, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to provide the information needed for someone else to rescue your boat in an emergency. It costs less than $5 and only takes a couple hours to put together, but could save your boat some day. [More] Emergency Info

Where Are the Wood Plugs?

Published on August 15, 2018; last updated on September 8, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Seconds count in an emergency. Are you really ready? Can you lay your hands on everything IMMEDIATELY? [More] Where Are the Wood Plugs?

Can You Buy Safety?

Published on August 5, 2018; last updated on September 21, 2018 by Lin Pardey

Every potential blue water voyager, every sailor who wants to go beyond the sight of land is faced with the need to evaluate which, use it only in emergency, gear they should carry. [More] Can You Buy Safety?