Safety Equipment - EPIRB/Life Raft?

marsimi · 03-20-2005, 08:39 PM

General question.

I fish off shore - 40 to 60 miles from the inlet about 8 times per year ... maybe more this year. I currently have the standard off-shore life jackets, flare gun, flares, whistles etc.

My wife has asked me to purchase an EPIRB and even a life raft to make sure that "my son" is safe. Does anyone have one or both of these - and while I am all about being as safe as possible for the recreational fisherman who "tries" to pick good days only would both of these pieces of equipment be necessary.

For the EPIRB I was considering an ACR Global Fix and was looking at a "coastal" life raft as opposed to an offshore raft - appears to be about 1K difference in price.

Any suggestions here would be appreciated.

undisputed · 03-20-2005, 09:19 PM

you spend all that money to go
you take your son
getting him home is more important then anything else
spend the extra grand and get the good raft (you may never have to use it them it is a waste of money , but that one freek time and you climb on in that grand will be the farthes thing on your mind, unless you did not spend it.)

its a big ocean (peace of mind is worth all the money in the world)

MakoMike · 03-21-2005, 12:30 PM

Necessary? No, Prudent? yes. The epirb is well worth the money and the raft isn't worth anything, until you need it (I hope you never do) I have both, but go offshor probably more than you do, but don't forget you can get in trouble close to shore as well. IMHO, gte the SOLAS raft, it will be worth the extra $$ if you ever need it.

thetackletrap · 03-22-2005, 11:55 AM

I'm not real familiar with all the life rafts out there and I have never been in one. I hope I never have to get in one as well. I would suggest checking some out first hand inflated so you can compare them and see which ones have the accessories that you will need. We are using a Wilson and it seems to be built really good, and the guys running the show there are real pros. You can also get them packed with what you think you may need. Don't forget extra flares, hand helds, even energy gel could help, you never know.

As for considering to purchase one go for it. No price is worth your life. You know when things go bad, they really go bad. You tell yourself that there will be other people next to you outhere, but you can't count on it. You could be only a mile out, but in cold water I know I can't swim 1 mile. Heck I couldn't swimm a couple hundred yards. All it takes is engine fire, hitting a log and putting a hole in your boat, etc. etc. It happens when you least expect it and when its least convenient.

Megabyte · 04-05-2005, 03:10 PM

One bit of advice that was give to me regarding life rafts...

"Never climb DOWN into a life raft.
Always climb UP into one."

Many a mariner who has abandoned-ship was rescued... only to have his vessel recovered sitting on a beach somewhere. The crew panicked and got into the raft, as their vessel floated away.

The point being... Don't abandon ship so long as your vessel is still afloat. Make preparations... get the raft ready (with the painter attached), but don't bail-out unless the vessel is going down.

Made sense to me.

Mist-Rest · 04-05-2005, 03:36 PM

Any links to sites that sell rafts to compare?

intruder · 04-05-2005, 03:43 PM

Great question, I recommend purchasing the higher quality of all safety equipment. Equally important is to familarize yourself with how to use it and maintaining it every year. I agree with Undisputeds comments.

marsimi · 04-06-2005, 09:55 PM

Well - I did get the ACR Global Fix EPIRB .... still looking at life rafts - there are more of these then there is tackle.

MakoMike · 04-07-2005, 12:42 PM

If you limit you search to SOLAS rafts, it noarrows it down considerably.

Miles Offshore · 04-08-2005, 08:13 PM

I work for the navy (civilian) and one of our groups jobs are the recertifications/testing of life rafts for the whole us atlantic fleet.also some coast guard, air force and army as well. the navy uses mainly Switlik and Goodyear. I can and will be willing to bet all my hard earned moneys that DOD does more testing, r and d, training etc to protect our warriors than anybody-organization etc. . The rafts the navy uses are the real deal IMHO. (been looking at the new 50 man switlik,lol) I dont own one and have no experiance with the solas or other brands (did have some witrh goodrich several years back) but thought for this discussion this info might be useful. craig

03-20-2005, 08:39 PM	#1
marsimi I wear cool logos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 59 Credits: 1,254.0	Safety Equipment - EPIRB/Life Raft? General question. I fish off shore - 40 to 60 miles from the inlet about 8 times per year ... maybe more this year. I currently have the standard off-shore life jackets, flare gun, flares, whistles etc. My wife has asked me to purchase an EPIRB and even a life raft to make sure that "my son" is safe. Does anyone have one or both of these - and while I am all about being as safe as possible for the recreational fisherman who "tries" to pick good days only would both of these pieces of equipment be necessary. For the EPIRB I was considering an ACR Global Fix and was looking at a "coastal" life raft as opposed to an offshore raft - appears to be about 1K difference in price. Any suggestions here would be appreciated.

03-22-2005, 11:55 AM	#4
thetackletrap Crab mustard is good Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Now in Somers Point, NJ Posts: 761 Credits: 3,636.2 Occupation: Sell tackle for no profit:)	I'm not real familiar with all the life rafts out there and I have never been in one. I hope I never have to get in one as well. I would suggest checking some out first hand inflated so you can compare them and see which ones have the accessories that you will need. We are using a Wilson and it seems to be built really good, and the guys running the show there are real pros. You can also get them packed with what you think you may need. Don't forget extra flares, hand helds, even energy gel could help, you never know. As for considering to purchase one go for it. No price is worth your life. You know when things go bad, they really go bad. You tell yourself that there will be other people next to you outhere, but you can't count on it. You could be only a mile out, but in cold water I know I can't swim 1 mile. Heck I couldn't swimm a couple hundred yards. All it takes is engine fire, hitting a log and putting a hole in your boat, etc. etc. It happens when you least expect it and when its least convenient. __________________ The Tackle Trap Official Avet Dealer In stock Hundreds of Blanks

04-05-2005, 03:10 PM	#5
Megabyte Guppy Breeder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Annapolis, Md Posts: 30 Credits: 1,211.0 Occupation: Career Firefighter, IAFF local F267	One bit of advice that was give to me regarding life rafts... "Never climb DOWN into a life raft. Always climb UP into one." Many a mariner who has abandoned-ship was rescued... only to have his vessel recovered sitting on a beach somewhere. The crew panicked and got into the raft, as their vessel floated away. The point being... Don't abandon ship so long as your vessel is still afloat. Make preparations... get the raft ready (with the painter attached), but don't bail-out unless the vessel is going down. Made sense to me. __________________ Capt. Kevin ~~~><((((> 2520 MVSC* Annapolis, Maryland http://ClassicParker.com/

04-05-2005, 03:43 PM	#7
intruder Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Barnegat Light and Hillsdale New Jersey Posts: 337 Credits: 1,298.4 Boat: 44 Southern Cross Home Port: Barnegat Light	Great question, I recommend purchasing the higher quality of all safety equipment. Equally important is to familarize yourself with how to use it and maintaining it every year. I agree with Undisputeds comments. __________________ Intruder fishing Proud Sponser of Sportfishermen.com

04-06-2005, 09:55 PM	#8
marsimi I wear cool logos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 59 Credits: 1,254.0	Got part of it - Well - I did get the ACR Global Fix EPIRB .... still looking at life rafts - there are more of these then there is tackle.

03-21-2005, 12:30 PM	#3
MakoMike Crab mustard is good Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Exeter, RI Posts: 680 Credits: 1,217.7	Necessary? No, Prudent? yes. The epirb is well worth the money and the raft isn't worth anything, until you need it (I hope you never do) I have both, but go offshor probably more than you do, but don't forget you can get in trouble close to shore as well. IMHO, gte the SOLAS raft, it will be worth the extra $$ if you ever need it.

04-05-2005, 03:36 PM	#6
Mist-Rest Cockpit Monkey In Training Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Carlisle, MA. Moosehead Lake, ME. Posts: 39 Credits: 1,211.2 Occupation: Property Manager/ FF	Any links to sites that sell rafts to compare?

04-07-2005, 12:42 PM	#9
MakoMike Crab mustard is good Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Exeter, RI Posts: 680 Credits: 1,217.7	If you limit you search to SOLAS rafts, it noarrows it down considerably.

04-08-2005, 08:13 PM	#10
Miles Offshore sometimes i sit and think, and sometimes i just sit Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: VaBeachVa Posts: 1,261 Credits: 1,407.7 Boat: 1978 Seacraft Home Port: Lynnhaven Inlet, VB Occupation: Sailloft Manager.............	I work for the navy (civilian) and one of our groups jobs are the recertifications/testing of life rafts for the whole us atlantic fleet.also some coast guard, air force and army as well. the navy uses mainly Switlik and Goodyear. I can and will be willing to bet all my hard earned moneys that DOD does more testing, r and d, training etc to protect our warriors than anybody-organization etc. . The rafts the navy uses are the real deal IMHO. (been looking at the new 50 man switlik,lol) I dont own one and have no experiance with the solas or other brands (did have some witrh goodrich several years back) but thought for this discussion this info might be useful. craig __________________ *Craig* -------------------------------------------

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