Non Coast Guard Required Signaling Devices

[Ponce]

I was going through my oh shit box the other day, and thought I would mention a couple of things.

Two very good signaling devices that are not required by the USCG should be on everyone’s boat, because they are good, easy to use and are cheap.

1 Signaling mirror – these things are money in day light I can tell you from flying in the Marine Corps we would have someone signal drop zones for us and you can see these things from 30 + miles in the air. They are not very breakable, most have a little site hole in them and instructions on the back. In certain conditions you can also use the moon light to signal if the people looking are wearing Night Vision Goggles (NVG) or the aircraft has a Forward Looking Infra Red(FLIR) they can pick up the flash. No batteries to replace or go dead easy to use and will work as long as you have sun.

2 Chem Lights – cheap break it and you have 12 hours of light no batteries required. These things really stand out to someone wearing NVG’s or a FLIR. I put a short lanyard on my PFD’s with one of those cheap key ring carabineers. Most chem. Lights have a little hole on the top clip to your beener and you are good to go with 12 hours on no battery light / signaling. Unless you have looked at these through NVG’s you really can’t appreciate how good they are.

Maybe some of the Coast Guard guys on here can throw their 2 cents in. I’m pretty sure these guys fly on goggles and have FLIR’s on their aircraft.

Sorry so long winded, but you can never be too prepared.

[Capt. kapoc]

On #2 the Chemlights.... make sure that if you are using it to be seen via NVG's that you are using a color such as red,white,yellow. Unfortunatly green isn't the best color when it comes to any night vision kinda just blends in LOL. The explenation would rusult in a long drawn out story LOL

[Custom Canvas]

GREAT TIP!!!

[Gettinwet]

i have some cheap led shake flash lights...and a diving knife on a leash...

[Capt. kapoc]

On your chem lights tie a two foot section of cord to the loop on the light and when you hear an approching rescue craft then wirl it around by the line in a circle it will make a 6 ft circle of light that is easier to zero in and make you more visable!!!!!

[Sea Draggin]

Not signaling lights..... but I think an important item for a small boat offshore is a large drift sock. That way if you lost power in bad conditions, you could use it to keep your bow into the sea. A bucket tied to your anchor rope will also offer some relief in a pinch.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

here are somemore, from an old Coastie

in addition to the above, carry some Sea Dye Marker, deploy when you hear or sea an aircraft or boat, as it dyes the water green and drifts wth the current, it'll point any aircraft to your position, also great to add to a PFD to help locating a person who's in the water.

dont forget strobes on PFD's along wth those small whistles that you can buy for $5.00 for a pack of 2 and add some reflective tape to the front and back of PFD's too

[JB2C]

Anyone know where you can buy small smokes that will fit into the small pocket of a PFD? About the same size as the those small dye markers you can buy at West M. I can't seem to find the smokes anywhere.

Read one the other day I hadn't heard of before... for a sea anchor, if you don't have one on board (and you should), the bucket may work, but more likely will break if under much strain. Instead, tie your fenders to your anchor chain and drop the anchor over. Not a ParaTech, but the drag may be enough to swing your bow into them. Haven't tested this. Anybody ever tried it? I suppose you could tie your bucket on there too, and hope it doesn't break. Can't hurt.

JB