My son is refurbishing a 22'Catalina and ,as a mother,my concern is safety. What safety equiptment does he need on board and what are the best names,taking cost into account? PFD's,EPIRB's,etc Thankyou !
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Couple of Saftey Things, Mom..
1. Lessons and a USCG class; 2. Inflateable, wearable PFD with tether. (West Marine or Stearns) 3. VHF Radio. West Marine or any of many. 4. GPS. Garmin and Magellan are just two. Need not be expensive. Inexpensive is fine. 5. Tow Service Card. Boat US or whatever works locally. Those would be my priorities. Thanks for asking.
1. Lessons and a USCG class; 2. Inflateable, wearable PFD with tether. (West Marine or Stearns) 3. VHF Radio. West Marine or any of many. 4. GPS. Garmin and Magellan are just two. Need not be expensive. Inexpensive is fine. 5. Tow Service Card. Boat US or whatever works locally. Those would be my priorities. Thanks for asking.
Where is he sailing?
A Catalina 22 is a small boat. Where is he sailing it? A lake or protected bay? Likely one where VHF is always within range, and help is nearby? I will disagree with Rick, if this is the case. There's little point to a GPS when all your sailing is within site of familiar landmarks. An EPIRB is overkill in this situation. And it is unlikely that he will need a tow service for a boat that has a swing keel, and that is small enough to be shoved off of ground, or towed by helpful passerby. What is your son's level of experience? If he is just learning, the best thing he can do is sail with other people who have experience. And to take a course. And above all, to act prudently.
A Catalina 22 is a small boat. Where is he sailing it? A lake or protected bay? Likely one where VHF is always within range, and help is nearby? I will disagree with Rick, if this is the case. There's little point to a GPS when all your sailing is within site of familiar landmarks. An EPIRB is overkill in this situation. And it is unlikely that he will need a tow service for a boat that has a swing keel, and that is small enough to be shoved off of ground, or towed by helpful passerby. What is your son's level of experience? If he is just learning, the best thing he can do is sail with other people who have experience. And to take a course. And above all, to act prudently.
Fear Not, Mother.
If you are talking sailing on bays or near the ocean, the best bet is to get the boat inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. They have a complete check list of requred safety items for when a boat goes on the water. It is not a terribly expensive list to fill. And with Christmas coming it makes a great Xmas list. But by all means, if there is a Power Squadron or CG Auxiliary giving seamanship classes, an enrollment would be the best gift.
If you are talking sailing on bays or near the ocean, the best bet is to get the boat inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. They have a complete check list of requred safety items for when a boat goes on the water. It is not a terribly expensive list to fill. And with Christmas coming it makes a great Xmas list. But by all means, if there is a Power Squadron or CG Auxiliary giving seamanship classes, an enrollment would be the best gift.
Required vs. Optional
There is some equipment that is required, i.e. the Coast Guard says you must have it, and some that is optional, i.e. the stuff you really need. The required stuff you can find out about in Chapman's or at any boating store. As to the optional stuff it depends on where you'll be sailing and what your philosophy is. The most important piece of safety gear to have aboard is your brain. Since your son is refurbishing the boat he should have a really good idea of how everything works and how it goes together. If he's got some experience sailing that combination will do more for staying and/or getting out of trouble than any gear he has on board. If he's light on experience then he's got a good boat to learn on. What I carry is: 1) The Required Stuff. 2) Extra Fire Extinguishers 3) Real Flares not those childish toys the Coast Guard requires. 4) Inflatable (auto and manual combination) PFD 5) Safety Harness (I like a separate one rather than in combo with the PFD because then I can wear either by itself if appropriate) 6) Jack lines (what you hook your harness on) made of webbing. 7) Spare parts and a good tool kit so you can fix what breaks. 8) A dinghy (when I'm travelling it's inflated and on deck or being towed) 9) A VHF (I also have a handheld to take in the dinghy) He'll probably never need to call for help but he can have someone call Mom to let her know he's just running late... 8^) Jim h37.5 "Prospect"
There is some equipment that is required, i.e. the Coast Guard says you must have it, and some that is optional, i.e. the stuff you really need. The required stuff you can find out about in Chapman's or at any boating store. As to the optional stuff it depends on where you'll be sailing and what your philosophy is. The most important piece of safety gear to have aboard is your brain. Since your son is refurbishing the boat he should have a really good idea of how everything works and how it goes together. If he's got some experience sailing that combination will do more for staying and/or getting out of trouble than any gear he has on board. If he's light on experience then he's got a good boat to learn on. What I carry is: 1) The Required Stuff. 2) Extra Fire Extinguishers 3) Real Flares not those childish toys the Coast Guard requires. 4) Inflatable (auto and manual combination) PFD 5) Safety Harness (I like a separate one rather than in combo with the PFD because then I can wear either by itself if appropriate) 6) Jack lines (what you hook your harness on) made of webbing. 7) Spare parts and a good tool kit so you can fix what breaks. 8) A dinghy (when I'm travelling it's inflated and on deck or being towed) 9) A VHF (I also have a handheld to take in the dinghy) He'll probably never need to call for help but he can have someone call Mom to let her know he's just running late... 8^) Jim h37.5 "Prospect"
Capable and competant crew
is all I would add to the things mentioned already. Have him ( them ) take a course and do some man overboard drills in good weather wearing pfd, clothes, shoes, and rain gear even though it is warm out. It is surprising how heavy a person is wearing wet clothing and how hard it is to get someone back aboard in that situation. I like Vessel Assist and a handheld vhf also in the event of engine trouble. He should probably stay close to help initially. If he can sail with another boat that is probably the safest way of all until he has some experience with his own boat.
is all I would add to the things mentioned already. Have him ( them ) take a course and do some man overboard drills in good weather wearing pfd, clothes, shoes, and rain gear even though it is warm out. It is surprising how heavy a person is wearing wet clothing and how hard it is to get someone back aboard in that situation. I like Vessel Assist and a handheld vhf also in the event of engine trouble. He should probably stay close to help initially. If he can sail with another boat that is probably the safest way of all until he has some experience with his own boat.
State & Federal Laws
State and Federal laws list the minimum safety equipment required. The Federal requirements cre available through the U.S.Coast Guard (800-368-5647). In Oklahoma the state requirements are available from the Department of Public Safety Lake Patrol Division. A little internet work will tell you who to contact in your state.
State and Federal laws list the minimum safety equipment required. The Federal requirements cre available through the U.S.Coast Guard (800-368-5647). In Oklahoma the state requirements are available from the Department of Public Safety Lake Patrol Division. A little internet work will tell you who to contact in your state.
Equipment
Unless he plans on crossing oceans in his C22 (& if that's the case, take it away from him NOW!), EPIRBs are WAY overkill. Get the USCG required equipment. Then make sure he has a USCG approved inflatable PFD (BTW, they're only counted as an approved PFD if he's actually wearing it). Buy him a handheld (at least) VHF for the holidays - DO NOT let him go out with only a cell phone. Cell phones aren't bad to have, mind you, but they're not considered safety equipment. The CG monitors Channel 16 on the radio so if he has any major problems he can contact them directly. If he's planning on singlehanding, a tether would be a wise choice. If he doesn't want to wear it, have him go out with someone else & tell him to jump overboard. He'll find out how difficult it is to get back aboard by himself, especially if the boat is under way, & will probably have no problems in wearing it. An engine spares kit might be a good idea, in addition to a good tool kit. Never know when you're going to have a fouled spark plug! Don't worry too much, Mom. He'll be great & you'll have the benefit of taking some nice summer sails! LaDonna
Unless he plans on crossing oceans in his C22 (& if that's the case, take it away from him NOW!), EPIRBs are WAY overkill. Get the USCG required equipment. Then make sure he has a USCG approved inflatable PFD (BTW, they're only counted as an approved PFD if he's actually wearing it). Buy him a handheld (at least) VHF for the holidays - DO NOT let him go out with only a cell phone. Cell phones aren't bad to have, mind you, but they're not considered safety equipment. The CG monitors Channel 16 on the radio so if he has any major problems he can contact them directly. If he's planning on singlehanding, a tether would be a wise choice. If he doesn't want to wear it, have him go out with someone else & tell him to jump overboard. He'll find out how difficult it is to get back aboard by himself, especially if the boat is under way, & will probably have no problems in wearing it. An engine spares kit might be a good idea, in addition to a good tool kit. Never know when you're going to have a fouled spark plug! Don't worry too much, Mom. He'll be great & you'll have the benefit of taking some nice summer sails! LaDonna
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