Sometimes even the best equipped boats can sink Despite good seamanship, and excellent safety equipment, sometimes the unexpected can happen. It might be an engine fire, or running into a floating container, or being holed by a fallen mast or even lightening, but it can happen when you least expect it.
Admittedly a catamaran is far less likely to sink than a monohull, mainly because it isn't dragging around 5 tons of lead bolted to it's keel, but even so, it is prudent to be prepared for the worst, to have a backup plan to all the other backup plans.
What do you need to survive if your boat does sink?
There are two important goals you need to consider:
1. You need to stay alive until the rescue services can find you.
2. You need to be rescued as quickly as possible.
Depending on the circumstances, and how quickly help may arrive, you will need to make sure you have sufficient survival gear:
Most important is, of course a liferaft. Without one of those you aren't going to stay alive for too long in the deep blue ocean! We personally have a Viking RescYou. Whatever type you get, do get it regularly serviced and make sure you see it activated so you know how it works and what comes with it.
Second, you need an abandon ship bag. Also known as a grab-bag, ditch bag, ditch kit or flee bag, this is a handy floating waterproof bag that is pre-loaded with some essential survival equipment.
Now, here's the key. The bag must be waterproof. You are about to jump off your boat into the ocean! probably in the middle of a raging storm. You do NOT want all your gear to get soaked.
Also crucial is that it floats. Usually they do so simply because of the trapped air inside, but do test it! And make sure it also has a lanyard so you can tie it to your liferaft. That makes one less thing to worry about.
On my own boat I use one of my old white water rafting dry bags. They do the job perfectly.
Finally, the bag must be stored where it can be easily reached. Remember, the chances are that you will need it in a hurry, in the middle of the night, in the middle of a storm, with your boat either on fire, full of water, or upside down. You don't have time to be digging deep into your under-bed storage locker.
Admittedly a catamaran is far less likely to sink than a monohull, mainly because it isn't dragging around 5 tons of lead bolted to it's keel, but even so, it is prudent to be prepared for the worst, to have a backup plan to all the other backup plans.
What do you need to survive if your boat does sink?
There are two important goals you need to consider:
1. You need to stay alive until the rescue services can find you.
2. You need to be rescued as quickly as possible.
Depending on the circumstances, and how quickly help may arrive, you will need to make sure you have sufficient survival gear:
Most important is, of course a liferaft. Without one of those you aren't going to stay alive for too long in the deep blue ocean! We personally have a Viking RescYou. Whatever type you get, do get it regularly serviced and make sure you see it activated so you know how it works and what comes with it.
Second, you need an abandon ship bag. Also known as a grab-bag, ditch bag, ditch kit or flee bag, this is a handy floating waterproof bag that is pre-loaded with some essential survival equipment.
Now, here's the key. The bag must be waterproof. You are about to jump off your boat into the ocean! probably in the middle of a raging storm. You do NOT want all your gear to get soaked.
Also crucial is that it floats. Usually they do so simply because of the trapped air inside, but do test it! And make sure it also has a lanyard so you can tie it to your liferaft. That makes one less thing to worry about.
On my own boat I use one of my old white water rafting dry bags. They do the job perfectly.
Finally, the bag must be stored where it can be easily reached. Remember, the chances are that you will need it in a hurry, in the middle of the night, in the middle of a storm, with your boat either on fire, full of water, or upside down. You don't have time to be digging deep into your under-bed storage locker.
About the Author:
Noel and Ceu are sailing around the Caribbean in his 42ft Leopard sailing catamaran. For a full list of all the equipment you need for your abandon ship bag visit his blog: Catamaran Sailing Adventure