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| Ditch bag contents...so much to think about. |
When you think about really becoming cruisers, there's much to think about and consider. While you are anxious to pour over charts, plot a course, and read the guides to far away places...what if something goes infinitely wrong? "They" say sailing is 90% relaxation and 10% sheer terror. In that critical moment of sheer terror, you simply cannot panic. Panic will kill you; on a boat, in a plane, in a car, skiing down a hill, diving in 100ft. of water- panic is not your friend. In the event that we get into such a state that it becomes evident that we must abandon ship, you have to think of your survival. It could be a few days, or more, before help arrives- depending on your location and the weather conditions. Thanks to Kenny and Fran, we have USCG certified four man life raft that has a 'hood'. When deployed, it looks a bit like a domed tent. We have our 'serious life jackets', that were gifts from Dave and Diana several Christmases ago. We also have our life jackets to wear when we are underway and out to sea. We have our foul weather gear, GPS, and other assorted essentials. However, we had yet to put together a ditch bag. Some call it a 'go bag'- the last thing you grab before you jump in the life raft. We were given a ditch bag (empty!) from Matt and Karie, however, Karie gave me a list of their contents for me to begin our shopping list. The above photo shows much of the contents of our ditch bag. Mom arrives on Wednesday of this week, and she is bringing the last few items with her, which will also go in the ditch bag. For now, our bag contains; 3 days supply of water in packaged rations, energy bars to be consumed every six hours for three days, additional nuts and dried fruit for food, a 12 guage flare gun and flares, hand held flares, glow sticks, four emergency blankets, fishing gear, 100 sunblock, 45 spf lip balm, sun glasses, swim goggles, first aid kit, waterproof matches, paper towel, foil, baby wipes, duct tape, tylenol, and a few other essentials. We have one other nautical flea market to attend in Islamorada the end of this month where we hope to secure an EPIRB and chartplotter. Then, we can turn our attention to the more exciting stuff- pouring over the charts and guides to the Bahamas!
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| Our second round of guests arrived just after noon today, Brian Meek from MZWC back home, and his friend, Steve, from New Castle, IN. As soon as we had lunch, we went for a sail. |
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| Cap'n Donnie is setting the jib, while Brian is learning to 'read the wind'. |
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| Steve and Cap'n...notice Cap'n's left leg...it was blowing pretty good out there. I dealt with flying projectiles down below and then a seasick Willis. Poor cat :/ |
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| One gallon Don and his wife Sandy came out on their boat to take pics of us while we were underway. I couldn't begin to afford the pics we got from the helicopter that flew over and photographed us a few weeks ago- a mere $820 for three 16 x 20 photos. |
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| We no sooner docked and Willis was topside for a breath of fresh air... |
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| ...and to make a quick escape to the mangroves. |
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| Tonight was chicken cacciatore at Mac & Jean's (I started it while we were underway this afternoon- good practice for cooking on passages). Big Ron came in from Hatteras today and brought his latest girlfriend, Lucky. I hardly recognized her- she's had a full body makeover. Dr. Ken lovingly restored her, and then some! |
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