Ditch Bag Location

[ryanc2]

I know this has been discussed in detail, but most (if not all) examples have been on larger boats - either pilot house or sport cabin.

My question is for some of the smaller CC owners. Where is your ditch bag mounted and how? With recent tragedy, I have been rethinking my whole emergency planning with ditch bag, PLB, etc. My main issue is where to put a ditch bag so as to be easily accessible if I were to jump ship. In the console or front storage locker doesn't seem to be the best place at the moment. I was thinking of trying to mount a pelican 1400 on top of my livewell, but don't think opening a pelican case in rough seas would be the easiest thing. I typically fish near shore and the Pamlico Sound, but that in itself can get pretty snotty. Especially since we do a lot of fishing at night during drum season on a shoal 12 miles out - the rougher the better.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[pelagic2530]

ive heard of people mounting it on the inside of the console door, so that its accessable immediately by just opening the door and grabbing. you could probably use a mount with some aluminum angle and shock cords so its just a grab and go. also, how is your leaning post/captains chairs set up? you could get one with a strap and hang it over the back of a chair, and store inside when docked. if you dont have an electronics box, you could mount it up on the inside of the t-top where the box would be, maybe a slide-in box with shock cords or a mount. lots of options.

 

[BTDT]

Three thoughts.

EPIRBS should be STANDARD safety equipment on any boat that is headed offshore, no matter how far, offshore is offshore. If you get into trouble out there, no price will be too high.

Just because you can hear someone on a VHF radio, doesn't mean they're able to hear you. They may be broadcasting from a higher platform, at a greater power or with a more efficient antenna than you are, especially if you are in the water.

If you buy an EPIRB with a hydro static release...it needs to sink about 3m to deploy. If you attach the unit to your boat and your boat floats upside down or right side up the EPIRB may not deploy. Best to put it in your float ditch bag with your flashlights and radio.

 

[ryanc2]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't have a T-top, so up there isn't an option. I was also thinking about the inside of the console door, but I'm not sure if it would get in the way when accessing that storage as often as I do. I like the idea of doing something underneath the LP.