On our last trip on the PJ Ferry, Bob Aymar asked about the equipment that I carry in my dinghy.
I WANT TO VERY CAREFULLY STATE THAT THIS LIST DOES NOT REPLACE ANYTHING REQUIRED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE THE BOAT IS BEING OPERATED IN.
We have a dinghy that has a wooden seat. I have added an underseat stowage bag. The cover doubles as a cushion and is secured with Velcro. The bag also has zippered main pocket and several zippered outside pockets that provide secure storage. The bag stays in the boat all the time. (We did not like the bow storage bag as we were always climbing over it.)
Here is the list: 1. Oars: They are always in the oarlocks and fittings on the boat. 2. Life Jackets: We keep two jackets in the bag at all times. Obviously, when there are more people, we add more jackets. 3. Anchor, chain and rope: We carry a small grapnel anchor (foldable), a short piece of vinyl covered chain and about 20’ of rope, all secured in a small canvas bag. I use the longer rope to tie the boat to a sign, bench or whatever when available. We ALWAYS secure the boat with the anchor (or rope) every time we go ashore. 4. Running lights: I have portable LED navigation lights that have suction cup mounts. Remember, the lights are required by law! The stern mount is glued to the engine, the bow light on the dinghy. I carry the lights in a baggie with spare batteries. 5. VHF Radio: We have the handheld VHF on board whenever we use the dinghy. 6. GPS: We always stay at LISCA cocktail parties longer than we expect to. Similarly, dinners on another boat in an anchorage tend to run on. Isn’t it fun! I enter the position of Indulgence in the GPS. I personally get totally turned around when the wind or tide changes and we have to find our way back. It is a simple matter to navigate home to Indulgence at this point. I can also tell you some horror stories about fog banks that rolled in at night, and friends spending hours trying to find their boat. 7. Hand Bearing Compass: I have a small, very inexpensive hand bearing compass in the bag. It is not very accurate, but works very well to point the dinghy in a general direction. 8. Spare gas: I find it easier to fill the outboard before I get in the dinghy. I carry a one gallon gas tank that is secured in the dinghy with a safety line that secures the engine. 9. Flashlight(s): When we anticipate operating in the dark, I will take a large flashlight/spotlight. Dark painted mooring balls are hard to see and are huge when you bump into them with the dinghy. I also carry the LISCA flashlight (with the red lens) to help see the GPS. [LISCA still has a few for sale!]. 10. Small bilge pump. Not a major necessity, but it does help keep the shoes and pants dry. 11. FRS Radio: I find this radio very handy when I am running an errand for the Captain. It is very easy to use and I am not competing with any of the other busy VHF channels.