On Mon, 11 Apr 2005 13:05:20 -0500, "just me"
wrote:

I'm putting together a ditch bag for my sailboat.
Other than a GPIRB and a flashlight, what else should be added?
Thanks, Jay

I assume you mean an EPIRB.

I am on Lake Ontario, but I have among other things hand-held flares,
a heaving line with float, a signalling mirror, a flashlight, extra
batteries, a submersible VHF and a surplus GPS. I also carry in there
a cheap multi-tool, some battery powered nav lights and a small Zodiac
patch kit, as this box is not only for the sailboat, but is also what
I throw in the RIB when I go out in the evenings for a blast around
the island on hot calm nights. I also have a litre of water lashed
into the Zodiac, although Lake Ontario is far more drinkable offshore
than it used to be. All this is in a orange, gasketed "fisherman's
box" that floats...barely...even with the relatively heavy batteries
and VHF in it.

When cruising, the Zodiac is frequently on a bridle unless it's
blowing past 20 or so, so it's the de facto "life raft". In actuality,
when I suffered an engine failure in windless conditions, I lashed it
to the side and powered home at 4 knots with the Honda 9.9
four-stroke.

In an ocean situation, I think the ditch bag contents would be part of
a liferaft situation, and that means compact food, liquids, medical
kit, some drugs even, and maybe mylar tarps, a solar still or a
hand=powered watermaker. You have to have a Plan B offshore that takes
into account exposure to the elements, whereas a daysailer is
primarily concerned with contacting the authorities over in-water
survival.

YMMV
R.