It might be better as a separate thread but I would be curious to know what others have on board or carry in terms of additional safety gear or a ditch kit? When I was in the CG years ago we also carried a damage control bag of sorts with items to plug a hull breach, fittings, pumps, etc....

I don't carry a spare bilge pump (have a hand pump) but I will now. Maybe even wire and fit it so it can go straight to a battery and pump over the side without having to mess with a burnt out one? I am sure some of you guys have great ideas for a quick fix to a serious situation on the water. I for one would be happy to hear them.

I have a floating handheld VHF I use while on my kayak, I'm bringing that damn thing on ANY boat I set foot on from now on!

If you have the room for it, Whale manual crash pump mounted on a board.

Thank you all for your well wishes.

Ross, I took your advice and contacted OTW. Might end up in an upcoming article on safety and awareness (or in our case, the lack thereof!).

One thing I should have added is how important my training was during this ordeal. I've been through multiple offshore survival trainings for work, and I can't stress enough how much of a difference it made. It really made me not panic- instinct just kicked in on what to do. A free course is offered in New Bedford- Check out New Directions Southcoast at New Directions Southcoast :: New Directions South Coast. The course is FREE. Definitely more of a commercial tilt to it, but if you spend a decent amount of time on the water it could save your life.

For those that missed the Fox broadcast, here's the link. There are two different videos- the one that plays automatically, and a different one that you can click to below it. I'll get up the GoPro footage once John has finished editing it.

3 rescued south of Martha?s Vineyard after mayday call

And here is the footage.

‪Cynthia Z‬‏ - YouTube

craziness

Everbody loves a happy ending. Glad you and your friends are OK.

So happy that your all O.K.

Just heard - you lucky duck! I always figured if it happened, I'd sink on a comm boat. Guess I'll need to re-think that!

saw you on TV...yikes...I thought our little fishing adventure last fall was dangerous...and expensive....but this takes the cake...well, rest up...Bluefish Tournent is in a few weeks...Team Red Stripe will rage..bring the helmet cam :)...maybe you should just bring a helmet!

On Boston channel 4 news, gopro video!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Glad you guys made it. Great story. I've been thinking about installing an extra bildge in my boat for a while now. This will motivate me to do it ASAP.

Very fortunate you had what you did and it was usable. Really glad you and your fishing buddies are OK and no worse for the wear so to speak. It has truly motivated me to put together some additional safety items to bring on every trip handheld VHF is #1 on the list and with GPS built in.

One question why was the boat taking on water in the first place? The bilge pump failing doesn't cause you to take on water? Was this boat known for taking on water and the bilge pump was relied upon to keep it dry?

Again very glad you all are safe and sound that could have ended very badly ofr the three of you if not for your cool heads and preparation.

Yeah,
I saw the story on the news on Monday morning. Funny how things work out sometimes. Very glad you guys are ok.

If you're around Gloucester on Friday night, I might be coming up. Let me know.

Later,
Rick

Wow
 

You guys were very lucky. I'm glad you made it back safely.
I was researching a ditch bag yesterday and came across this video of a product called stay afloat. It wouldn't of helped you guys but it might help one of the readers. It looks like the wax that is used for the wax ring for toilet installations.
‪Stay Afloat Promo‬‏ - YouTube
Just saw it in another thread posted by Fishoholic:
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ditch-bag.html

Glad you guys are alright. What a harrowing experience. That is the exact reason whenever I go on someone else's vessel I bring my floating ditch bag with flares, mirror, gps, epirb, waterproof vhf,water, cyalume sticks, candy bars, and a dye pack. All the electronics have lanyards on them to boot that has about 6 inches of a pool noodle to aid in floatation if I ever find myself in your situation. You guys are very lucky and had fate on your side.

Great read, great wake up call to all. Well done to all on board, and a $25 lottery ticket ta-boot :)

Kevin,
You guys made the big time. Saw it on MSNBC this morning before work. Not sure it the rest of the cable news channels will pick it up or not. I can see this being on "caught on camera" or whatever the shows are. That video could be used to buy a new boat.

Very surreal reading and watching this. I'm glad you guys are all ok. I don't know what else to say. Thank God.

Re-read the thread and watched the short & long videos. You guys were fortunate and once in the situation, smart AND fortunate. I am very happy not to be going to services for anyone this week.

Good call on using your experience to help others that may not be so lucky.

We should probably put together a big safety brief / debrief for boating and one for shore over the next couple of weeks. We need to stress this more me thinks!

Kevin, it appears that you may have lost your Phillies cap during the ordeal. Maybe it's time to replace it with a nice new cap with a "B" on the front?

I've watched the video a bunch of times and still can't believe it. You guys did great to keep your wits about you and remain calm while waiting to be rescued.

I did lose my cap :( I gotta get another phillies one, I need the 2011 World Series Champs, ya know :rotf2:

Media coverage can be frightening. John had reporters accosting his parents at his home on Monday. Pretty wild. In a week no one will care.

We just did an interview for Inside Edition... Should be interesting how they spin it. I'm sure they will edit out all of the safety angles I was pitching. Just trying to help Mitch recoup some from the loss of his boat and gear. I lost a lot, and it was nothing compared to him. But that can all be replaced :buds:

Can I have your Autograph?

Only if I can sign your chest :heybaby:

whens the book tour, and will you autograph it for me, I'll buy a nice yankees hat to replace the philthys that you lost.

Holy crap!.. now it's on CNN.com

Just saw that. Showed my kid. Told him to become a doctor so he can get a nice big boat instead of schlepping around as a Phillies fan living on the edge on an old Seacraft.

in reality, I like the old Seacraft - all kidding aside, really glad you guys made it out.

JackK - I've put in an order on defender for a ditch bag, beacon, and floating VHF. your experience was the kick in arse I needed. thanks

Now that you're all safe and sound....I have to ask.........:scratch:


Did the thought of a :shark: ever cross your minds???....

And spin they did! Dead Tuna you had caught and blood attracting sharks! Gotta love TV!