Home | Tournaments | Calendar | Weather | Merchandise | Sponsors |
|
Florida Gulfcoast Spearfishing Post here to discuss regional action or issues about spearing on Florida's Gulfcoast. |
|
Thread Tools | Rate Thread | Display Modes |
04-03-2021, 12:21 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 53
|
EPIRB Question
Spent the past couple of months preparing the boat for the upcoming dive season which included the purchase of an EPIRB.
I purchased a category 2 version (manual activation) and the question I have is would you mount it to the boat or leave in ditch bag? I have a SPOT device that i was gifted years ago currently in my ditch bag which i will be replacing with a proper PLB next along with handheld VHF. My thinking is ditch bag as that is the first thing that should be grabbed if things go south but wanted to see what the consensus is. This is my first time dealing with one and want to make sure its where it is most accessible god forbid it's ever needed. Thanks! |
04-03-2021, 03:57 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: West Coast FL
Posts: 604
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Whether you mount it or keep it in the ditch bag, everyone on the boat that day needs to know where it is and everyone on the boat needs to be able to show you how to operate it as well as the VHF radio.
|
04-06-2021, 04:40 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Dunedin
Posts: 190
|
Re: EPIRB Question
I thought the purpose of an EPIRB was to be mounted to the boat so that it will passively activate if the boat sinks. Obviously if yours is manually activated that doesn't matter, but at that point if you keep it in a ditch bag I'm not sure if the distinction between EPIRB and PLB matters, you could just get a second PLB of the same make/model that operates the same way.
|
04-07-2021, 06:57 AM | #4 | |
Retired Comm. Shooter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Largo, Florida
Posts: 5,140
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Quote:
I have a Boston Whaler so my vessel will not sink. Therefore, if my vessel were to swamp or flip over I will still have a good chance of retrieving my ditch bag which contains my EPIRB. If your vessel can sink then you still should have a ditch bag...... but maybe keep your EPIRB mounted in an easily accessible location so at least you can grab it quickly if you do have to abandon ship. Of course you still have the hydrostatic release option if you don’t mind the addition purchase and maintenance costs.
__________________
Ocean Rhino Spearguns: Designed & Built By Commercial Spearfishermen Manufactured By: Spearfishing Specialties (727)-548-7686 E-mail: oceanrhino@gmail.com Web: OceanRhino.com Last edited by Spear One; 04-07-2021 at 07:13 AM. |
|
04-07-2021, 08:59 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 162
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Personally, I like mine mounted to the outside of the center console/cuddy/top or wherever it is easily visible and accessible by anyone on the boat. When someone is on the boat as a first timer, I point out the EPIRB, location of the life vest, flares, etc. If there ever is an emergency, I want to be managing the emergency the best I can while I give direction to the others as to what they should be doing. I don't want to stop and explain to someone to go to this compartment or that compartment to retrieve life vest, flares or whatever else.
|
04-07-2021, 09:23 PM | #6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 162
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Quote:
My ditch bag is a dry bag back pack.......if I'm on someone else's boat, it goes with me. After being on someone else's boat that capsized, I realized that I was ultimately responsible for my own safety and do everything in my power to make sure I'm sleeping in my own bed at the end of the day. |
|
04-07-2021, 09:39 PM | #7 | |
Retired Comm. Shooter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Largo, Florida
Posts: 5,140
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Quote:
__________________
Ocean Rhino Spearguns: Designed & Built By Commercial Spearfishermen Manufactured By: Spearfishing Specialties (727)-548-7686 E-mail: oceanrhino@gmail.com Web: OceanRhino.com |
|
04-07-2021, 10:10 PM | #8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Port Charlotte Fl
Age: 76
Posts: 2,480
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Quote:
BTW...anyone that needs one, I have one for sale. ACR Global Fix, (used to belong to the Coast Guard) Needs a new battery, (A new battery install, all the testing and certification, and shipping w/insurance will cost you $285..don't ask me how I know!) First $100 takes it. |
|
04-12-2021, 06:36 PM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Port Richey, Fl.
Age: 69
Posts: 1,415
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Things to think about also What if your the one incapacitated,
your bag is out of site out mind. they may not see the importance in your bag in the panic and craziness of an emergency. Every time you go out a short 1 minute run thru where things are, how the radio works, compass heading to return to shore and a mile or so past marker 1 have everyone turn and look at the channel marker and other visual keys. Sinking is not the only emergency, as divers what about LOST diver, Injured diver, Bent diver. Who carries an O2 kit? had O2 training? What's in your first aid kit? and when was the last time you went thru it. Flares are not the only thing that expiries. Dive safe and remember your not just driving a boat but you are responsible for those aboard your vessel and their safety.
__________________
THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE. |
04-12-2021, 08:56 PM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: West Coast FL
Posts: 604
|
Re: EPIRB Question
All good points. As I'm always a passenger, glad to say all have been hammered home with me and I appreciate the tutelage.
|
04-13-2021, 07:41 AM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Something else to consider is if you overnight on your boat. I'd make sure the EPRIB or PLB is easily accessible outside a cabin. There was a guy off the east coast in December who had a PLB in his ditch bag in the cabin. He woke up to being swept out of the cabin by water in the middle of the night and clung to the bow of his boat for two days before luckily being spotted by a freighter. I imagine during those two days all he could think about was that he wished his PLB was accessible on the outside of his vessel.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-res...-coast-speaks/ |
04-15-2021, 09:11 AM | #12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 53
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Quote:
I do carry an extensive first aid kit which I go through ever year when im doing my normal boat maintenance (lower unit oil, spark plugs, hubs, etc..) to ensure everything is up to date. I have contemplated adding an O2 kit to my safety equipment. I volunteer at the FL Aquarium and have to get certified every 2 years through the DAN First Aid for Professional Divers course. Might make that a priority as i plan to increase the frequency i dive from my boat this year. |
|
04-15-2021, 11:09 AM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
|
Re: EPIRB Question
O2 and tourniquets should be top priority for dive boats, IMO. You can also call DAN and they'll send you stickers with their phone number printed on them.
Otherwise I agree with all the other things mentioned. Another thing to mention to crew if you live boat when diving, make sure they understand if the boat engine stalls, to deploy the anchor. |
04-15-2021, 02:18 PM | #14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jersey City
Age: 41
Posts: 851
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Quote:
|
|
04-15-2021, 06:55 PM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
|
Re: EPIRB Question
Too many variables to say.
I would want my guys to drop the hook first. If the boat's dead in the water and your guy is on the bottom the boat could end up far down current before the diver surfaces. Wind could be blowing in the opposite or in a different direction. I think anchoring on the spot with expectation the diver is going to resurface near the spot will increase the probability diver and boat don't get separated. If diver comes up down current you can pull the hook to move toward them. |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | Rate This Thread |
|
|