Safety Gear for Coastal Cruising ??

Hi.
In warm waters what safety gear is recommended for coastal cruising?
By coastal, I mean from shore to 8-10 miles out where the barrier islands are (Mississippi Gulf Coast).

1. ALWAYS file a float plan
2. ALWAYS wear a lift jacket
3. ALWAYS carry water and a few snacks
4. ALWAYS watch the weather...
[b]
But what about GEAR ?[/b]
- The cell phone works out that far, I've done it.... marine VHF is better.

[u]Flares and/or signaling devices?[/u]
- I'm thinking maybe ink... to dye the water, effective in daylight... and waterproof.
- worst case, boat sinks, you need to fire or launch a flare/from IN the water... so must be something that's easily accessible and works when wet and or soaked....

What you have listed plus a gps locator. I know a sailor that went out in the gulf for a three hour cruise, got caught in a storm and spent the next 3 days floating lost. He was not prepared in any way, used the sails to catch water for drinking, etc. Lucky to have survived. A gps locator would have gotten help to him within 1 day.

I have a handheld VHF. I mounted the belt clip on the boom, works great.

VHF, GPS, STROBE LIGHT; NAVIGATION LIGHTS; LOTS OF EXTRA WARM CLOTHES IN THE HULLS; TWO KINDS OF RIGHTING SYSTEMS; SOME KIND OF ANTI-TURLTLE DEVICE. AM RADIO TO HEAR TUNES AND LISTEN FOR STORMS; EXTRA BEERS TO ENJOY THE TRIP. ABOVE ALL, STAY AS DRY AS POSSIBLE ALL THE TIME.

WYATT

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Sails off Angola, NY, Lake Erie.