I had written a list, and then not posted it... Senility is creeping in!
The first thing I put on any boat I get on--including my dinghy. This is a ditch bag. It is a Sea Line 12” high 8” diameter waterproof bag, clear with a scrim. It contains AA battery operated devices and 12 extra batteries. VHF hand held radio, with AA battery tray. GPS Garmin Colorado 400c with all coastal charts preloaded, AA batteries. ACR combo strobe light and flashlight (AA batteries). Personal locator beacon (EPRIB) Hockey Puck hand bearing compass. Whistle, small air horn, international orange distress flag, signal mirror, 4 self contained rocket flares, smoke canister. Gerber multi tool, Crescent Wrench, small Vise Grips, multi screwdriver, spark plug wrench, and plugs for dinghy motor, Swiss Army Knife,(Companion plus). Pencil and small pad, Mylar space blanket. First aid: Kerlix roll bandage, 4 x 4 gauze and Telfa pads, 2” ace bandage, betadine wipes, triagular bandage, polysporin ointment and Band Aids. 6 electrical ties, 2’ of monel wire, 25 feet Parachute cord. Fishing line, several small lures and hooks. Depending on where we are--a .22 Mag North American Arms 5 shot 1 1/4” barrall revolver. with both hollow point and snake shot.
.44 mag revolver and two speed loaders, with 325 gr solid bullets--and or 12 guage Mossberg Shotgun with slugs and 00 buckshot.
We always carry some form of life raft--usually an inflatable dinghy, if not, then one of the “mini dinghy’s”--especially in AK--you need to stay out of the water if for some remote reason you need to “abandon ship”!
We carry both a folding shovel and either small axe or hatchet. In Florida we also carry a machete. Be sure that you have adequate anchor lines--including a line for a stern anchor or to the shore. We usually carry a thicker (1/2” or 5/8” poly prop 3 strand) to go around rocks or trees. If splices in the ends you can rig it so it can be retrieved even if that grizzly sets up camp under the tree you tied to....
In the galley: spices salt and pepper. A strainer. A big enough pot for the crabs and shrimp you will catch. We use Corelle dishes. A serving/mixing bowl (usally SS) several large spoons and usual utensils. A cooking pot, a pressure cooker, a frying pan. A couple of Russell knives, including fish cleaning. Sharpening stones or files. Chopping/cleaning board.
Folding shrimp and crab pots and floats. 350 feet of line for the Shrimp pot, 100 feet of line for the crab pot. Dish scrubbers, and dish towel. Soap (joy or dawn)
Survival suits? (we have never carried them, but if we lived up there, would have them aboard.
Flash lights--today there are some tactical lights which are as bright as a 5 cell mag light, but use AAA batteries and LED bulbs....We also like a rechargeable spot light--2 million plus candle power. We also carry a solar charged SS “garden light”--which suppliments our anchor light.
Other things to consider--covers for the windows from the inside to block light. We also like a shade under the fore hatch--keeps it darker and privacy.
Boots, for going ashore and hiking. We have slip on rubber boots, and then put on hiking boots.
