Life Jackets and VHF - Looking for Recommendations

[amccoy]

Planning our first trip to Bimini and first trip offshore this summer. Looking for recommendations for life jackets and a VHF for the crossing. Two adults and three teens.

What do you guys use, likes, dislikes?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bizywk]

RADIOS: We took other's advice who highly recommended wired 25W VHF for distance, and at least one handheld model as a back-up. We opted for the slightly more expensive radio featuring an embedded GPS, DSC capability and a push-button for emergency Coast Guard notification as one of a few contingency back-ups to an EPIRB. Basically, it will transmit your coordinates if you get into trouble.

We found some great deals over the last 6 months and bought a GX1850GPS with 8' antenna, and two HX890's. The handhelds admittedly are overkill and twice as expensive as alternatives but they also offer GPS for land/sea navigation and an emergency button They will be helpful for when we try to link back up after much of the crew taking commercial transporation or decide to split up - hiking, biking, etc. I plan to use a handheld clipped to the jacket with an earpiece for the crossing since my transmit distance should be unnecessary for the crossing.

JACKETS: Remember that the Coast Guard is the ONLY qualified entity that can make this recommendation for you, and recommends the Type I jacket for open water (See link below). Additionally, the Captain is solely responsible for the safety of their crew. As a non-certified peer, I can't give you a jacket recommendation other than to say that you should always plan for the worst, and choose equipment suitable with what you're comfortable with to handle that disaster. If you look up YouTube Bimini crossing videos will You will see many videos where they have opted to go with lesser safety standard and are using inflatable jackets (Type V with Type II performance). This is probably because balance the reduced safety standard with "Cherry Picked" weather windows, but mistakes happen and Mother Nature is full of surprises so choose wisely. If you choose this route, look for jackets that naturally push your face upwards while unconscious and note the Bouyancy Ratings as not all inflatables are equal. Also know the limitations (periodic maintenance, auto vs manual inflation), and stock refillable kits.

The WestMarine link below features just one example of a manufacturer that thinks they have a suitable offshore Type V inflatable jacket option with enhanced strength strap/buckle options. Several manufacturers offer models with varying lesser standards and lower price points from there.

https://www.uscgboating.org/images/howtochoosetherightlifejacket_brochure.pdf

Guide To US Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets | WaterDudes.

West Marine Blue Offshore Automatic Inflatable Life Jacket | West Marine

Perfect for offshore boating, this blue life jacket offers automatic inflation and a built-in harness for maximum security. Ideal for serious mariners. Shop now for safety gear!

www.westmarine.com

	Type V with Type II Performance

 

[Elliott]

Handheld VHF and Garmin InReach Satellite Communicator/GPS - both attached to your PFD. The Handheld VHF takes care of all you close communication up to possibly 8 miles, and the InReach provides you global coverage.

With the InReach you can: text any cellphone in the world and they can respond, you can send a specific SOS text to the GEOS monitoring facility noting the type of problem and assistance you require (for example call a towing service) or you can hit the SOS button (if you do not respond to GEOS' reply message, they presume a catastrophic incident requiring first responders). The InReach device costs ~$300, and the basic service is $12 per month. The InReach is also a fully operational GPS with base map to provide redundancy to your Chart Plotter. More expensive InReach devices have nautical charts. You can also carry the InReach hiking and in other countries.

Something to think about - if your boat gets swamped, capsizes, catches fire, has a serious electrical issue and etc., your console VHF will probably be useless.

 

[Bizywk]

Handheld VHF and Garmin InReach Satellite Communicator/GPS - both attached to your PFD. The Handheld VHF takes care of all you close communication up to possibly 8 miles, and the InReach provides you global coverage.

With the InReach you can: text any cellphone in the world and they can respond, you can send a specific SOS text to the GEOS monitoring facility noting the type of problem and assistance you require (for example call a towing service) or you can hit the SOS button (if you do not respond to GEOS' reply message, they presume a catastrophic incident requiring first responders). The InReach device costs ~$300, and the basic service is $12 per month. The InReach is also a fully operational GPS with base map to provide redundancy to your Chart Plotter. More expensive InReach devices have nautical charts. You can also carry the InReach hiking and in other countries.

Something to think about - if your boat gets swamped, capsizes, catches fire, has a serious electrical issue and etc., your console VHF will probably be useless.

Ditto on the In-Reach. We bought a Mini with marine mount as well and like it very much as an alternative to a satellite cellular phone. Our In-Reach mini allows family to track our location live, will help while linking back up with the rest of the crew if the handhelds are out of range, and allow satellite based texting back and forth to family at home so that we're not in radio-silence mode should a family emergency arise while out of cellular range. As you said, it also has a 3rd party relay service to make contact with the CG or law enforcement office if absolutely necessary as our 4th redundant means of getting help while out of cell range.