Ditch Bag Contents: Don’t Forget This!

ByMathew F Updated on

Ditch bags, also known as grab, go, or abandon ship bags, should be an essential part of any skipper’s gear on board.

I’ve put together a guide that includes insights on the essential items needed for different sailing endeavors.

It’s a compilation of years of maritime experience, data, and SOLAS requirements.

For a comprehensive understanding of those regulations and where to store your grab bag, check out my essential ditch bag guide.

Key Takeaways

  • In an abandon ship scenario, an easily accessible ditch bag may be the difference between a good and bad outcome.
  • Hopefully, it is never used; however, if it is needed, it becomes an essential emergency device.
  • The grab bag must be suitable for the purpose it is being carried.
  • Although no regulations require a ditch bag to be carried, any safety-conscious skipper or owner should insist.

Coastal, In-shore, and Nearshore Ditch Bags

Imagine what you might need for ­survival; drinking water and light, ­nonperishable food rations are important to keep your energy up.

Lifesaving medications and a small marine first-aid kit will allow you to address any medical conditions or ­injuries.

A well-stocked ditch bag in a sailing boat in coastal waters should contain the following items.

Irrespective of the regulatory requirements, all vessels that travel in any part of the ocean should carry a suitable type of EBIRP.

There are two categories of EBIRP devices:

  • Category I devices are equipped with a hydrostatic release which automatically deploys the device if submerged.
  • Category II devices require manual deployment.

When the EBIRP is activated, the signal ends up at the nearest rescue center, which will conduct appropriate activities to locate the vessel and rescue the crew and passengers.

If the EBIRP is in a separate pocket of the ditch bag, it can be accessed without exposing the other contents to water ingress.

Most EBIRP devices have an LED signaling light that doubles as a handheld electrical flare.

There are different types of flares that can be included in your ditch bag for emergency signaling.

The ditch bag should include handheld flares for signaling rescue services.

  • Legal requirement: Three handheld flares.
  • I recommend carrying six flares with a three-minute burn rate each.
  • Keep a flare constantly activated when rescuers are three to five miles away (fifteen to eighteen minutes).
  • Flares should be United States Coast Guard approved.
  • Minimum brightness: 15,000 candelas.
  • Flares should not emit slag that may fall onto your arm.

Parachute flares are effective for attracting emergency services’ attention:

  • They fire 1,000 feet into the air, providing visibility.
  • Bright burn for easy identification by aircraft and vessels.
  • Minimum brightness: 30,000 candelas.
  • Burn time should be as long as possible, but at least 40 seconds.

Orange smoke canisters are valuable for distress signaling:

  • Can be deployed even in the presence of combustible liquid (gas or oil) on the surface.