While it may not be common etiquette or somewhere you would dare to go snooping into a woman’s bag, I highly recommend taking a closer look at what Jackie and Noel had packed in their grab bag. Onboard Sailing Vessel Mariah, for their world tour they thought about what they may need very carefully, here’s some of the items they included together with ideas from other cruisers.
What is in Your Grab Bag?
Not Your Average Grab Bag Bought From the Local Marine Shop
In hindsight, Jackie and Noel agreed this would have been better split into two bags. 1) essentials and 2) ideals. If all these suggestions are in one bag, it could become very heavy!
Check your Grab Bag/Ditch Bag regularly
These items should be checked every 6 months.
Are the batteries in the torches still working?
Are there any leaks or corrosion?
Check expiry dates on all food, medication, and sunscreen.
It’s a good idea to set an alarm on your phone calendar to notify you when these items are due to expire.
A Raw Reminder of How Things Can Go Wrong Onboard
We read, recently, the unfortunate news came in of the lovely cruising couple not surviving their Atlantic crossing. It’s a raw reminder to make sure your grab bag and EPIRB are close by the companionway, up to date and easy to grab. You can read that story here.
The Best Tip for Your Grab Bag/ Emergency Bag/ Ditch Bag
On a voyage, stick all your official paperwork in your Grab Bag:
Passports
Dollars
Licences
Boat papers – anything that’ll make things a big easier should you end up with only your lives and your grab bag! It doesn’t take much room.
For more suggestions and ideas about what’s best to have on your boat, what to check and be aware of, a must-read is the enlightening, entertaining and informative book: Cruisers’ AA: Cruisers’ Accumulated Accumen by Jackie, filled with great stories to help illustrate life aboard and reasons they suggest certain tips and tricks:
Do you long for a life of cruising? Are you currently on passage? Perhaps you simply dream of great possibilities that seem so far from your daily life. This book bridges the gap and gives you the means of escape. With Cruisers’ AA, you will gaze through the porthole into another world, a world where you can live freely and improve your life.
Already cruising? If you are a cruiser, then you already know the joy of living freely – this book will help you make cruising life even more enjoyable, and show you how to stretch your budget to allow you to live freely for longer.
If you are a firm landlubber, are interested in knowing what happens ‘out there’ and want some great tips that could help you improve your life too, take a look – you might be surprised at what you find.