[The Names Dolores]

I am crewing from the Bahamas to the Chesapeake. This is my first offshore experience.

I am bringing my own foul weather gear, PFD w/ harness, and warm clothes that dry fast. Is there any other offshore equipment that is generally supplied by the crew themselves? For example, I don't have a tether, but know the boat owner does. Is that the type of thing where I should have my own?

Thanks!

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

No, the boat should have tethers. But it wouldnt hurt to ask if he has a harness for you.

So if you can keep yourself warm and dry he shoudl keep you safe.

 

[rockDAWG]

I always try to be self-sufficient when crewing for others.

Foul weather gears, life vest, tether, PLB, gloves, multifunction knife, motion sickness meds, LED flash light, Chart plotter etc.

 

[FarCry]

I would add a couple of headlamps that are at least water resistant, if not waterproof, and comfortable enough to wear for hours if needed with plenty of batteries. I like to have my leatherman, or at least a good pocket knife, on my person when not sleeping. Have fun.

 

[svHyLyte]

No, the boat should have tethers. But it wouldn't hurt to ask if he has a harness for you.

So if you can keep yourself warm and dry he should keep you safe.

What he/she "should" do and what he/she might do to ones own satisfaction are two different matters, eh Mark?

It would be wise to include a tether, preferably doubled (with a long and short leg), in your kit that you know you can rely upon. Likewise, you might include your own personal survival gear that can be attached to and perhaps enclosed within a pouch on the webbing for your PFD (which should include a crotch strap) including a small strobe, mirror, pencil LED flashlight (or LaserFlare), waterproof hand-held VHF (with fresh batteries and wrist lanyard) and perhaps an ACR (or equal) PLB.

When taking crew-mates aboard for a passage, we forward them a listing of what equipment we expect them to supply for themselves and what we have aboard the yacht. Never-the-less, supplying one's own personal safety gear only makes sense, no?

 

[rockDAWG]

Never-the-less, supplying one's own personal safety gear only makes sense, no?

Yes, it makes sense to me. I would rather trust my own life vest and tether.

 

[christian.hess]

jeje the few times Ive crewed on passages on other peoples boats, was when I was much younger, basically it was bring a watch, your clothes and what do you eat?

everything else was provided...

just saying

now like others have mentioned I would bring some sort of gps or personal spot messenger or mini epirb strobe thingy

knifes, tether or sos sospender combo deal, foul weather gear, an impermeable ditch bag for personals, passports id,mirror, etc...) maybe some survival food too,

oh whats an ACR? not familiar with that term

 

[tempest]

Somewhat redundant as others have covered many of these:

I keep extra tethers aboard for crew, but if I crew on another boat I like to bring my own.

Do you have "at least" a whistle and a light/strobe for your PFD.

A good knife and a multi -tool. Should be personal equip.

A headlamp or small flashlight, with a red lens is useful for finding things in the night.

If you've ever been seasick or think it might be a possibility, think about bringing meds. I carry a little bottle of motioneaze it seems to work for people even after they begin to feel bad. I think most of the other meds need to be taken beforehand.

 

[svHyLyte]

...
oh whats an ACR? not familiar with that term

See ACR

 

[christian.hess]

See ACR

ok just a different name for personal epirb I see

cool

thanks

 

[christian.hess]

yup even if you dont get sick some dramamine or candied ginger does wonders too

 

[rockDAWG]

I bring a short rope (6 ft x 1/4") and cloth pins for hanging stuff.

 

[christian.hess]

thought the lifelines were for that, jejejejeje

 

[MedSailor]

Looks like the list has already been covered. I would only add to bring a small alarm clock or phone with alarm (and 12V phone charger) so you can be awake and ready for your watch. Sunglasses and sunscreen are good personal items to include. Earplugs can be good or bad, but might be worth bringing along. I used to think of them as bad because you can't hear what's going on on the boat, or might miss an "all hands on deck call" but a couple of years ago on a 2 day race I shared a V-berth with a crew member with REALLY BAD sleep apnea and basically didn't get any sleep at all, which negatively affected my ability to crew the next day. Now, they're in the kit.

MedSailor

 

[rockDAWG]

basically didn't get any sleep at all, which negatively affected my ability to crew the next day. Now, they're in the kit.

MedSailor

Agree, inability to sleep or rest is fatal. If someone is prone to have insomnia, ask one's doctor to prescribe some sleeping pills. Get some good stuff, OTC does not work well. LOL.

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

By the look at all the stuff people suggest you take you will need your own boat to transport it!

 

[gamayun]

Everything's been mentioned that I would bring, except you don't say what is the showering situation. I know some who bring moist towelettes in a baggie so there's some sense of cleanliness each day. A head lamp is a must-have, but make sure it has a RED light. Ear plugs are great for dampening sound, and it's surprising what you can hear with them in. I'd also bring an eye cover thingee if the light bothers you while trying to sleep during the day. And while you're loading down your duffle, don't forget your camera to capture those BFS moments that you plan to post afterwards ;-)

 

[Rhapsody-NS27]

I'd like to put in my bit of thanks to everyone. I've been looking at getting a kit together for someday going out with others so the lists posted will be very helpful.

 

[hellosailor]

And maybe add in your own favorite sunblock. Some music, because most folks like to hear something they haven't heard before. And a bag of something tasty for night watches, because everyone likes Other People's Food, too. (G) Small surprises like that are always loved.

You may want to take a pillow or towel as well, sometimes that's the same thing and if you like to sleep one particular way, compress it down and take it. (I don't carry a pillow, but there's always something in particular I'll be using as one.)

 

[christian.hess]

thought it was standard for new crew to sleep on the sailbags...no?