Two gallons of potable water may be needed per person per day as well as non-perishable foods.

VHF radio/handset: Ensure the brand has a good range/signal.

Safety equipment: Fire extinguisher, running light or navigation light at night, life jackets for each person on-board, hand flares, compass and a map/chart.

Navigation lights help

direct fishermen. They

also help the coastguard

locate the boat. Ensure

that the navigation lights,

which are usually white,

are working. This aids in

preventing small boats

from being crushed by

larger vessels.

Hand flares are distress

signals to alert help.

Life jackets often have bright reflectors. This is

also useful when gusty winds cause fishing

vessels to capsize; it helps keep seamen afloat.

A sound signal: In foggy conditions, fishermen

can use a whistle or horn to alert oncoming boats.

A Global Positioning System (GPS) makes it

easier for the coastguard to locate fishermen in distress. However, many fishermen don't have GPS or a compass, thereby hampering search-and-rescue missions.

Before venturing out ...

Learn to navigate. The disappearance of fishermen at sea is most attributable to poor navigation. Misjudgement often causes them to drift into uncharted waters, rendering them helpless after running out of fuel.

Watch the weather, even if there is no direct threat to the island. Before fishermen go out to sea, they should be fully apprised of weather reports.

Ensure that the vessel is seaworthy.