Provisioning (cont.): Navigation Eqiuipment & Additional Provisions
NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT
Navigation in a survival craft might not hasten your voyage to a certain landfall, but it most definitely can provide you with the knowledge on which to base vital decisions. Knowledge of position and progress are excel lent morale boosters. Rationing schedules might be influenced by how successfully you determine your position.
The following gear, pre-packed in a small container, will provide you with adequate equipment with which to ascertain an approximate position:
• Plastic sextant
• Nautical almanac
• H0249 sight reduction tables
• Watch
• World time zone chart
• Surface current chart of the world
• Universal plotting chart
• Navigation plotter
• Liquid compass
• Charts providing an overview of your intended cruising areas
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
Following is an extensive summary of optional survival items. These items are frequently included in emergency survival kits. Although every item should be included in the ideal survival kit, limiting factors of space and economics will necessitate compromises.
• Sea Anchors (two or three)
Because nylon line will stretch, it is preferable to rope. Using it to connect the sea anchor to the raft will provide a buffer effect on the ocean’s tug. This will lessen the wear and strain at the point of connection.
Occasionally the sea-anchor line will unravel from continuous twisting. You can prevent this problem by installing a swivel shackle at the point where the line and anchor are connected.
• Flashlight (waterproof with spare batteries and bulb taped to it) Reverse one of the batteries inside the flash light to guard against dead batteries should the light be inadvertently switched on.
• Large sponge
• Knife (one sheathed 6-inch single-edged blade and one or two other knives of different design)
• Knife sharpening stone
• Can openers (two or more)
• Pencils
• Small plastic sealable bags
• Graduated water bag
• Mending tape
• One space blanket per person
• 50 feet to 100 feet of ¼-inch nylon line
• Air bellows (check manufacturer’s supply kit)
• Bailing container
• Rain catchment (plastic tarp or the equivalent)
• Sunglasses for each person
• Sunscreen
• Survival suit (for cold areas)
• Wet suit
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