| Compared to various varieties of boats, sailboats are | | | | compulsory and important items to be available |
| relatively small and are wind-driven, as opposed to | | | | abroad.One most important item that should always be |
| gas-powered, vessels. A sailboat is primarily used for | | | | updated and accessible is a ditch bag or a grab bag |
| sports and personal purposes. Sailboats can be found | | | | made of nylon and padded with foam, which can be |
| in a wide variety such as keelboats, yachts, sailing | | | | used if the ship needs to be abandoned. Some of the |
| dinghies, and skiffs.Sailboats can be rented for a day | | | | items that a ditch bag must contain are the first-aid kit, |
| or more. However, regardless of the size and type of | | | | a registered 406-MHz EPIRB, GPS, compass, |
| boat rented, the coast guards in each state have | | | | hand-held radio, batteries, fishing line and hooks, space |
| minimum requirements for the safety gear to be | | | | blanket(s), freeze-dried food, toothbrushes and |
| carried on board. Some states insist on some additional | | | | toothpaste, packets of hand wipes, waterproof |
| gear. This is to protect both the passenger and the | | | | baggies, signaling devices (mirrors, flares), flashlight, |
| crew during any emergencies.All the gear that is being | | | | glow-sticks, reverse-osmosis watermakers and |
| taken on board has to be tested. This is to ensure that | | | | collapsible containers, tape, survival manual, |
| there are no unpleasant surprises in the event some or | | | | seasickness tablets, binoculars, a multi-purpose tool ( |
| all of the gear is needed. One of the most important | | | | with a knife, scissors, etc.,), passports/wallets/money |
| things to be checked and ready are the personal | | | | credit card, prescriptions for current crew (like |
| flotation devices. They should be readily accessible | | | | nitroglycerine for anyone with a heart condition), spare |
| and in good condition. These come in five types and | | | | eyeglasses, sunblock, shock cord, and the boat's |
| the most suitable has to be chosen and checked that | | | | documentation.A different form of sailing is offered by |
| it fits all the passengers and the crew. Every sailboat | | | | the sailing cruises. They provide a combination of |
| has to have at least one type of personal floatation | | | | comfort, cost saving, companionship, and freedom. A |
| device.All sailboats must carry pyrotechnic devices | | | | lot of companies currently offer a variety of affordable |
| include flares, smoke, flares with parachutes, and aerial | | | | yachting holidays, designed to offer the thrills of sailing |
| meteors; they can be hand-held, buoyant, or launchable. | | | | to those with little or no experience.Sailing cruises can |
| Also, some of the non-pyrotechnic devices including | | | | be in a sailboat having a single berth or can |
| signal flags, balloons, kites, streamers, and electric | | | | accommodate a group of people in the event it is a |
| distress lights (flashing SOS) and strobes should be | | | | vacation for family or friends. Sailing boats come with |
| included. Also, high-intensity whistles, air horns, | | | | skippers so the vacationers can learn to sail if they |
| megaphones, and hailers should be available when | | | | want or just enjoy lazing around. |
| required on board. Fire extinguishers are another | | | | |