Safety Gear

This week SetSail asked all our cruising contributors to write about Safety at Sea.

Time to think is something we cruisers have plenty, of and improving safety is always high on the priority list. For us, being self-reliant is more of an issue.

Our worst-case scenario would have to be abandoning MALAIKA for the life raft. With one hard rule. Only step into the life raft. off the top of the mast (i.e.: The human spirit gives up long before the vessel). Statistics show that more abandoned vessels are found adrift than life rafts. Having said that, we feel confidant that our latest addition to our grab bag would go a long way to ensure our survival in a raft situation.

A 4m2 Power Traction Kite.

As kite-surf instructors, we have been dragged down the beach, towed on surfboards, and more recently powered upwind at 8kt on our hard dinghy with a dagger board.

Our 9ft Caribe dinghy, with me on the makeshift oar|rudder, Chris flying the kite, and the dog along for the ride clocked 6kt upwind.

Even the inflatable, with loose floorboards removed, was able to attain 4kt upwind.

Going upwind requires a bit of practice and stamina, however, once the kite is flying it can be attached to the raft|dinghy and you can drift downwind hands free.

These power kites are relatively inexpensive at $300. They have inflatable bladders for easy re-launch in the water. The bladders can be mouth inflated and come with repair patches similar to bicycles. With 25-30m of nylon cord, these colorful UV-resistant parachute fabric kites would certainly aid in the spotting of a life raft. adrift, not to mention propulsion in the right direction. They are batten free and can be packed small and stuffed into the side pocket of your grab bag. When inflated, they are domed shaped, so if all else fails they can double as a weather awning/rain catcher.

Obviously, as kite-surf fanatics we are biased, but we will not leave home without one!