Here is a recap of our Meet and Greet on 2/24/2014. We had a turnout of 15 members, shared some stories / experiences related to Hobie Island sailing and fishing, and discussed the topics listed below. Thanks to ACK-Houston and Store Manager, Brock Nedland for providing the meeting location and pizza!
Safety Protocol:
Sailing or fishing with a group is preferred.
Review weather forecasts prior to leaving home and monitor the weather while on the water.
Items you should have attached to your PFD:
VHF Radio
Phone stored in a DryPac
Quick access knife
Whistle
Items you should have stored on your boat:
1st Aid Kit
Compact Aerial Flares
Extra Rudder Pin
If your trip involves sailing on open / coastal waters carry an anchor setup in the event you need to hold your position.
Leave a float plan with someone at home (where you will be sailing with launch and destination coordinates, when you will be home or call once back on land, and the number to Coast Guard in the event your float plan time limit is exceeded).
Proper Mayday Relay Procedure:
– Switch your VHF radio to Channel 16
– Press transmit button
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
This is Red Hobie Sailing Kayak (repeat 3x)
Mayday Red Hobie Sailing Kayak
My position is (GPS Coord, estimated position, or distance and direction from known point)
I am … (state the nature of your distress; injured, capsized, etc)
There are (total number) people aboard.
Report final information, status of those aboard, and to please send help immediately.
Over.
– Release transit button
– Listen on Channel 16, if you hear nothing then repeat the Mayday call.
Weather Forecasts
NOAA (general weather synopsis)
hwww.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/?n=severe
Magic Seaweed (surf conditions, swell and wind direction, wind speed, tides, sunrise and sunset times, air and sea temps)
www.magicseaweed.comNOAA Buoy Forecasts (current and forecasted swell height, direction, and average period {APD — time between swells})
www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Swell Info (similar to NOAA Buoy Forecast)
www.swellinfo.com