Having the right safety gear aboard your saltwater fishing boat is a high priority, but just as important is the ability to access all of the equipment in a hurry. When a situation turns bad at sea, it often does so with surprising speed, be it swift moving weather systems, high winds, swamping, sinking, fire or hard grounding in heavy seas. That is why astute captains pre-assemble a ditch bag (aka abandon-ship bag) with their emergency supplies — such as a VHF radio, lights and a signaling beacon — all in one place. If the time ever comes to abandon ship, the last thing you need to worry about is collecting what to take with you. ![Always prepare for the worst when venturing to sea.]()
