Yako wrote:How come he had no Epirb/PLB or VHF Radio, or did he?

I'd understood he did. They were in the upturned hull, which apparently he didn't want to open to avoid flooding the hull. Not sure why he couldn't right it but I don't have enough details to know.

shane wrote: They were in the upturned hull, which apparently he didn't want to open to avoid flooding the hull.

Lesson to be learned there

Radio was clipped to his jacket, but was torn off when he was tipped.

maverick wrote:Radio was clipped to his jacket, but was torn off when he was tipped.

Another lesson, make sure it's on a lanyard connected to your PFD (like mine).

Mine is zipped up inside the pocket and lanyarded, same with the PLB.

My PLB is also in my life vest pocket. Flares/strobe and VHF in the front hatch, probably would struggle to get them out if I could not right the yak though.

Mike, no need to mention names but what actually happened. Always can learn a thing or two from these things other than the importance of attaching a lanyard to an esky full of beer!

Hopefully I don't land in a situation like that
I have both radio and PLB strapped to my pfd so hopefully if I do go over they stay there (mob is in wproof pouch in a pocket under pfd)
That reminds me to wear a sheathed knife on my leg/arm in case I need to cut any lines/ropes if I get tangled.

Yako wrote:Hopefully I don't land in a situation like that
I have both radio and PLB strapped to my pfd so hopefully if I do go over they stay there (mob is in wproof pouch in a pocket under pfd)
That reminds me to wear a sheathed knife on my leg/arm in case I need to cut any lines/ropes if I get tangled.

I have a knife on my PFD, and a rope cutter there too.. both on different sides of my jacket so I can grab with either hand if required.

Fish Grylls wrote: no need to mention names but what actually happened. Always can learn a thing or two from these things other than the importance of attaching a lanyard to an esky full of beer!

a good point -- lets face it Epirb/PLB - Flares and radio needed as offshore safety items are there for an emergency , if you can't get to them or they are locked away they are of little use

I must say I clip my radio onto the PFD and will look at fitting a lanyard as well - I fitted my Epirb on my prowlers esky lid in a position that is accessible with me on or swimming beside the yak ( I also fitted a stainless carabiner to the end of the Epirb lanyard that can be cliped to me if the yak was sinking )

my flares are in a dry bag and that is kept above deck as well with a short leash attached

Thankfully on the Viking Reload you can access almost all your hatches without flooding the kayak, I've never had to keep anything in the big hatch at the front although I might still think of a way that I can secure the epirb and flares to my PFD somehow.