Water temps offshore are rising rapidly and over the next few weeks the Dolphin will begin their spring/summer run offshore. Combine the upcoming activity with the already strong Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna bite and offshore waters will become downright crowded between seasoned charters and weekend warriors.
Even though there is generally lots of company on the ocean this time of year, extremely dangerous conditions can hit with little to no warning. From a pop up afternoon thunderstorm churning up the ocean with high winds and waves, to a failed thru hull fitting, to a rough wave crashing over the stern one must be prepared regardless of vessel size. Obviously being prepared means having the proper safety gear and ensuring the safety gear is in tip top condition. As technologies have advanced significantly over the last 10-years many safety devices have become more affordable and are fortunately becoming common on most vessels.
Locator beacons (PLBs or EPIRBS) and strobes are two devices that should be on every vessel that leaves the jetties in my opinion. These devices are downright economical and they will dramatically increase the likelihood of you being found should your vessel go down or should you have some type of life threating emergency. Unfortunately many folks buy these items, throw them in a safety locker, life raft, or ditch bag and forget about them. So what happens when the situation arises and you need the life saving device and the batteries are dead? Most PLB and EPIRB manufacturers recommend changing the batteries, changing the waterproof seals, and having the unit professionally inspected and tested at least every 5-years. Strobes require the same service except depending on design they may require more frequent inspections and the service may be completed by the owner as opposed to requiring professional attention.
As you begin to re-rig your offshore baits, take a minute and check the inspection certificate on these devices as well as the rest of your safety gear. Dead b