Albemarle 288 EXPRESS FISHERMAN, Owner'S Manual

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288 OBXF
may lose their strength or become unstable as they age. Ask
a medical professional about the supplies you should carry
and the safe shelf life of prescription drugs or other medical
supplies that may be in your first-aid kit. Replace questionably
old supplies whether they have been used or not.
In many emergency situations, the Coast Guard can provide
assistance in obtaining medical advice for treatment of serious
injuries or illness. If you are within VHF range of a Coast
Guard Station, make the initial contact on channel 16 and
follow their instructions.
11.8 Additional Safety Equipment
Besides meeting the legal requirements, prudent boaters carry
additional safety equipment. This is particularly important
if you operate your boat offshore. You should consider the
following items, depending on how you use your boat.
Satellite EPIRBS
EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
operate as part of a worldwide distress system. When activated,
EPIRBs will send distress code homing beacons that allow
Coast Guard aircraft to identify and find them quickly. The
satellites that receive and relay EPIRB signals are operated
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) in the United States. The EPIRB should be mounted
and registered according to the instructions provided with the
beacon, so that the beacon’s unique distress code can be used
to quickly identify the boat and owner.
Marine Radio
A marine radio is the most effective method of receiving
information and requesting assistance. VHF marine radios
are used near shore and single sideband radios are used for
long range communication.
There are specific frequencies to use in an emergency. The
VHF emergency channel is 16 in the United States. You
should read the owners manual for your radio and know how
to use it in an emergency or for normal operation. If you hear
a distress call you should assist or monitor the situation until
help is provided.
Additional Equipment to Consider:
VHF Radio Life Raft
Spare Anchor Fenders
Heaving Line Mirror
First Aid Kit Tool Kit
Flashlight & Batteries Anchor
Searchlight Boat Hook
Sunburn Lotion Mooring Lines
Ring Buoy Binoculars
Whistle or Horn Extra Clothing
Portable Radio Chart and Compass
Marine Hardware Food & Water
Spare Keys Sunglasses
Spare Parts Spare Propeller