| For sailors cruising along national and international | | | | the idea of needing to abandon one’s sailboat, |
| coastlines, prepping one’s sailboat is essential | | | | a sailor must be prepared for all emergency |
| for enjoying the perfect vacation. Although | | | | situations. For these situations, safety and survival |
| outfitting a sailboat with the proper sailboat parts | | | | gear such as lifejackets and buoys are required |
| is extremely important, it is also important to | | | | for all sailing vessels. Other sailboat safety gear |
| equip sailors with efficient navigation tools and | | | | include: first aid kits, fire extinguishers, safety |
| safety gear. | | | | harnesses, and Emergency Position Indicating |
| Venturing out on the sea for an extended period | | | | Radiobeacon (EPIRB). For instance, ACR |
| of time offers both adventures and risks. | | | | Electronics produces EPIRBs that are guaranteed |
| However, with the proper equipment, some of | | | | to ensure your safety when overboard your |
| these risks can be avoided. Specifically, charting a | | | | sailboat. By transmitting a sailor's GPS position and |
| course for one’s journey may be difficult if | | | | identifier to SARSAT satellites, this took works as |
| the sailor is new to the region. With this said, | | | | an internal GPS receiver and immediately notifies |
| modern navigation technology is becoming | | | | search and rescue (SAR) forces. Special features |
| increasingly available for all sailors to utilize. | | | | include: FastACQTM GPS engine, 100 m GPS |
| Aside from popular boat GPS units, improvements | | | | position accuracy, provides a GPS acquisition test, |
| in navigation software for PCs have become | | | | a full functional self test of internal circuitry, and |
| another favorite in the latest navigation | | | | battery voltage test, and automatically activates |
| technology. Particularly, Maptech offers software | | | | when out of bracket and in the water or can be |
| such as the “Chart Navigator Pro” that | | | | manually activated. Both safety hardware for |
| promises to be easy to use and clear. Its special | | | | sailing (e.g. lifejackets) and technological devices |
| features include: new GPS planning and navigation | | | | facilitate in aiding a sailor’s survival. |
| software, best cartography, complete coverage | | | | It is very crucial for sailors and their families to be |
| on all U.S. coastal areas and major rivers, free | | | | ready for their sailing excursion by not only |
| chart updates and weather forecasts. Knowing | | | | practicing caution but also by possessing the |
| the right course and direction for one’s | | | | appropriate sailing tools. A sailor and his or her |
| sailboat is imperative in both safely steering the | | | | family can fully enjoy long vacations out on the |
| vessel and reaping all the fun benefits from the | | | | sea with the proper navigation equipment and |
| sailing vacation. | | | | safety gear. |
| Although it may be frightening to even conjure up | | | | |