Safety Gear
Irrespective of the size and shape of the boat, there are certain minimum requirements that need to be fulfilled. The coast guard has laid down a set of rules with respect to the safety gear to be carried on board. However, the rules are dependent on the state and some states have additional requirements as well. This is only to ensure that the crew is well protected during emergencies. The gear also needs to be well tested, so that there are no unpleasant surprises once the crew is on board.

Accessories
Personal floatation devices are extremely important. In the advent of a catastrophe, the personal floatation device is the only thing that can come to the rescue of the passengers. The personal floatation device in the sailboat has to be readily accessible during all times. They are available in more than 5 sizes. The most appropriate size, which fits all the crew has to be chosen. Pyrotechnic devices like flares, smoke and aerial meteors also need to be maintained on the sailboat. Non pyrotechnic devices like signal flags, balloons, kites etc can also be kept on the sail boat. Electric distress lights are crucial. Though they are not compulsory, they can be a pretty good addition and extremely useful at times. Some states also require sailors to carry fire extinguishers on board.

The Ditch Bag
The ditch bag is a bag made of nylon and it is padded with foam. This bag needs to be used when the sailboat needs to be abandoned. The ditch bag needs to contain certain necessary items like the first-aid kit, the GPS, the compass, batteries, fishing line, toothbrush, paste, signaling devices, flares, survival manual, sea sickness medicines, binoculars, multi purpose knives, sunglasses and of course the documentation for the boat. The ditch bag can help you survive for quite some time even if your sailboat has been abandoned. People often neglect the importance of safety devices. But please do not travel without the necessary gear and safety devices on board.