On a catamaran, coastal cruising around the UK offers wonderful freedom – but the sea can turn quickly. A well-prepared grab bag is your lifeline if you need to abandon ship or deal with an emergency. It should be packed with the essentials you need to survive and signal for help, and it must be stored where you can grab it in seconds. Here’s how to put one together.

Why a grab bag is different on a catamaran

Catamarans have plenty of space, which is a blessing for cruising but a curse for emergency prep. It’s easy to spread your safety gear across lockers, and when panic strikes, you don’t want to be hunting. Unlike a monohull, a catamaran won’t self-right if it capsizes, so you may need to step up into a liferaft or hang on until rescue. Your grab bag should be a single, portable container – a waterproof rucksack or dry bag – that holds everything you need for at least 24 hours. Think of it as your survival kit, not a general toolkit.

Water and warm layers: the core of survival

In UK coastal waters, cold is a bigger threat than thirst in the short term, but both matter. Pack at least two litres of water per person, in sturdy bottles or pouches. Avoid fizzy drinks or alcohol – you need plain water. For warmth, layer up. Include a thermal base layer, a fleece mid-layer, and a waterproof and windproof outer shell for each person. Add woolly hats, gloves, and thick socks. A foil survival blanket or bivvy bag is tiny but can make a huge difference. Remember, even in summer, sea temperatures around the UK can be 12–15°C, and wind chill on a catamaran’s trampoline is brutal. Pack these items in dry bags within your grab bag.

Signalling for help: flares and handheld VHF

If you’re in a liferaft or clinging to the hull, you need to be seen and heard. A handheld waterproof VHF radio is your primary means of calling for help. Choose one with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and GPS, and keep it charged. Store it in the grab bag, but also consider a spare battery pack. Flares are still vital – pack a mix of parachute rockets, handheld red flares, and orange smoke. Check expiry dates annually. In UK waters, you must follow local regulations for flare storage and disposal. Also include a powerful waterproof torch with spare batteries, and a whistle or air horn. A laser flare or LED distress light can be a useful addition, but traditional pyrotechnics remain the most widely recognised.

First aid and personal essentials

A well-stocked first aid kit is non-negotiable. Include antiseptic wipes, plasters, bandages, blister plasters, painkillers, seasickness tablets, and any personal prescription medicines. Add a small bottle of hand sanitiser and a thermal emergency blanket. Don’t forget sun cream and lip balm – even on cloudy days, reflection off the water burns. If anyone has allergies, include antihistamines and an adrenaline auto-injector if prescribed. A small multi-tool, duct tape, and a couple of strong bin bags can fix leaks or improvise shelter. Keep the kit in a waterproof case and check it every season.

Stowing your grab bag for instant access

Where you store the grab bag is as important as what’s inside. On a catamaran, the companionway is often the best spot – near the hatch but not blocking it. Avoid deep lockers or under bunk cushions. The bag should be reachable from the cockpit and from inside the saloon. If you have a liferaft, stow the grab bag next to it. Make sure everyone on board knows exactly where it is and what it contains. Practise grabbing it in under ten seconds – seriously, time yourselves. In an emergency, muscle memory matters.

Keeping your grab bag ready for action

An out-of-date flare or a dead VHF battery is worse than useless. Set a reminder to check your grab bag at the start of every season and before any long passage. Replace water that’s been sitting for months, test the VHF, and inspect flares for damage. Rotate warm layers so they stay dry and mould-free. After each trip, repack anything you used. A grab bag is a living kit – treat it with respect and it will serve you when it matters most. Safe sailing, and may you never need it.