What should I have packed and ready to go for a first time tug voyage (40 days) in NY in fall/winter? What do I need? What will I really want to make life a bit easier? Many thanks.
You know, someone on here ought to write a post to all the new guys about what to expect. They could include tips on what to pack in their seabag, what to expect, help in interviewing…etc. they could call it “read this first”. That would really help all the guys looking for tips. Let’s get that going guys, huh?
I have found this website to be helpful in getting the right supplies needed for going to sea.
Thanks.
“I always have binos, an extension cord, sirius radio, camera, & laptop”
“NY Harbor in the winter SUCKS, layer up”
“I went with half as many socks as I should have”
“polarized glasses (and back up pair)”
[QUOTE=Mullet Farm;84444]What should I have packed and ready to go for a first time tug voyage (40 days) in NY in fall/winter? What do I need? What will I really want to make life a bit easier? Many thanks.[/QUOTE]
Using the venerable search function in the upper right hand corner returned 10 pages of results. After sorting through a few of them, this one popped up:
There may be more, too.
[QUOTE=water;84576]Using the venerable search function in the upper right hand corner returned 10 pages of results. After sorting through a few of them, this one popped up:
There may be more, too.[/QUOTE]
Thank you all. Bag is packed. Back ups of several critical items (sunglasses/lights/gloves) were an excellent idea.
After some thought and feedback I’ve compiled a 2 week go-bag/kit as a first time deckhand/OS for New York Harbor in Autumn (pictured laid out as well http://s10.postimage.org/v5q81j9gp/photo_37.jpg). I believe it to be reasonably complete and hopefully saves someone else a lot of time:
steel toed boots (used/broken in)
slippers/Crocs
handheld VHF/charger
AM/FM radio/batteries
extension cord/power strip
primary + back up sunglasses
primary + back up flashlight (charger/batteries)
work gloves (3 pair, different weight)
sharpened lock blade/clip
rubber gloves/dust mask
documents (z-card, TWIC, passport, CPR/AED First Aid certificates, etc.)
wipes
paperback
binoculars
heat pad
energy shots
towel/sheets
5 pair high quality well fitting non-cotton socks
quick drying underwear
hoodie
feece vest
coveralls
work jeans (Dickies)
rain gear
wool cap
baseball cap
water bottle/coffee thermos to-go
5 used t-shirts from Goodwill
1 lb Snickers
1 sack of Florida oranges
laptop/iPhone/back up prepaid cell phone (different carrier)
waterproof wheeled duffle
*anything I didn’t already own I found used or via eBay, saved a lot this way
Don’t bring a VHF. Use the boats.
[QUOTE=Tugted;86018]Don’t bring a VHF. Use the boats.[/QUOTE]
I bring my own so I know what I have, where it is, what kind of condition it is in, and I don’t have to share…
I have started leaving my good binocs at home, but frequently regret it when I have to use the cheap ones in the wheelhouse.
You must have a huge room to put all this stuff.
The sack of oranges is the size of a seabag itself lol…don’t forget to bring a 40" TV with all of your surround sound speakers too… Heh
I take less stuff than that to a 3 month hitch in Antarctica. Note to self: I should really try getting a sack of oranges through customs in Chile.
You have a good seabag going. I’m up in Albany now and it’s starting to get cold. Be sure you have layers for the really cold nights. It’s been raining on and off for the last 2 weeks. I have a pair of Carhartt coveralls that are worth their weight in gold. Stay warm my friend.
Mullet Farm, you’re off to a great start. I agree with anything Carhartt. Love the Carhartt insulated hooded zipper sweatshirts. You can zip or unzip them. The hood keeps your neck protected and of course the head. I’m a big fan of long underwear tops, not so much the bottoms.Underwear tops, get the next size up from what you might normally wear on shore, gives you room to move and they shrink.
After a few trips you’ll add or subtract. A small MP3 player with FM radio might give you something for the off hours.
Be humble, do what your told, when you’re not sure about an order or instructions, don’t be afraid to ask for further clarification. If something looks unsafe or your not sure you can do something safely ask for help or guidance.
Your goal should be to return to your home and family uninjured and healthy after every trip. If this means you pack heavy the first couple of trips, that’s cool.
I pack pretty much what Mullet Farm does without the vhf, binoculars, and oranges. As an engineer I bring 3 flashlights with batteries. E-readers take up less room than paperbacks too. I usually pack my oldest worn out clothes(not socks) then toss them after a 90 day hitch, except what I travel home in. Makes coming home easier when you are tired and don’t feel like lugging a lot. I work in the gulf now and have to pack 28 days of shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, floss as sometimes we are out 28 days and stores are few and far between here in Fourchon, La.
Update: VHF was redundant, I replaced steel toed boots with steel toed boat/work shoes in dry weather/empty barges, several hoodies from Goodwill, instant hot pack hand Warner’s, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: “Henri Lloyd Winter Sailing Gloves”. (neoprene). Staying comfy in NY Harbor/LI Sound/Albany. No complaints.
If company mentions “safety toed boot” do not go with steel toed in winter, get a pair of composite toed. Had both in AK / WC & NE winters. Once that steel is cold, it stays cold, & don’t put too many socks on, that will restrict circulation.
The winter so far up here has not been too cold at all. What company in NY are you going to?
If the company even lets you use composite toe
That’s all I wear now. So much lighter.