The genesis of this was a trip from the Chesapeake up the Potomac, which is a long trip in a slow trawler. My wife and I were constantly heading down to the cabin to get bottles, wipes, diaper cream – whatever. The ability to communicate between decks, we found, would be nice. We also realized that, in an overboard situation, the person piloting from the flying bridge would not likely hear a cry for help from someone in the water. One of us could leave the other behind without even knowing it.

GLEN JUSTICEGreco makes a small version of its popular Pack 'N Play, which fits on the flying bridge and helps contain children while mom and dad are docking.We started with a pair of affordable walkie-talkie style radios, but they were easily misplaced and their batteries didn't hold much of a charge. They work, but not all that well. A better solution came when we replaced our primary VHF radio in the cabin with an Icom unit that had an intercom function. We added a "command microphone" to the VHF, which allows it to be controlled remotely, and installed that mike on the flying bridge.

The resulting configuration allows us to communicate from bridge to cabin via an intercom powered by a single radio – and it wasn't all that expensive. We now have a rule when we cruise alone that anyone who goes down checks in when they arrive and again when they head back up.

Truthfully, not every addition we have made to the boat worked so well. One big disappointment was a wireless remote unit that I installed to control the autopilot. I had hoped that the Raymarine SmartController would help me step away from the helm and maintain control of the boat. To further its utility, I located it in the lower helm so that I could control the autopilot from there without adding a second, mounted panel.

But the reality was that it never worked very well. The unit I received had a paltry battery life – less than an hour at times – which severely limited its use. I grew to mistrust it. I inquired about it to my electronics dealer, who said it was a common complaint. Raymarine offered a repair if I sent the unit in, but I opted against it. It was a piece of gear I didn't need and didn't trust, and so I decided not to pursue it. The unit still sits on my dash, but I consider it retired.

SAFETY GEAR

Of course, modifications to the boat are only part of the childproofing equation. Several well-chosen pieces of gear – some for safety and some for convenience – are also required.

The most obvious are personal floatation devices. Recommending specific models is beyond the scope of a story like this, and I urge you to do your own research. Read product tests and manufacturer's claims, then take your children to a marine store and have them wear each vest. Choose a unit that fits well without riding up (a crotch strap helps) and that has adequate buoyancy and head support. After you buy something, test it in a swimming pool.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself with more than one or two. Children grow quickly, requiring upgrades to maintain a proper fit. Most of our friends also have children, and they too need vests when they come on the boat. At times, we have had up to four small children aboard, and so we carry extras. At last count, I had 14 child-sized life vests in varying sizes and configurations on board.

Of course, all of the standard pieces of safety gear – floatation aids, throw lines, flares, portable bilge pump, hand-held VHF radio, EPIRB, fire extinguishers and the like – become even more essential when you have young lives in your care. We upgraded almost all of our safety gear, and added extra units where we felt it was warranted, including an expansion of the ditch bag to accommodate supplies for the children.

I have not yet invested in a canister life raft, though it is high on my list. Until then, we make sure the dinghy and engine are in working order and ready to deploy. Our tender is mounted on the stern and we use it regularly, so this is not difficult. (I also have a second, smaller raft on deck in a valise). When tender and engine are not working, I will not go out with my children aboard.

GLEN JUSTICEEmmett, 7 months, sits in the Bebe Pod, a foam rubber seat that holds him secure and safe while the author steers. It has an optional tray for feeding.

BABY GEAR

While floatation devices and safety gear are necessities, there are many other pieces of equipment that simply make life easier. For example, we have several pieces of gear allow me to keep the kiddies corralled during docking, while my wife goes below to fend off and tie us up.

Graco, the manufacturer of the Pack "˜N Play, an all-in-one portable playpen, changing table and crib that is a fixture in every family household I know of, makes a smaller model that fits reasonably well on our flying bridge. It is a simple matter to toss the babies in when the time comes. Usually, they go willingly. But I am willing to let them cry in order to tie up safely.

We also carry an alternative known as a BeBe Pod, which is a foam rubber chair that seats infants securely. I can place it on the cushions next to the helm and keep an eye on my youngest as I maneuver into the slip. If he were to fall – and he never has – it's just a few inch drop onto the soft foam of the seat.

We also carry an umbrella stroller that folds tight; a small tabletop high chair with straps and a snap-on table; and a short bed rail that, miraculously, fits onto the bed in our master cabin and keeps the kiddies from rolling over the side.