SAFETY BEST STARTING POINT.

Byline: Jeremy Bagott Daily News Staff Writer

The most important safety tool of any boat-camping trip is a simple sheet of paper with some pen marks on it: the float plan.

It includes a few bits of key information given to a friend or loved one who will not be aboard the vessel. Described within is the craft, the duration and details of the trip, destination and stopover ports, who is aboard and any medical conditions crew members may have.

The data can be crucial if a vessel doesn't report back at the appointed time.

Gordon and Janet Groene's ``The ABCs of Boat Camping'' (Sheridan House; $16.50), contains a float-plan form that can be photocopied.

Second only to a float plan is the need for accurate charts. The National Ocean Service/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration makes available charts for the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Great Lakes and Alaska. Call the National Ocean Survey, Distribution Division at [phone] or visit any chandlery or boating supply store.

For charts of lakes and rivers in California, do not contact the district office of the Army Corps of Engineers. Send for an index of topographical maps from the National Cartographic Information Center, 507 National Center, Reston, Va. 22092. A good local source for topos are the large sporting goods stores and shops specializing in mountaineering equipment.

For detailed ocean approach information, see Brian Fagan's ``Cruising Guide to Southern California's Offshore Islands'' (Caractacus Corp.; 805-963-4860), ``Charlie's Charts of the U.S. Pacific Coast'' (P.O. Box 45064, Ocean Park RPO, Surrey, BC V4A 9L1, Canada) or ``Chart Guide California'' (1695 W. Crescent Ave., No. 606, Anaheim, Calif. 92801)

After maps come communications. A debate is now raging over the preferred means of communication if a boater were forced to carry just one device - a VHF radio or a cellular telephone. The VHF offers the advantage of being able to hail other boats, the Coast Guard, bridge tenders, harbor masters on a common frequency, as well as to monitor marine weather forecasts. In a mayday situation, many boats may respond simultaneously to a single call for assistance.

The cell phone, on the other hand, offers the advantage of party-to-party calling. In other words, you're not at the mercy of agencies and fellow boaters who may or may not be monitoring Channel 16.

Then there's logistics. The boat-camper must contend with packing not only the gear that can make or break a camping trip, but the necessary boating equipment as well: first-aid kit, flare kit, fire extinguisher and air horn, drinking water or water-purification equipment, basic and emergency rations, rip-stop tape, signal horns, personal and throwable flotation devices, wrenches, screwdrivers, needle and thread, string, shock cord and lashing.

Last but not least come the little things that make the difference between simple survival and elegance - a corkscrew, lemon, good book and solar shower.

For a good set of basic check lists, not to mention advice on boat-camping etiquette, gear maintenance and cleaning, cooking and kids, see the Groenes' book. Sailboaters may also want to check out Jerry Cardwell's ``Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat'' (Sheridan House; $17.50) for its insights on outfitting a small craft for big duty.

MAKE THE ADVENTURE EASIER

Tips from the bosun's bag:

A dunk bag made of netting attached to a cord can be filled with dirty dishes and thrown overboard for washing at sea.

Kitchen matches can be waterproofed by lighting a utility candle and then dipping the tips in the melted wax. Let dry and, when ready to use, carefully scrape off the wax and light.

Lightly mist an unsliced loaf of bread with vinegar from a spray bottle. Wrap it in two plastic bags, and you'll have doubled its shelf life at sea.

A telescoping boat hook can retrieve a halyard that has run up the mast, pull you into to a mooring buoy or snag the handle on Fido's personal flotation device if he falls overboard.

Parents, don't forget the baby wipes and a spray bottle. A 7-year-old can be wiped down from head to toe with three wipes, rinsed with three tablespoons of fresh water from a spray bottle and towel-dried for a quickie shower.

- Daily News

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO (Color) Boat-camping may be a relaxing notion, but such an outing requires a critical eye for caution and emergency preparedness.

Jeremy Bagott/Daily News

BOX: MAKE THE ADVENTURE EASIER (see text)