With the incalculable number of boating apps, your mobile phone becomes increasingly valuable on board, which is a problem if it’s still vulnerable to water damage.
Of course, you can shield your phone from spray or an incidental dunking in the livewell with a protector such as a LifeProof Fr¯e waterproof case ($79.99 for an iPhone 5; lifeproof.com).
These are great for boaters, yet even with a case, your phone won’t float; if you drop it overboard in deep water, you’re incommunicado.
To the rescue is the LifeProof LifeJacket ($39.99 for an iPhone 5 case). Molded from closed-cell foam, it fits snuggly around the company’s waterproof case. The bright distress-orange color makes it easy to find if your phone goes in the drink.
Like many real life jackets, the case adds bulk, so it can be difficult to stuff in your pocket, but it comes with lanyards — one for your neck and one for your wrist. I like to wear mine around my neck, tucking it under the jacket to keep it from whipping about in rough water.
