foamballer said..

The ICOM IC-M23 looks pretty good - this was the best price I could see: http://www.prestigecom.net.au/Icom-IC-M23-Submersible-VHF-Marine-Radio. I've no connection with this company.
In terms of laser flares - Mikeman - I can't work out what's in your kit? are they all spare batteries? Or is your kit for pyrotechnic flares?

Sorry, foamballer, I missed this as I have just got back from a 4 day SUP camping trip on Moreton Island with a few mates. My DC14 became a "voyager" and of course the backpack kit went with. Easy.

The flare kit I have has 9 red rocket flares. Here is a link www.painswessex.com/products/non-solas/personal-distress-signal but I am sure there are other options out there these days. There are no batteries as a spring loaded trigger mechanism activates the detonator. The advantage of rocket flares is they can get up relatively high if you are really in trouble out there. Hopefully I will never need to use it, but who knows...