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A well-prepared selection of safety equipment is certain to help in difficult situations.

Here are six of the most common items to keep on board the vessel:

Smoke alarm

A high-quality smoke alarm is designed to emit a LOUD noise which should be easily heard over other sounds on the boat, such as the engines. Also, a loud smoke detector is practical for alerting the offices at the boat yard should a fire break when the vessel is left unoccupied.

Fire extinguishers

A vessel should be installed with a sufficient number of fire extinguishers to match the type and size of vessel. Plus, boats with a cabin or cooking facilities can benefit from a fire blanket. An automatic fire extinguisher system is highly recommended in vessels with an enclosed engine space. A small fire extinguisher located by each cabin is a practical option. Plus, a carbon monoxide alarm is helpful for vessels with cookers or similar applications with flames.

Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)

An EPIRB is a radio transmitter that emits a signal on a specific channel in the event of emergencies or distress. Signals emitted from the radio beacon are recognized by satellites and these are effective at pinpointing the location of the signal. This information is then passed on to the rescue services.

An emergency position indicating radio beacon can be registered with the local coastguard service to make it easier to identify the boat in distress, while also giving information on contacts that are shore based.

Distress flares

An instantly recognizable signal of distress is the inshore or coastal flares. Distress flares should form part of any well-packed inventory of safety equipment.

First aid kit

A fully stocked first aid kit is likely to be the most common piece of safety equipment that is kept on board a vessel.

Life jackets and buoyancy aids

There are two types of personal floatation devices: Life jackets and buoyancy aids

A regular buoyancy aid is effective at keeping anyone in the water afloat and on the surface. It is a practical choice while involved in a sports activity or similar. However, this type of buoyancy aid isn’t helpful if the person is unconscious and their face is facing down.

The preferred choice for life safety is the life jacket which has built-in buoyancy to help turn a person so that they are facing up, which is a practical benefit for those knocked unconscious. A proper life jacket is critical in situations of abandoning ship or similar emergencies. Plus, an infant or child life jacket is available to ensure the right fit and support is given.

What to wear?

Buoyancy aid: Use the buoyancy aid when engaging in water sport activities like water skiing, canoeing, kayaking; windsurfing, riding a personal watercraft (PWC), or using a sailing dinghy.

Life jacket: A life jacket is the safety option when on a small open or power boat. A boat should have one life jacket for each person on board. Use a life jacket at all times for the non-swimmer when out on rivers, lakes, canals, or other open waters.

Always be prepared whether it is using a Jet Ski, a canoe, or a sailboat. Statistics taken from boat incidents indicate a helmsman who has completed a boat safety or has a life jacket on is more likely to stay safe at sea.

Common causes of boating incidents include:

Insufficient experience
Lack of attention
Recklessness
Speeding

Be aware of what is needed in the event of an emergency and have an operational understanding of the major components of boating equipment.

Here are eleven safe boating tips:

1 – Avoid alcohol

Limit alcohol use on board the boat to increase the ability to boat safely. Alcohol can increase the chance of being involved in an accident by nearly 50%. Plus the effects of alcohol at sea are made worse by the sun and wind.

2 – Boating course

Whether it is a starter or a refresher course, a boater is certain to benefit if able to abide by the proper boat safety rules and regulations. Even thought the boating course might vary from state to state, it still helps to be prepared and educated on the different circumstances that might arise at sea. Boat safety courses are offered on or offline and range from basic to expert tuition.

3 – Common sense

Any boat should be safely operated within the vessels limits and helmsman’s experience. Operate powerboats at a safe and appropriate speed for the waters used. Use lights in low-light conditions. Someone on-board should keep a lookout. Plus, be mindful of potential risks while on the water, such as swamping or capsizing, crossing bars, boating alone, and nighttime excursions.

4 – Engine and fuel

Any boat with an inboard or outboard engine should be inspected before departure to ensure it is working properly. Plus, make certain enough fuel is on board to complete both legs of the journey. A fuel margin of about 50% in excess is often recommended.

5 – Inspect craft and safety equipment

Give the boat a thorough visual inspection before departing from port. Be certain the vessel, motor, and safety equipment is suited to the intended travel plan and conditions. Safety gear should be in great condition. Flares or similar distress equipment should in date (expired flares might not give the desired performance).

6 – Learn to swim

Get swimming classes if planning on being in and around water on a regular basis. Look up classes in the local area and this will help increase the confidence when boating at sea.

7 – Let others know

Notify others and let a responsible other person know the intended cruising plan and when you expect to arrive back at port. Any notified person should also be in a position to give a description of the boat.

Leave behind the follow information:

Contact details (mobile phone number, address, and name) of the skipper
Passenger information
Boat registration and type & class
Trip itinerary
Communication options on board

8 – Pre-departure checklist

Use a pre-departure checklist to help with increasing safety when out on the open waters. A well-planned departure list should reduce the chance of any safety precautions or rules being forgotten or overlooked.

9 – Safety equipment

In addition to the life jackets, other safety equipment to pack on board the boat includes:

Life ring (throwable) or similar device (use on any vessel 16-ft or more)
Cell phone or similar means to call for help (VHF radio, whistle, flares, etc.)
Charts or maps
Fire extinguishers
First aid kit
Operable boat lights (test before leaving the mooring)

10 – Use of life jackets

Wear a life jacket. A high percentage of drowning victims are those that decide to go against wearing a life jacket. It isn’t possible to know what might take place when out on the open water. A life jacket should be available for each passenger on board and at the right size (child to adult sizes). Wear the life jacket with the straps fully fasten to ensure you are kept afloat should you for any reason go overboard.

11 – Weather-wise

Before departing on sailing trip or a powerboat cruise make sure to check on the local weather forecast. TV, radio, or internet is a great source to get a complete picture of the expected weather. Avoid issues like sudden drops in temperature, changing, rough, or volatile winds, or darkening clouds. Play safe and stay off the water. Weather can change suddenly on the sea and you could be in difficulty within a short time.