Boat Safety Equipment

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The type of safety equipment that must be carried depends on where you plan to take the boat.   There are some exemptions for different types of boat such as tenders, small unpowered inflatable boats and sailboats – but this is a pretty good rough guide.

Enclosed Waters

On enclosed waters you generally need the following safety equipment:

• Lifejacket (Type 1, Type 2,or Type 3) for each person on board
• Anchor and chain/line
• A bailer/bucket, or a bilge pump
• A fire bucket (if you aren’t carrying a bailer bucket)
• Fire Extinguisher
• Paddle or Oars (unless you have a secondary means of propulsion)
• Green safety label issued by NSW Maritime
• Sound Signal (Air Horn, Whistle,Bell) for attracting attention
• Floating waterproof torch.

 

Open Waters

If you are taking your boat on open waters, you will generally need the following in addition to the required safety equipment for enclosed waters:

• Type 1 PFD (this is why I just carry a type 1, so it can be used anywhere)
• Magnetic Compass
• Distress Flares (2 Orange, 2 Red)
• EPIRB – 406Mhz if you’re going more than two nautical miles offshore
• Map/Chart of area (paper ones, electronic ones don’t count)
• Marine Radio (if you’re going more than two nautical miles offshore)
• Orange V-Sheet to help you attract attention
• 2L of drinking water per person on board