Does your boat satisfy the legal requirements for safety equipment?
It goes without saying that a well-prepared boat is essential. But that doesn’t mean simply stocking the fridge full of Chardonnay and making sure the bathing platform is polished. The right safety equipment could end up saving your life, so it’s crucial to ensure everything is in order. Not only that, even pleasure vessels up to 13.7 metres long are required by law to carry certain items for use in an emergency. So, before you install marine satellite internet or the latest joystick manoeuvring system, check your sea lockers for the mandatory items of safety paraphernalia.
Radar detector
Small boats, in particular those constructed using fibreglass, will return a weak echo to the radar. To ensure your boat is visible to ships using vessel tracking and a monitoring system radar as their main means of navigation, a detector is crucial.
Life-saving signals table
An illustrated copy of the life-saving signals should be readily available to all those aboard the boat. In the event of distress, these signals and boat signs will be used to communicate with the emergency services or members of maritime rescue operations.
Navigation lights and shapes
These are used to show the status of a boat whilst at sea and indicate the direction of travel when underway. The laws concerning lights should be adhered to from sunrise to sunset and when visibility is restricted.
Fire fighting equipment
A fire at sea is everyone’s worst nightmare. Once flames take hold, it’s difficult to successfully tackle the blaze, therefore prevention is far better than cure. But if a fire does occur, it’s essential to have appropriate firefighting equipment and be confident in how to use it.
It’s important to remember that having these items onboard doesn’t guarantee their functionality. Each item should be regularly checked for damage, and those likely to perish should be replaced at regular intervals, not just during boat refits and repairs.
Need help selecting safety equipment for your boat? Get in touch with one of our friendly team members and we’ll have you setting sail safely into the sunset.
