There are 5 mandatory safety devices required for all boat owners to have onboard:
- Life Jackets (PFD)
- Fire Extinguishers (Minimum of 2 Class B)
- Throwable flotation devices (Lifesling + Cushins)
- Visual signaling devices (Flares)
- Sound signaling devices (Air Horn)
Personal Flotation Devices
A new addition has been a West Marine branded Sterns A-33 Automatic Offshore PFD. A bit expensive but you never want to skimp on personal safety.
My two other PDFs have all been recharged this year. The Admiral noticed that they have never been re-armed, only annually inspected. They turned out to be in need of a little TLC so she went to West Marine for Leyland replacement kits. These self inflating lifejackets have a colored indicator to let you know when they need a re-arming. “Green means go/good, red means no/replace” Here's a good article on how to re-arm them.
We also carry 8 throwable floatation cushions, for a total of 11 USCG approved floatation devices.
Sterns SOSpenders (blue)
Self inflating
V86000 Pro
1F Manual/Automatic
38gram CO2 cylinder
Bayonet Assembly w/1/2" thread
Comes with 1-V80040 Yellow Bobbin
Order new
Mustang Survival (red)
Manual Inflator System
840 Series
33 gram co2 cylinder
w/1/2" thread
840AMU-85202Z
849AML gasket
with 6 extra green indicator pins
Order new
Fire Extinguishers
Also purchased new (May 2017). Most extinguishers last between five and 15 years. They are cheap enough, so we replace every few years, and never try to have them rebuilt. The old ones we take to a hazardous waste facility. We updated when the Kid Fire Extinguisher recall was issued.
Types of Fire Extinguishers:
Fire Extinguishers are classified by letters and numbers according to the class (type) and the size fire they can put out. The letter (A, B or C), indicates the class of fire. The number (1, 3, 5, 10, etc.), is a measure of the capacity of the extinguisher - the larger the number the greater the capacity.
Coast Guard Requirements:
For our 36 footer, 2 Class B-1 or 1 Class B-II is required, at a minimum. Class B fires are flammable liquids and gases such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, alcohol, grease, paints, propane, etc.
We tend to carry 5 extinguishers onboard. One in the starboard lazarette, one in the galley behind the sink, one at the fuze box, and 2 spares next to the starboard bunk. Overkill? Probably. But most B-I extinguishers will typically only last approximately 8-12 seconds.
If you ever find you need to use one, remember the “PASS” Principle:
- Pull the pin at the top of the cylinder
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
- Squeeze or press the handle
- Sweep the contents from side to side at the base of the fire until it goes out
Flares
Also purchased new (July 2020). Replace flares and all other pyrotechnic signaling devices (like smoke signals) every 42 months from date of manufacture. No auto/roadside flares as they must be USCG approved. Typically, this means that you must replace your flares every three boating seasons. 5 things you should know about flares.
Ditch Bag
Contents (May 2017)
12 Should-Have Safety Equipment for Your Boat
Depending on the type of boating you do and where you do it, some of these may be required or only recommended items. Either way, you can pack most of these aboard even the smallest of boats.
- Medical kit for cuts, scrapes, seasickness or small emergencies
- Anchor with line to hold your boat in place while you wait for help to arrive
- Bailing device or bucket to dewater and stay afloat
- Oars or paddles if the engine quits
- Cellphone to call for help
- VHF radio to call for help
- Knife to cut a line around a fouled propeller
- Snorkel mask to inspect what’s going on under the boat
- Heavy duty flashlight
- Skier or diver down flag
- Working running lights if your boat is equipped with them
- A way to get weather updates because things can change quickly even on a lake
