Safety Equipment Aboard

Start with the vessel, number and needs of the people aboard, operating area, distance from help, weather, water temperature, daylight, passage length and the rules that apply. A coastal yacht may need correctly fitted lifejackets, harnesses and tethers, suitable alarm and locating methods, fire-fighting equipment, first aid, sound signalling, lighting, communications and a practical means of recovering a person from the water. The exact carriage requirement is not identical for every pleasure vessel or voyage.

For a UK pleasure vessel under 13.7 metres, a liferaft is not automatically mandatory, but the decision should consider distance from other boats and emergency services, water temperature, weather and the consequences of fire or sinking. Choose, stow and service any raft for the actual people and passage; it must be accessible and launchable by the crew who may need it.

A grab bag supplements the equipment already packed in the raft. Its contents therefore depend on the raft, passage and people. Prioritise raising and maintaining the alarm, helping rescuers locate you, protection from exposure, medical needs, then food and water. It may include a registered EPIRB or PLB, waterproof handheld VHF, suitable signals, torch, thermal protection, first aid, medication, water and a safety knife. Keep it accessible, waterproof or buoyant as appropriate, secured and complete.

The departure briefing should show where equipment is, who uses it and what triggers each emergency plan. Check dates, batteries, service indicators and physical access; practice person recovery and make sure someone other than the skipper can raise the alarm and control the vessel. Abandon only when remaining aboard is more dangerous and follow the skipper's or rescue service's direction where available.