By having all the safety equipment in the boat, you can be peaceful. All these electronic devices will help us a lot in an emergency. Here are some of the safety equipment you might need in the boat.
- Vhf radio
- EPIRB
- Thermal imaging cameras (if you boat at night)
- Chartplotter or MultiFunction Display
- Automatic identification system(AIS)
- Satellite phone or messengers
- Depth finder
- Torchlight
- GPS
- Lights during night
These are the main electronic safety devices you need them on the boat. While boating, you need electronic devices for safety. Now, with the improvement in technology, these devices became very useful for boaters.
If you are boating in the seas or oceans, then you might need all of them. Otherwise, if you boat in the lakes, then you might not need all of them, you might not need AIS, Chartplotter, and Satellite phone or messenger.
1. VHF radio
First, we will find, why do we need VHF radio for a boat.
Vhf radio is essential for a boat, with the help of this device you can communicate with others (other boaters or coast guards). If you are in an emergency, then by pressing the emergency switch on the back of the radio will send your location to the coast guards or other boaters near you.
Vhf radio is a very common device you will see on many boats. The most reliable, least expensive, and the best way to get in touch with the coast guards is with the help of VHF radio.
While buying a VHF radio, make sure it has built-in GPS in it, built-in GPS is very useful for a VHF radio. After buying a VHF radio, make sure to make it DSC active.
Every VHF radio will have an emergency switch on the back of the device. If you press that switch, it will send your location(with the help of GPS) to the coast guards or other boaters within the range. You can use that switch if you enable DSC active in it. Otherwise, you can’t.
Many coast guards when there are searching for someone in the sea they will check whether the radio is DSC active or not. What DSC does is it allows coast guards to use your radio transmission and find your exact location very quickly.
Check my article on Consider these things while buying a VHF radio (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In this article, I mentioned everything you need to check while buying a VHF radio (for both handheld and fixed mount VHF radio).
Image is linked to Amazon or click here (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). This is the best VHF radio you can buy. It is a bit expensive and worth buying it.
2. EPIRB
First, we will find, why do we need EPIRB for a boat
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon is essential for a boat because whenever you are in an emergency, you can use this device to send the alert to the coast guards. EPIRB transmits signals directly to the satellite. So, the coast guard will get notified, and they will help you out.
This device will alert search and rescue services (SAR) in case of an emergency out at sea. It is a tracking device that transmits a signal on a specified band to locate a lifeboat or people in distress.
EPIRB transmits signals directly to the satellite. The signal consists of a digital code that gives information such as the boat’s identification, date of the event, the nature of distress, and the position.
The satellite receiving terminals on the ground (Local User Terminal) uses that digital code and send it to MRCC (Mission Rescue Co-Ordination Centre). The MRCC is responsible for the SAR operations and oversees the execution of the rescue mission.
If the GPS fails. The geosynchronous satellite orbiting around the earth can pick the radio signals emitted by the EPIRB. In this case, we can’t narrow down the boat or user, it will give the close range.
Read this marine insight’s article to check the complete guide of EPIRB (don’t worry, it will open in new tab) They had explained everything about the EPIRB in detail.
3. Thermal imaging cameras
These thermal imaging cameras are essential if you are using your boat at night. First, we will find, why do we need to have a thermal imaging camera on a boat.
If you have these thermal imaging cameras on your boat at night, you can see what is there in front of your boat if there is no light. These cameras will detect the objects based on heat, not based on light. So, you can see everything clearly, if there is no light with the help of these cameras.
First off all this device is a bit expensive. So, don’t buy them unnecessarily if you don’t boat at night. A thermal imaging camera makes videos out of the heat, not light. Regular cameras make videos or images with the help of visible light, just like our eyes do, whereas these cameras make videos from heat, warmer objects appear white, cooler objects appear dark in general.
Thermal imaging cameras are not the same as the night vision cameras. Night vision cameras need a little bit of light to function properly, if they didn’t get enough light, you can’t see anything, if you get more light then you can’t see anything too.
Thermal imaging cameras will work regardless of light. Thermal imaging cameras work through the smoke and fog or mist. With the help of these cameras, you can drive your boat in a fog without worrying about what is ahead of your boat.
Nowadays, these camera brands are producing cameras with high-quality standards, and they are giving a small screen with a camera. You can fix the screen near the steering wheel. With the help of the screen, you can operate the camera and you can see in all directions.
These cameras come with a 360-degree angle and 90 degrees tilt angle. We can see in every direction and every angle with the help of these cameras. So, by fixing these cameras on a boat will help you a lot while sailing at night.
Sionyx camera has a small eyepiece in the camera, with the help of that, we can use the camera as a telescope too. These cameras have many advantages, have this kind of camera on your boat if you want to sail at night safely.
Image is linked to Amazon or click here (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). It is a perfect choice for boating at night. But, don’t buy them unless you boat at night.
Check my article on Safety gear for boating at night: A complete guide (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In this article, I mentioned everything you need to have on your boat if you are boating at night.
4. Chartplotter or Multifunction Display
Chartplotter is another essential device you need to have it on your boat. First, let us find, why do we need to have a Chartplotter or multifunction display on a boat.
Chartplotter is essential for a big boat because, with the help of this device, you can see your location (Maps) on the screen, and in which direction you are heading. It is like google maps for a boat. Generally, Chartplotter is not necessary for a small boat.
While you are using a Chartplotter, you feel like you are using google maps on the boat. The basic functionality of the Chartplotter is to set the destination location point and drive in that direction. That’s why I said it is like google maps for a boat.
It is good to have a Chartplotter on your boat it is very useful if you don’t know in which direction you should travel in the sea or ocean. If you select the location in the Chartplotter, it will navigate your boat in that direction.
There are a variety of devices available out there and pick a good one based on your needs.
5. Automatic identification system(AIS)
First, let us find, why do we need to install an automatic identification system(AIS) on a boat.
By installing an AIS on your boat, you can communicate with other boats in the sea. This will let you see if there are any boats in the given radius or not. If both the boats have this AIS, then you can identify the other boats, you can find the distance among them and type of the boat as well.
The only problem with the Automatic identification system(AIS) is all the boats should have this device installed on their boat. Otherwise, you can’t locate other boats on your radar. To locate the location, both the boats should have this device on their boat.
Other than that, AIS is an excellent device needed to be installed in your boat. You can avoid collisions between the boats with the help of this device. It is like a navigation system, a search rescue system, and all the coast guard boats will use these devices for communication.
Generally, you need to install a class-B type of Automatic identification system(AIS) in your boat. Class-A type is for big passenger ships, and the ships carry the cargo with above 300 tons.
During night time, this device will help you a lot, even if you can’t see anything with the naked eyes. You can see the exact location of the other boats with the help of this device. Even if there is any fog, you can use this device.
Range depends on the types of the device you buy. The class – B Automatic identification system has a range of 5 – 10 nautical miles. Which is good enough for a sailboat.
The automatic identification system (AIS) will follow certain symbols to tell which type of boat, others are using. Based on that, you can take the necessary steps. It is a good device and essential for the boat.
6. Satellite phone or messengers
First, we will see, why do we need a satellite messenger in the boat?
The name itself tells us that it is used to send messages or sometimes emails with the help of the satellite. If you are in an emergency, then you can send the messages to the coast guards with this device.
There are primarily two types of satellite messaging devices, one-way communication device, and two-way communication device. With a one-way communication device, you can only send messages, and you can’t receive any.
With a two-way communication device, you can send and receive messages. There are different types of two-way communication devices. One can only send messages, and other devices can send both messages and emails.
If you buy a big device, then you can use the email option too. With a two-way device, you can send emails too. So, while buying the device itself, you need to decide which one you need a message one or both (message and email).
Still, if you want a bigger option, you can buy a satellite phone for your boat. Whenever you go boating, take a small satellite phone with you. But if you already have a satellite messenger, then no need to buy a satellite phone.
The cost of a satellite phone is a bit higher than a normal phone. Buying a satellite phone isn’t a problem, you can buy one easily. Maintaining a satellite phone is expensive and costs more for every time usage.
You need to buy a subscription plan based on the company you bought your satellite phone. There are only a few models in the market for each company. You can choose their company plans only, not others.
Using a satellite phone is expensive, sometimes it will take 20 dollars for one minute. And again it depends on the plan what you selected while buying.
Don’t stream anything with the help of a satellite phone, it is very expensive. I heard that one guy downloaded a movie using a satellite phone and ended up paying 100,000 dollars. So, don’t use youtube or streaming using a satellite phone.
Watch this video on the types of satellite devices
7. Depth finder
First, we will find, why do we need a depth finder for a boat.
The depth finder on a boat is used to find the depth of the water you are boating in. It measures the depth of the water by sending a sonic pulse and based on the time it takes to receive the echo when the sonic pulse toches the ground.
This device is very useful if you are boating in muddy water, where you can’t see the depth with your eyes or in rivers and shallow waters. You can prevent the hull damage if you have one of these on your boat. There are a variety of devices available out there and pick a good one based on your needs.
8. Torchlight
Torchlight is essential if you are boating at night. With the help of this, you can signal others for help. If you are in an emergency, you can use a torchlight to indicate that you are there for help. So, buy a light which has bright light.
9. GPS
With all the devices I mentioned above, many of them have a built-in GPS on it(VHF radio, Chartplotter). So, I guess you don’t need to buy an extra device that is dedicated to GPS. If you don’t have all those devices, then buy one GPS.
10. Lights during the night
First, let us find, why do we need to use lights while boating at night.
Lights play a crucial role while you are sailing at night. This will indicate other boaters that you are there. There are different kinds of lights you should use while boating at night. Each pattern has a meaning to it.
Generally, there are three types of lights (or light positions) for a boat. Everyone should follow them who’s boat size is less than 39 feet in length. To communicate with other boaters in the sea(or whatever place you are driving the boat).
It varies for bigger boats or ships. There will be so many lights for big boats, but the navigation rules are the same for all sizes of the boats.
- Red and Green light near the bow
- white light on the mast or the top of the boat
- Stern light on the back of the boat
Check my article on Safety gear for boating at night: A complete guide (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In this article, I mentioned everything you need to have on your boat if you are boating at night.
Bottom line
All the electronic safety devices mentioned above are sufficient for many people. Even if you have a big boat, you can use these electronic devices. Without them, you can’t boat peacefully in the water.
A VHF radio, EPIRB, and Chartplotter is a must for every boat. At least by having them, you can be safe in the water. And there should be one alternative power source for all these electronic devices.
If you are in the middle of the sea and your electronic device charge is finished, then you can’t do anything. So, try to carry a solar charger with you on the boat. If you already using them in the boat, then it is good.
Check my article on Communication devices for a boat: All you need (don’t worry, it will open in new tab).