Safety equipment is essential for boating. You should keep all the safety equipment in the boat. There are so many types of safety equipment required for a boat. You don’t need to carry all it depends on where you will go for boating.
- Life jacket for each person
- life ring for each person
- Throwable flotation devices
- Whistle or horns
- VHF radio
- EPIRB
- Flares
- Lights
- Ladder
- Chartplotter
- Automatic identification system
- Satellite phone or messenger
- GPS
- Thermal imaging camera(for boating at night)
- Torchlight
- Binoculars
- Bucket
- Paddles or oars
- Documentation
- Anchor ropes
- Depth finder
- First aid kit(don’t forget to check the expiry date)
- Fire extinguisher
- Tool kit
- Extra gas
- Knife
- Bilge pump
- Anchor
- Duct tape
- Maps
- Safety label
These are the things you need, and some of them are not needed in closed waters. Like, if you go for boating in the seas or oceans, then you might need almost everything I mentioned above (except one or two). At the bottom of the post, I mentioned the equipment based on the types of waters.
In the below table, I listed all the safety equipment for a boat based on the needs.
| Equipment | Needs | Quantity |
| Life jacket | Must for a boat | for each person |
| Life ring | Must for a boat | for each person |
| Throwable flotation devices | Must for a boat | it depends(but, nice to have for each person) |
| Whistles or horns | Must for a boat | 1+ |
| Ladder | Nice to have a rope ladder (if you don’t have any) | 1 |
| VHF radio | Optional, nice to have (no need license in the USA) | 1 (boat under 65 feet (optional)) |
| EPIRB | Optional (you can use if you are boating in seas or oceans) (no need license) | 1 |
| Chartplotter | Optional (you can use if you are boating in seas or oceans) | 1 |
| Automatic Identification System(AIS) | Optional (you can use if you are boating in seas or oceans) | 1 |
| Satellite phone or messenger | Optional (you can use if you are boating in seas or oceans) | 1 |
| GPS | Yes | 1 |
| Thermal imaging camera | for boating at night | 1 |
| Torchlight | Nice to have | 1+ |
| Binoculars | Nice to have | 1 |
| Flares | Must for every boat under 16 feet | 4+ |
| Bucket | Nice to have | 1 |
| Paddles or Oras | Nice to have if you have a small dinghy | 1 set |
| Documentation | Must for a boat | All documents |
| Anchor ropes | Must for a boat | it depends |
| Lights at night | Must for a boat | it depends (2 at the bow 1 mast light 1 stern light) |
| Depth finder | Nice to have | 1 |
| First aid kit | Must for a boat | it depends(1+) |
| Tool kit | Nice to have | 1 |
| Fire extinguisher | Must for a boat | boat under 26 feet (type B1) boat b/w 26-40 feet (two B1 or one B2) boat b/w 40-65 feet (three B1 or two B2) |
| Extra gas | Nice to have | it depends |
| Knife | Nice to have | it depends(1+) |
| Bilge pump | Nice to have | 1 |
| Duct tape | Nice to have | 1 |
| Anchor | Must for a boat | it depends(1+) |
| Maps | Nice to have | it depends |
1. Life jacket
A life jacket is essential for every boater, and each person in the boat needs to have one life jacket. The operator (the person who is operating the boat) must wear a life jacket while he is operating the boat. Kids must always wear a life jacket if the boat is moving in the water.
While buying a life jacket make sure it has a small whistle on it. If anyone falls overboard, and no one knows that someone has fallen overboard, then you can use the whistle to signal others. So, they will come to know your exact location quickly. Nowadays some of them are having a small light on it as well, which is helpful while boating at night.
Try to teach everyone how to wear a life jacket in the water. Suppose, if someone falls in the water and he is not wearing a life jacket, then it will be helpful. You can just pass the life jacket and he will wear it in the water, and then you can pull him by throwing a rope or going near him on the boat.
2. Life ring
A life ring is essential, and you need to have it on your boat. If someone falls overboard, then you can throw the life ring near him, so that he will catch that and you can pull the rope tied to a life ring. You can stay afloat in the water with the help of the life ring.
A life ring is useful if you are thinking to swim in the water with kids.
3. Throwable flotation devices
A life ring also comes under flotation devices only. Type 4 life jacket comes under a throwable flotation device. The basic purpose of this is to help the people who fell overboard.
If a person falls overboard, then through this device near them in the water, so that they will float in the water with the help of this. Tie a rope to the flotation device so you can pull them in the water.
4. Whistle or horns
A whistle or horn is a sound signaling device with the help of this you can signal other boaters if you are in an emergency. You can use all these sound signaling devices if there is anyone near you. Otherwise, there is no use of them.
Horns are much more efficient than whistles. A horn signal travels more distance than a whistle. Remember, you can use them if there is anyone near you.
5. VHF radio
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 it 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.
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 activated or not. What DSC does is it allows coast guards to use your radio transmission and find your exact location very quickly.
VHF radio is useful if you are boating in the seas or oceans. There you won’t get cellphone signals properly. If you are boating in lakes or ponds, then you might not need a VHF radio.
In the USA any person can legally purchase a Marine VHF radio and use it to communicate without requiring any special license as long as they abide by certain rules.
Check my article on Consider these things while buying a VHF radio (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In that article, I mentioned everything you need to consider while buying a VHF radio (for both handheld and fixed mount VHF radios).
6. EPIRB
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon is essential for a boat because whenever you are in an emergency, you can use this device to send an 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 quickly.
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 (Search And Rescue) 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.
EPIRB is useful if you are boating in the seas or oceans. There you won’t get cellphone signals properly. If you are boating in lakes or ponds, then you might not need an EPIRB at all.
7. Flares
Flares are visual signaling devices with the help of these you can signal other boaters if you are in an emergency. If you are using a small boat (under 16 feet), then you need to have them on your boat. The orange smoke comes out of the flares signals other boats that someone is in danger.
Some of them require a flare gun to launch and some are by hand. Generally, these flares will last for around 3 years. So, it is good to have them on your boat.
8. Lights
Lights play a crucial role if you are boating or 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 website on Safety gear for boating at night: A complete guide (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In this article, I mentioned about night navigational rules and necessary gear for boating at night.
9. Ladder
A ladder is essential for a boat. If you have a fixed ladder to the boat, then it is fine. If you don’t have a ladder, then buy a rope ladder and keep it inside the boat.
- A rope ladder is very useful. If you are using a boat, then you should have one. Just tie one rope ladder at any side of the boat without leaving the other end in the water.
- Just keep the rope ladder on any side of the boat without leaving the other end in the water. If you fell in the water, it should be in a reachable distance to your hand. In a way that you can pull it out from the boat, and you can climb.
- By tying a rope ladder to your boat, you can easily climb the boat within a minute. While buying a rope ladder, go for a bit long rope, just in case if a tall person falls into water, it will easy for them to climb.
Check my article on Getting back on a boat: after falling out (don’t worry, it will open in new tab).
10. Chartplotter
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.
Chartplotter is useful if you are boating in the seas or oceans. There you won’t get cellphone signals properly. If you are boating in lakes or ponds, then you might not need a Chartplotter at all.
11. Automatic identification system
AIS is another essential device needed for boating in seas or oceans.
By installing 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 too.
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 other boat location, both the boats need to have this device on their boat. But, in reality, many boats will have this. So, don’t worry about that much.
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.
AIS is useful if you are boating in the seas or oceans. There you won’t get cellphone signals properly. If you are boating in lakes or ponds, then you might not need an AIS at all.
12. Satellite phone or messenger
First, we will see about satellite messenger and then satellite phone.
Satellite phone or messenger is very useful if you are boating in the seas or oceans. In the sea, you won’t get a proper signal so you can use them. If you are in an emergency, then you can send the messages to the coast guards or your family members or friends with the help of 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 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.
Satellite phone or messenger is useful if you are boating in the seas or oceans. There you won’t get cellphone signals properly. If you are boating in lakes or ponds, then you might not need a Satellite phone or messenger at all.
Check my article on Communication devices for a boat: All you need (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In that article, I mentioned all the communications devices you need for a boat, in detail.
13. GPS
With all the devices I mentioned above, many of them have a built-in GPS on it (VHF radio, Chartplotter, EPIRB, Satellite phone). So, I guess you don’t need to buy an extra device that is dedicated to GPS if you already have one of them. If you don’t have those devices, then buy one.
14. Thermal imaging camera
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, you can see what is there in front of your boat if there is no light (at night). 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.
A thermal imaging camera makes video or images 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 you.
15. Torchlight
Torchlight is essential for a boat 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, keep one torchlight (bright torchlight) in your boat.
16. Binoculars
Binoculars are optional for a boat. But, it is good to have binoculars in the boat. During an emergency, you can use them to see the people far away from you, and you can signal them.
If you are in the middle of the sea or lake and your boat is not working, then you need to signal others with flares. If you have binoculars, then you can see whether anyone is near you or not, then only you will use the flares.
If you don’t have binoculars, then randomly you will use the flares (in different time intervals) because you can’t see whether anyone is near you or not. Then you might waste the flares unnecessarily. So, if you have binoculars in the boat, it will be helpful.
17. Bucket
A small bucket is very helpful for a boat. Suppose, if water gets into the boat, then you need to clean it up. Tie a rope to it, if the water is inside a bilge and you can’t go inside it, then you can use the rope. If you have a bilge pump you might not need it, but keep a small bucket in the boat.
18. Paddles or oars
Paddles or oars are essential for small boats because, if you run out of gas or engine is not working, then you can use them. But if you are using a big boat, then it’s not the choice. If you have a small boat, then you can try paddling the boat.
19. Documentation
Documentation is essential for a boat. Keep all the documents of the boat in a waterproof container or somewhere away from the water in the boat. Whenever coast guards ask them you need to show them otherwise, you need to pay the fine.
20. Anchor ropes
Anchor ropes are a must for a boat. Having extra rope in the boat is very helpful. If someone falls overboard, then you can through the rope near them and you can save them. Like that there are so many benefits with the rope, you can use them to tie many things in the boat (for a life ring or a flotation device or something in the boat).
Check my article on Choosing ropes and chains for anchoring a boat (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In that article, I mentioned all the things you need to check while buying a rope for your anchor.
21. Depth finder
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 or at night, where you can’t see the depth with your eyes. 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.
A depth finder is essential if you boating at night or in a fog because you can’t see what is there in front of you during the night with naked eyes. Nowadays, with the help of a fish finder, we can find the depth.
22. First aid kit
First aid kit is essential for a boat. You might encounter so many dangers in the boat (while fishing or while using a tool kit or if you fell in the boat). It is recommended to have a first aid kit in your boat regardless of the size and usage. While using it, don’t forget to check the expiry date.
23. Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is useful in a boat. So make sure that you mount your fire extinguisher in a location that is easy to reach in the event of an emergency. Ideally, it should be within arm’s reach of you and your passengers.
Now, let’s quickly review the types of fire extinguishers you need on your boat based on the boat size.
- If your boat is less than 26 feet, you need one B1 fire extinguisher onboard.
- If your boat is between 26 and 40 feet, you need either two B1 or a single B2 fire extinguisher.
- And finally, if your boat is between 40 and 65 feet, you need either three B1 extinguishers or two B2 extinguishers.
24. Tool kit
Regardless of the size of the boat, it is good to have a small tool kit in the boat. You don’t know what will happen in the boat, you need to be prepared for everything. Suppose you are in the middle of the trip and the motor fails if it is a small work, you can fix it immediately. You can fix small repairs on your own.
25. Extra gas
Always check the gas and then start your ride. It is good to know the gas consumption of your boat, so you can tell how many km left in the boat. To avoid all those problems better take extra gas with you on the boat. If you are taking extra has with you, then keep it safe in a proper place in the boat.
26. Knife
Keep a small knife in the tool kit or carry it with you on the boat. You can use the knife to cut the ropes for knots or while making a thimble. There are many advantages of having a small knife in the boat.
27. Bilge pump
A bilge pump is a pump that is used to pump all the water from the boat. Having this on the boat will always save a lot of time. Ensure whether your bilge pump is working properly or not, because they often fail. The boat can sink in the water if the bilge pump is not working properly. So, before starting the trip, just check whether the bilge pump is working or not.
28. Anchor
An anchor is essential for a boat without this, you can’t stay at one place in the water. So, make sure that you are carrying anchor in the boat. Also, check my article on Choosing a perfect anchor for your boat (don’t worry, it will open in a new tab). In that article, I mentioned all the anchor types based on the bottom types.
29. Duct tape
Duct tape is nice to have on your boat. Duct tape is a durable tape with a sturdy backing that resists water. It’s the go-to repair tool for millions of people. Any time you need a flexible, sturdy, and sticky tape, just reach for a roll of duct tape! It can fix everything from leaks to water pipes.
30. Maps
In the worst-case scenario, the map will be very helpful. If the power is not working in the boat, then you need to make the move by looking at the map. So, make sure that before starting the trip, you keep the exact map where you are going.
31. Safety label
This is not equipment. It is like a small sticker given by the coast guards. They will give this sticker if you have all the safety equipment in the boat.
Key takeaways
If you are boating in seas or oceans and moves far away from the seashore, then you might need all these things listed below.
- Life jacket for each person
- life ring for each person
- Flotation devices
- Whistle or horns
- VHF radio, EPIRB
- Satellite phone or messenger is optional(but nice to have as a backup)
- Chartplotter is like GPS for a boat(for navigating)
- Automatic identification system(AIS)
- GPS optional(all the above devices have it already)
- Thermal imaging camera(if you are boating at night)
- Torchlight
- Flares
- Binoculars
- Bucket
- Ladder
- Paddles or oars
- Documentation
- Anchor ropes
- Lights
- Depth finder
- First aid kit (don’t forget to check the expiry date)
- Fire extinguisher
- Tool kit
- Extra gas(nice to have)
- Knife
- Duct tape
- Bilge pump
- Anchor
- Maps (optional)
For moving far away from the seashore, those things are sufficient. If you are thinking to stay in the boat at night, then you might need to know the night navigational rules.
If you boating in closed waters (lakes or ponds) then you might need these things listed below.
- Life jacket for each person
- life ring for each person
- Flotation devices
- Whistle or horns
- VHF radio optional(nice to have a small radio)
- Torchlight
- Binoculars
- Flares
- Bucket
- Ladder
- Paddles or oars
- Documentation
- Anchor ropes
- Depth finder (nice to have)
- First aid kit(don’t forget to check the expiry date)
- Fire extinguisher
- Tool kit
- Extra gas(nice to have)
- Knife
- Duct tape
- Bilge pump
- Anchor
For boating in closed waters, those things are sufficient. Mostly, you don’t need a VHF radio in closed waters. If you are boating in a big lake, then you might need it.