Safety Equipment
Lifejackets
Approved lifejackets, must be carried on board every vessel unless exempt. Lifejackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on any vessel and must be in a good condition and accessible. Penalties will be imposed on the owners and masters of vessels found not carrying them or occupants not wearing them as required. Lifejackets are compulsory to wear when crossing coastal bars. It is strongly recommended that lifejackets are worn at times of heightened risk. It is also recommended that each child aged 12 or under, elderly persons or people with medical conditions wear a lifejacket at all times when in open areas of a vessel where it is possible to fall directly overboard (eg: foredeck and cockpit). There are three types of lifejackets approved for recreational boating:
• A type 1 jacket:
This type offers protection from drowning by maintaining a person in a safe floating position in the water, with buoyancy behind the head. They are compulsory for all people on board vessels in the open sea. (However PWC riders may use a type 2).
There are two types of type 1 – those with fixed buoyancy and those which are inflatable, water or manually activated. An approved type 1 must have an Australian Standards AS 1512 mark. In remote inland waters where search and rescue times may be longer or when water conditions can turn rough it is recommended that a type 1 lifejacket be worn.
• Type 2 or 3 jackets:
These types are also known as buoyancy vests and are suitable for aquatic sports where boating activities are usually observable by others and rescue times are likely to be short. They are not designed to maintain a person in a safe floating position.
Type 3s are NOT recommended for general boating use because the variety of colours that may be used for these jackets may make them less visible in search and rescue operations. An approved type 2 is marked with Australian Standard AS 1499 while a type 3 is marked as AS 2260.
Click here for the safety awareness message on lifejackets.
Other Essential Equipment
Anchors
Choose the right size and type of anchor for your vessel and the nature of the sea bed. For example, an anchor designed for rocky bottoms will not hold on sand or mud. Always anchor by the bow not the stern, and never anchor in a channel or where submarine cables are signposted.
Bilge Pump
The bilge pump should be protected by a strainer to prevent choking of the pump suction.
Bucket
Depending on the size of the vessel, at least one solidly constructed metal or plastic bucket with 2m rope attached must be carried.
As a safety item it is useful for both bailing water out and fighting fires. The bucket can be used as a sea anchor.
Compass and Chart
Any boat operating offshore is required to have a marine compass. Even if your boat is fitted with satellite navigation equipment, a compass will indicate the course back to shore if rain, fog or sea haze obliterates the land from view.
An appropriate chart or map that identifies prominent shore marks and offshore reefs and shoals is also required on all vessels offshore. Charts and maps help to determine your position, which can be of particular importance in an emergency.
EPIRB
An EPIRB or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon is a simple and effective alerting and locating device that is complusory for all vessels 8m or more in length operating more than 2 nautical miles from the shore. However, it is recommended that all vessels venturing offshore carry an EPIRB.
Once activated, an EPIRB transmits a distress signal for at least 48 hours that can detected by satellites and overflying aircraft. EPIRB alerts detected off NSW are passed to RCC Australia who then coordinates a search. A distress beacon’s location can generally be calculated by the satellite system to within a range of 5 kilometres for a 406 MHz and 20 kilometres for a 121.5 MHz beacon.
The EPIRB should be accessible but stowed to avoid inadvertent activation. Do not stow it in the bottom of a locker.
Note: The 121.5 MHz signal will not be received after February 2009 and will be replaced by 406 MHz beacons.
Flares
Flares signal that you are in trouble and provide an exact location for searching aircraft or vessels. Only ignite them when rescuers are in view and can spot your flare.
A minimum of two red hand flares (for night or day use) and two orange smoke flares (for day use) are required to be carried on all vessels operating offshore. It is also recommended that vessels operating offshore or in remote areas carry parachute flares.
You should be able to locate and ignite the correct flare in total darkness.
Most flares have a use-by date of three years and they should be replaced before the expiry date. If your old flares appear to be in good condition keep them onboard as a backup. Once they start to look damaged, enquire with the manufacturer about the best means of disposal. Don’t put them in the garbage or take them to the tip.
Note: It is an offence to fire flares except in an emergency.
Fresh Drinking Water
Two litres of fresh drinking water per person must be carried on all vessels operating offshore.
Lifeboat or Liferaft
An inflatable or rigid lifeboat or liferaft is a safety device for larger vessels proceeding to sea and is mandatory for vessels of 12 metres and over, but is recommended for any vessel making coastal voyages.
Lifebuoy
A lifebuoy or rescue quoit is mandatory for all vessels 8 metres or over on enclosed or open waters.
Marine Radios
Marine radios are compulsory for all vessels operating more than 2 nautical miles out to sea, and are recommended for anyone proceeding offshore. They provide a means of advising shore stations of your itinerary, checking boating weather and navigational warnings and making distress calls.
Marine radios using 27 MHz are relatively cheap and available for general use.
A mobile phone does not replace the requirement to carry a marine radio.
Oars and/or Paddle
Oars and/or paddle must be carried on most vessels under 8 metres in length unless a second means of propulsion is fitted. Owners of larger vessels should consider some means of auxiliary power as an effective safety device.
“V” Sheet
The V sheet is a fluorescent orange-red coloured sheet (1.8 x 1.2 metres) with a large black V printed in the middle. V sheets are required to be carried by all vessels operating offshore. They can be spread over the deck of a boat to indicate that you are in trouble or flown as a flag.
Waterproof Torch
A torch is a valuable safety device for signalling and when working on the engine. Spare bulbs and batteries should be carried.
Other Recommended Safety Equipment
First Aid Kit
It makes good sense to carry a complete first aid kit aboard appropriate to the size of the boat.
Tool Kit
Although not part of the safety equipment requirements, every vessel should have a tool kit.
The basic items in a tool kit include a spark plug spanner and spark plugs (for petrol engines), small spanner, pliers, philips head and standard screwdrivers, spare fuel line, electrical wiring, insulation tape and a can of water repellent.
Care of Equipment
Safety equipment is generally durable and long lasting. Keep small storable items like flares, “V” sheet, epirb, torch and other bits and pieces in a sealed waterproof container.
Make sure items like the radio and fire extinguisher are protected from saltwater.
You must look after your lifejackets – don’t use them as cushions or fenders and keep them away from oil and fuel.
Ensure these jackets are accessible in a dry, well ventilated area and let everyone on board know where they are.