Stay safe on the water: Must-have boating safety gear

Here are some suggestions for safety gear to ensure everything is in place for a safe trip.

With approximately 20 per cent of Australia’s population going boating each year, staying safe on the water is of utmost importance. To ensure everyone stays safe on the water, you are required by law to carry certain safety equipment on your boat and these requirements vary from state to state. The exact nature of what you’re legally required to take also depends on the size and type of your vessel and the kind of waters you’re in.

Due to maritime safety regulations and best practices being incredibly detailed, it’s impossible for us to cover them all in this article. The best way to get a comprehensive understanding of the regulations and rules for your purposes in your area is to get a copy of the most recent ‘Boating Handbook’ from your state’s maritime authority.

• Victoria — transportsafety.vic.gov.au
• New South Wales — rms.nsw.gov.au
• Queensland — publications.qld.gov.au
• Northern Territory — nt.gov.au
• Western Australia — transport.wa.gov.au/boatingguides
• South Australia — sa.gov.au        
• Tasmania — mast.tas.gov.au

Personal floatation devices

Personal Floatation Devices, otherwise known as PFDs or life jackets, need to be worn in open areas of all trailerable boats and personal watercraft when underway. There are three categories of PFDs, which depend on buoyancy and features, and there are also child and infant versions:

Type 1 (Level 100 and above) High Buoyancy — these life jackets are designed to keep the wearer afloat with their head above the water.

Type 2 (Level 50) Less Buoyant — these are considered buoyancy vests, not life jackets, which are sufficient to keep you afloat but do not have the head support.

Type 3 (Level 50 or less) — these are special-use vests for sports such as waterskiing. They have the same buoyancy as Type 2 but are shaped differently and most likely don’t meet the Australian Standard Association colour specifications.

Fire safety

Fires might not seem like a big problem on the water, but they can be just as dangerous as one on land. To help prevent fires, make sure all fuel lines and electrical systems are well maintained, bilges are regularly checked and battery compartments and any other areas that may retain petrol fumes are sufficiently ventilated.

Attracting attention

If you find yourself in a spot of bother and need help out on the water, you’ll need to be able to attract the attention of other vessels. For this you may require flares, an ERIRB, radio, a V-Sheet, smoke signals or rockets. Remember to inform the responding vessel of your location, the nature of your emergency and the kind of assistance needed.

Regular maintenance

Like with all machinery, maintenance is an essential part of boat ownership. Safety gear is as good as useless if it hasn’t been maintained and cared for. Regular PFD/life jacket maintenance is a must and could end up being the difference between life and death. Inherently buoyant vests should be washed after use and stored in a dark, dry space when not in use. Remember to check for fading, which may indicate weathering and subsequent deterioration, and for any wear and tear. Inflatable PFDs should also be inspected for wear — and remember to regularly check that the CO2 cylinder is full, screwed in properly and is not showing any signs of damage.

Fire extinguishers are another safety device which needs to be serviced at given intervals, while flares, smoke signals and parachutes are marked with expiry dates and should not be used once those dates have passed. EPIRBS will need to be registered and may need their batteries replaced every five or so years (manufacturer dependent).

Lighting

If you’re planning to hit the seas (or other bodies of water) after dark, you’re required to display certain lights on your vessel. These will depend on the size of your vessel, whether it’s power or sail and whether you’re moving or at anchor. Generally, boats underway will need to display a red and green light to indicate port and starboard respectively, as well as a white masthead and/or stern light. Dredges and fishing boats have various arrangements to indicate their activities and it’s best to steer clear of vessels displaying large configurations of lights.

Remember that even a rowboat, dinghy or paddle craft must have some sort of light on display to help prevent collisions. A torch or lantern usually suffices.

Some things you might require

Lastly, here is a modest list of the essential safety items needed when hitting the water (remember to treat this as a list of suggestions rather than a comprehensive guide from a government authority):

• V-Sheet
• Smoke signals or flares
• Radio
• Waterproof buoyant torch
• Fire extinguisher
• Oars
• EPIRB (registered)
• Bilge pump
• Bucket for bailing
• Lifebuoy
• Parachute rockets

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