| In Safety Equipment part 1 we looked at the | | | | waters, rocks and basically staying safe in |
| safety equipment required by Coast Guard and | | | | navigable water. Being able to read a Nautical |
| other Regulatory bodies. In this second part we | | | | Chart is therefore important. There are many |
| are going to look what is not regulated, but which | | | | books on how to read a chart. If your power |
| is equally important. The regulated equipment | | | | goes out your GPS is no good. |
| does not account for many safety items you | | | | Maintenanceo Yearly Mechanical Maintenanceo |
| would need for day to day use. | | | | Toolso Clean Fuelo Battery Chargingo Steering |
| Important Safety Equipment to supplement items | | | | systemso Sails & Rigging |
| in part 1 | | | | The RNLI the British rescue organization has |
| Basic Boat Equipmento Dock lines, Tow lineo | | | | some interesting statistics regarding their rescues. |
| Fenderso Anchors and Rhodeo First aid kito Flash | | | | They track the number of launchings of lifeboats |
| lightso Throwable flotationo If you have a holding | | | | and relate them to the cause of the distress call. |
| tank get an overboard waste placardo Bailing | | | | Number 1 problem boaters have that instigate a |
| device, bilge pump | | | | rescue, is machinery. Engine failure is by far the |
| You may not consider these items safety, but | | | | largest culprit by 3 to 1. Next comes adverse |
| they are. A tow line can be vital if your engine | | | | weather, and then fouled propellers. |
| fails. The same goes for an Anchor and Rhode. A | | | | What we can take from this is you need to |
| recommended anchor Rhode is a stretchy line | | | | maintain your engine, make sure you have clean |
| with short chain 7 times water depth. The Anchor | | | | fuel, don't start the engine with lines in the water, |
| is sized by the boat size and type. Anchoring will | | | | avoid fish traps and Check weather forecasts. It |
| enable you to stop drifting and call for help. If it is | | | | is important to do annual checks for other |
| dark you may need a flashlight to set the anchor. | | | | important equipment like steering gear, charging |
| If you have an injury you can do basic first aid | | | | systems and rigging if you are sailing. |
| with a kit and then be able to transfer to another | | | | Communicationso Weather forecasto VHFo Cell |
| vessel with fenders. Of course in Part 1 we need | | | | Phoneo Satellite phone |
| lifejackets but also look to have a modern | | | | One of the items you will notice that is not on the |
| throwable flotation device in case of a Man | | | | Coast Guard list is Communications. It would be |
| Overboard MOB. If you get a leak its important | | | | wise to have marine communications device. VHF |
| to have some sort of bailing device or bilge pump. | | | | for inshore or SSB or Satellite phone for offshore. |
| Personal Equipmento Water and foodo Personal | | | | Cell phones are also useful. Not only used for |
| gear and Clothingo Singlehanded or ski boat | | | | communications, VHFs are useful for getting |
| consider an Engine kill switcho Personal Locator | | | | weather updates. |
| Beacon or MOB locatoro Shade for hot and sunny | | | | What to do when you get in troubleo Towing |
| dayso Cover for cold and wet windy days | | | | membershipo VHFo Cello Satelliteo Distress |
| Whatever the body of water you are in, be | | | | signals, EPIRB |
| prepared. If you are just going out for the day | | | | When you get in trouble it is either, Emergency or |
| close to shore or if you are crossing a large body | | | | Mechanical issues. If the issue is mechanical you |
| of water taking several days you must take the | | | | can join a local or national towing organization like |
| appropriate gear. Remember it is very easy to | | | | Sea Tow or BoatUS. For an annual fee anytime |
| get stuck out longer than planned. | | | | you get a mechanical problem you can get towed |
| If you are driving a small speedboat and fall | | | | to shore or back to your mooring. |
| overboard an Engine kill switch is needed. A PLB | | | | If it is an Emergency, the most common way a |
| can send a signal to SAR if you fall overboard, | | | | boater can get rescued is to notify the Coast |
| while a MOB locator can be located by the vessel. | | | | Guard via VHF-FM radio or even a cell phone at |
| Navigationo Compasso Charto Binocularso GPS | | | | last resort. It is strongly recommended that all |
| On the water you need be able to navigate your | | | | boaters carry VHF. Learn the proper procedures |
| way safely around the waterways which involves | | | | to operating VHF. They key here is preparation. |
| keeping clear of other vessels and shoal water. | | | | Before you leave have a plan and let someone |
| Get a copy of the Coast Guard rules of road and | | | | know your plan. If you don't come back at the |
| learn rules for approaching vessels, handling your | | | | specified time your friends can contact the coast |
| boat in navigable waters and collision avoidance. | | | | Guard. For extreme conditions a distress signaling |
| has a set of cards that are very useful in | | | | device like an EPIRB or PLB with GPS position |
| navigating, understanding aids to navigation and | | | | would be wise. The can send signals via satellite to |
| rules of the road, how to read day shapes, signal | | | | search and rescue teams with your exact |
| flags chart symbols and much more. | | | | position. |
| Navigating also includes keeping clear of shoal | | | | |