| Knowing where to keep your safety equipment | | | | going stale. |
| on board your boat is a vital skill. In an emergency | | | | 5) Fire Extinguisher - Fire extinguishers should be |
| situation you will most likely have little or no time | | | | kept on deck away from the engines. If a fire |
| to search for the equipment that you need. Below | | | | breaks out near the engine (where most fires |
| is a list of essential safety equipment that every | | | | start) you will not be able to reach the |
| boat owner should have and information on | | | | extinguisher if placed right next to the motor. |
| where to store it in your boat. | | | | Keep the extinguisher in a secure housing that |
| 1) Lifejackets - Life jackets should always be | | | | allows it to be readily accessible. Keep an eye on |
| stored in a dry location where they are readily | | | | the pressure gauge of the extinguisher and |
| accessible. If the situation arises where you will | | | | replace as necessary. If you have a galley you |
| need to put a lifejacket on, you will rarely have | | | | should also keep a fire extinguisher in here as |
| the time to look for it if it is stowed in a | | | | open flames on boats are a main cause of fires. |
| cupboard, the cabin or below deck. Try to keep | | | | 6) Anchor - Although not a standard safety item, |
| the lifejackets within arms reach of the deck. | | | | an anchor is ideal in an emergency situation and |
| Remember to always have at least one lifejacket | | | | every boat no matter what size should have one. |
| per person on board and to make sure they are | | | | At the first sign of a problem you should drop |
| the correct sizes (an adults lifejacket is no use on | | | | anchor and assess your options. An anchor will |
| a child and vice versa). | | | | prevent you from drifting further out to sea in an |
| 2) Flares - It is important to have flares that are | | | | emergency or prevent you from drifting closer |
| suitable for the water you will be boating in. If you | | | | into a reef. Anchors should be kept in an anchor |
| go offshore you should have offshore flares on | | | | well with lots of rope attached and kept in good |
| board. Flares should be kept in a waterproof and | | | | condition. Make sure you have the correct anchor |
| floating container on the deck. A side rail is a | | | | for the areas you will be boating in. |
| perfect location for flares as if the boat capsizes | | | | 7) Radio - The radio on board should be kept dry |
| there is a chance they will float to the surface. | | | | and checked every time before going out on the |
| Replace flares every two years or so (follow the | | | | water. Make sure you know how to use the radio |
| use by dates). It is a good idea to keep the older | | | | and make sure to understand when it is right to |
| flares still on board as spares (perhaps keep them | | | | use the radio. |
| in a different location so if you cannot get to the | | | | 8) Mobile phone - Although not a standard safety |
| new flares you can still reach the older one's). | | | | item it is great to have on board. At the first sign |
| 3) EPIRB - The correct location to store EPIRB's | | | | of struggle it is good to call and let someone |
| is next to the controls where the captain | | | | know. Leave it somewhere waterproof and out |
| navigates the boat from. In an emergency the | | | | of direct sunlight. |
| EPIRB needs to be activated and this is the most | | | | Safety on board is important and knowing where |
| accessible location to reach it. | | | | to store safety equipment is equally important. |
| 4) Water - Always keep water on board. Place it | | | | You should also ensure that all on board know |
| in plastic containers and keep it half full (so in a | | | | how and when to use the safety equipment. It is |
| capsize they will be able to float to the surface). | | | | illegal to use certain safety equipment (such as |
| Once again this water should be stored in side rails | | | | EPIRB) if the lives and safety of those on board |
| or somewhere on deck. Also keep extra water in | | | | is not threatened. So be sure to explain to your |
| the cabin or somewhere safe. Be sure to replace | | | | passengers when it is acceptable and how to use |
| this water every couple of months to prevent it | | | | certain safety equipment. |