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You are here: Marine Safety > Recreational Boating > Boating know how > Before you go out > Minimum Safety Equipment

Minimum Safety Equipment

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The tables below show the minimum safety equipment that must be carried on board your vessel. This equipment is for your own safety and that of others on the water, and they are minimum requirements. There are other things every sensible boat operator will also want to have aboard to enhance safety, confidence and enjoyment. Although not compulsory under the regulations, they are easily acquired and at a reasonable cost. For example, a first-aid kit, drinking water and a basic tool-kit.

All safety equipment required to be carried on board must be:
  • placed or located in a conspicuous and readily accessible position at all times
  • kept in good order at all times
  • maintained or serviced in a way that ensures they are able to be operated at all times
  • serviced on or before the date specified by the manufacturer for that item of equipment
  • in the case of fire extinguishers, be maintained in accordance with the relevant standard for fire protection equipment.
Minimum safety equipment requirements for mechanically powered vessels

Powerboat


Personal Watercraft

Coastal offshore (>2nm from coast)

Coastal inshore (<2nm from coast)

Enclosed
(Bays and estuaries)

Inland
(Rivers, lakes and dams)

Coastal offshore (>2nm from coast)

Coastal inshore (<2nm from coast)

Enclosed
(Bays and estuaries)

Inland
(Rivers, lakes and dams)


Personal Flotation Device

PFD (per person on board/towed)

Type 1


Type 1


Type 1


Type 1, 2 or 3


Type 1, 2 or 3


Type 1, 2 or 3


Type 1, 2 or 3


Type 1, 2 or 3


Fire Extinguisher

Approved fire extinguisher (where any fuel is carried. Refer to relevant table to determine number and capacity required)



a




a



a



a


Waterproof Buoyant Torch

Waterproof buoyant torch

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Anchor and Chain


Anchor and chain or line or both


1

1

1

Bailer


Bailer (if no electric on manual bilge pumping system)


1

1

1

1

Bucket with lanyard


Bucket with lanyard (can also double as a bailer)


1

1

1

1

Electric or manual bilge pumping system


Electric or manual bilge pumping system
(if vessel has covered bilge or closed underfloor compartments)


1

1

1

1

Pair of oars with rowlocks


Pair of oars with rowlocks or pair of paddles
(if vessel is up to and including 4.8m)


1

1

1

1

Hand held orange smoke signals


Hand held orange smoke signals


2

2

2

Hand held red distress flares


Hand held red distress flares


2

2

2

Lifebuoy


Lifebuoy (if vessel is more than 8 m but less than 12 m in length)


1

1

1

1

Lifebuoy


Lifebuoy (if vessel is more than 12 m in length)


2

2

2

2

Dinghy or liferaft


One dinghy or liferaft (if vessel is more than 12 m in length)


1

1

Compass


Compass


1

Marine Radio


Marine Radio


1

Red star parachute distress rocket


Red star parachute distress rocket


1

Approved EPIRB


Approved EPIRB


1

1

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Minimum safety equipment requirements for sail powered vessels

 Off-the-beach sailing yacht

> Yacht

Coastal offshore (>2nm from coast)

Coastal inshore (<2nm from coast)

Enclosed
(Bays and estuaries)

Inland
(Rivers, lakes and dams)

Coastal offshore (>2nm from coast)

Coastal inshore (<2nm from coast)

Enclosed
(Bays and estuaries)

Inland
(Rivers, lakes and dams)


Personal Flotation Device


PFD (per person on board/towed)


Type 1


Type 1 or 2


Type 1 or 2


Type 1 or 2


Type 1


Type 1


Type 1 or 2

Type 1 or 2

Fire Extinguisher


Approved fire extinguisher (where any fuel is carried. Refer to relevant table to determine number and capacity required)


a

a

a

a

Waterproof Buoyant Torch


Waterproof buoyant torch


1

1

1

1

Anchor and Chain


Anchor and chain or line or both


1

1

1

Bailer


Bailer (if no electric on manual bilge pumping system)


1*

1*

1*

1*

1

1

1

1

Bucket with lanyard


Bucket with lanyard (can also double as a bailer)


1

1

1

1

Electric or manual bilge pumping system


Electric or manual bilge pumping system
(if vessel has covered bilge or closed underfloor compartments)


1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Pair of oars with rowlocks


Spare oar with rowlock or spare paddle


Hand held orange smoke signals


Hand held orange smoke signals


2

2

2

2

Hand held red distress flares


Hand held red distress flares


2

2

2

2

Lifebuoy


Lifebuoy (if vessel is more than 8 m but less than 12 m in length)


1

1

1

1

Lifebuoy


Lifebuoy (if vessel is more than 12 m in length)


2

2

2

2

Dinghy or liferaft


One dinghy or liferaft (if vessel is more than 12 m in length)


1

1

Compass


Compass


1

1

Marine Radio


Marine Radio


1

1

Red star parachute distress rocket


Red star parachute distress rocket


1

1

Approved EPIRB


Approved EPIRB


1

1

* If vessel is not self draining without intervention from the crew
Minimum safety equipment requirements for human powered vessels

Kayak, canoe, raft and rowing boat

Coastal offshore (>2nm from coast)

Coastal inshore (<2nm from coast)

Enclosed
(Bays and estuaries)

Inland
(Rivers, lakes and dams)


Personal Flotation Device


PFD (per person on board/towed)


Type 1, 2 or 3

Type 1, 2 or 3

Type 1, 2 or 3

Type 1, 2 or 3

Fire Extinguisher


Approved fire extinguisher (where any fuel is carried. Refer to relevant table to determine number and capacity required)


Waterproof Buoyant Torch


Waterproof buoyant torch


1

Anchor and Chain


Anchor and chain or line or both


Bailer


Bailer (if no electric on manual bilge pumping system)


1

1

1

1

Bucket with lanyard


Bucket with lanyard (can also double as a bailer)


Electric or manual bilge pumping system


Electric or manual bilge pumping system
(if vessel has covered bilge or closed underfloor compartments)


1

1

1

1

Pair of oars with rowlocks


Spare oar with rowlock or spare paddle


1

Hand held orange smoke signals


Hand held orange smoke signals


2

Hand held red distress flares


Hand held red distress flares


2

Lifebuoy


Lifebuoy (if vessel is more than 8 m but less than 12 m in length)


Lifebuoy


Lifebuoy (if vessel is more than 12 m in length)


Dinghy or liferaft


One dinghy or liferaft (if vessel is more than 12 m in length)


Compass


Compass


1

Marine Radio


Marine Radio


Red star parachute distress rocket


Red star parachute distress rocket


Approved EPIRB


Approved EPIRB


1



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