The U.S. Coast Guard has prepared a list with the necessary safety equipment for boating, which they’ve determined to be the minimum standards for operating equipment and equipment as required by federal laws.

This is the minimum federal USCG required list . However, some states might have added other safety equipment or items, so make sure to check your states marine laws and regulations.

Life jackets as well as personal floatation devices The USCG requires one type I, II, III, or V, life jacket or life vest for each person aboard. If the vessel is more than 16 feet in length, a throwing floatation device that can be thrown – Type IV – like a ring is also required. Life jackets should be easily accessible and in good working order and appropriate for the person they are intended for. Each state has its specific rules for children’s life jackets.

By the new USCG rules, every boat that is considered large has to have extra boat storage for equipment.

  • Fire Extinguishers -For boats that are less than 26 feet, you must have at least one B-1 type Coast Guard-approved hand portable fire extinguisher. It is, in fact, the minimum. Boats 26 to 40 feet either two B-1 types or one type B-2 USCG-approved extinguishers will be required.
  • Boats between 40 and 65 feet long should contain three B-1 extinguishers. the B-1 type and the USCG-approved extinguisher for fire. And boats over 65 feet require between one and eight (depending on the size of the vessel) B-2 along with a fixed system within the machinery space.
  • Of course, you may choose to use a fixed system for any size boat, and the requirements for handheld extinguishers for boating safety would be less.

Bells and Whistles

All boats smaller than 40 feetneeds an efficient device for producing sound including a horn or whistle. Boats that are larger than 40 feet are required to carry a bell and whistle. The bell’s mouth must be at a minimum of 7.87 inches in size and the whistle must be able to be heard over a distance of at least half a nautical mile.

Visual Distress Signals

While on Coastal Waters, the Great Lakes as well as anyU.S.-ownedd boat thatise located on high seas, when less than 16 feet in length must be equipped with approved night signals. The larger boats must have three night and day signals aboard.

Ventilation

Boats built before 1980, should have at minimum two ventilation ducts which are capable ventilating all closed areas that contains a gasoline engine or tank, with the exception of those with tanks permanently installed, which are vented outside the boat and do not contain unprotected electrical equipment. Engine compartments containing the gasoline engine and its cranking motor must include exhaust blowers powered by electricity that can be controlled from your instrument panel.

Boats built after 1980 are required to include at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and adequately ventilating vents of each closed engine and fuel tank compartment using gasoline as fuel or any other fuel having a flashpoint of ° or less.

A backfire Flame Arrestor Not necessary for outboard motors. All others are required to use one approved device on every carburetor on all gas engines.

  • First aid kit
  • VHF radio
  • Extra fuel & water
  • Tool kit
  • Sun protection
  • A bucket that can be used as bailer
  • Paddles or oars

An Anchor that has enough chain, based on the area you’re sailing in usually 5x depth