This time of year boating enthusiasts do not get on the water as often as they would like. However, that means it is the perfect time of year to inventory and restock your boating safety supplies! Hopefully you will never need to use them, but accidents happen and we want to be sure you and all of your passengers are safe.
Life Jackets/Buoyancy Device
It is important to have one life jacket per person on the boat. You really never know what my happen and a life jacket is the number one item to save someone’s life on the water. Life jackets come in all shapes and sizes so be sure each individual has the size that is right for them. Boats over 16 ft long should also carry a throwable buoyancy device such as a pontoon, ring float, or throwable pad.
Fire Extinguisher
All boats that have on engine are required to carry a fire extinguisher. The size you need may depend on the size of your boat. If your boat is 26 ft or less you should have a B-I fire extinguisher. Boats 26-40 ft should have 1 B-II or 2 B-I extinguishers. Boats that are 40-65 ft should carry 1 B-II AND 1 B-I or 3 B-I extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers are identified by letters to indicate what type of fame that they will stifle, then followed by a number that shows how much volume the extinguisher holds.
Distress Signals
There may come a time when you do not have cell phone signal and you find yourself stranded in the middle of the water. In this instance sound and visual distress signals are a must and required for all boats. If your boat is less than 40 ft your sound signal should be heard a 1/2 mile away. For boats over 26 ft a plain flag should be visible anything you are on the water.
Types of sound distress signals: whistles, handheld horn, alarm
Types of visual distress signals: parachute flares, handheld flares, drifting smoke signals, marker colors, or elective pain lights
