Essential Safety Equipment Guide for Powered Craft

Important: For pleasure vessels under 13.7m in length, there are surprisingly few legal requirements under UK law beyond SOLAS V regulations. However, carrying proper safety equipment is essential for your safety and that of your crew, regardless of legal minimums.

Vessels over 13.7m have additional mandatory requirements under Class XII vessel regulations – check the RYA and government guidance for specific details.

Life-Saving Appliances

Lifejackets or Buoyancy Aids (Essential)

• One approved device for each person on board
• Recommendation: Automatic inflating lifejackets over manual types. However, manual inflation jackets should be used aboard cabin craft
• Ensure proper fit and regular service according to manufacturer’s instructions
• Consider lifejacket lights for night operations

Kill Cord (Essential for open powerboats/RIBs)

• Must be worn around your leg when at the helm
• Attach spare kill cord to vessel
• Test functionality before every trip
• If your boat doesn’t have one fitted, get one installed immediately
• At least one spare kill cord should be carried aboard

Essential Navigation Kit

Charts and Navigation Tools

• Relevant charts for your operating area
• Hand bearing compass
• Fixed steering compass (lit for night use)
• Drawing instruments (plotter and dividers)
• GPS/Chartplotter (with backup power)

Communication Equipment

• VHF Radio (Highly Recommended) 
  • Essential for safety and communication with other vessels
  • Consider both fixed and handheld units for redundancy
  • DSC capability recommended for emergency alerts
  • Requires VHF radio operator’s licence (SRC)

• Mobile Phone in waterproof case for coastal areas

Emergency Position Indicating Beacons (Strongly Recommended)

• EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) – vessel-mounted 
  • 406 MHz satellite beacon for offshore and coastal use
  • Automatically activates when immersed or manually triggered
  • Transmits for minimum 48 hours with GPS position data
  • Must be registered with maritime authorities

• PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) – individual crew member device 
  • Smaller, personal 406 MHz beacon
  • Ideal for smaller craft or as backup to vessel EPIRB
  • Can be carried by individual crew members
  • Battery life typically 5+ years, replaceable

• Recommendation: All craft venturing beyond immediate coastal waters should carry either an EPIRB or PLB. For offshore passages or single-handed sailing, both are recommended

Visual Distress Signals

• Flares appropriate for your operating area
  • Red handheld flares for close-range emergencies
  • Orange smoke signals for daytime use
  • White handheld flares for collision avoidance

• Check expiry dates regularly (typically 3 years)
• Alternative: Electronic distress beacons (E-flares)

Sound Signals

• Horn or whistle for collision avoidance and signalling
• Powered vessels require ability to make efficient sound signals

Emergency Position Equipment

• Radar Reflector for visibility to other vessels
• Navigation Lights (mandatory for night operations)
• Powerful Torch for collision avoidance and signalling

Fire Extinguisher (Essential)

• Marine-rated extinguisher (typically Type 5A/34B)
• One required if boat has enclosed engine compartment or fuel tank
• Service annually according to manufacturer’s recommendations
• Know how to operate before you need it

Additional Fire Safety

• Bucket with lanyard for firefighting and bailing
• Fire blanket for galley fires (on larger vessels)

Man Overboard Equipment

• Lifebuoy with floating line (minimum 30m)
• Dan Buoy or MOB marker
• Throwing Line for person recovery
• Boat Hook for recovery assistance
• Reboarding Ladder (especially important for high-freeboard vessels)

Water Ingress Management

• Bilge Pump (manual or electric)
• Bailer or bucket with rope
• Wooden Bungs for through-hull fittings
• Soft Bungs for damage control

Ground Tackle

• Anchor appropriate for vessel size and local conditions
• Anchor Cable/Warp – sufficient length for depth and conditions – minimum 50m warp with 4m of chain
• Anchor Windlass Handle (if fitted)

Mooring Equipment

• Mooring Lines – at least two medium-length lines
• Fenders appropriate for vessel size
• Mooring Pins and Mallet for shore moorings

Essential Tools

• Basic Toolkit for engine and equipment maintenance
• Knife (sharp, with sheath)
• Rope Cutter for propeller fouling
• Spare Parts – belts, spark plugs, filters, oils
• Electrical Toolkit – fuses, wire, crimps, multimeter

Fuel and Engine

• Spare Fuel in approved containers
• Fuel Funnel and filters
• Engine Oil and coolant

Medical and Comfort

• First Aid Kit with minimum contents: 
  • 2 large wound dressings
  • 2 medium wound dressings
  • Triangular bandages
  • Basic medications and supplies

• Survival Bag or space blankets

Weather and Environment

• Waterproof Torches with spare batteries
• Binoculars for navigation and collision avoidance
• Sun Protection – hats, sunscreen, sunglasses
• In open boat scenarios – foul weather gear or dry suits with neck and wrist seals. Lightweight bubble visor helmet for offshore adventuring

Backup Systems

• Alternative Propulsion – paddles or backup outboard
• Spare Batteries for electronics
• 12V Power Socket Adapters for device charging
• Emergency – rations and water

Anchor Specifications by Vessel Length

Safety Equipment Check:

• All crew have appropriate lifejackets
• Kill cord attached and tested
• VHF radio operational and tuned to Channel 16
• Navigation lights working (if needed)
• Flares in date and accessible
• Fire extinguisher charged and accessible
• First aid kit complete and accessible
• Anchor and ground tackle ready
• Bilge pump operational

Navigation Preparation:

• Weather forecast checked
• Passage planned with alternatives
• Charts and equipment ready
• GPS/plotter functional with waypoints loaded
• Compass deviation checked

Engine and Systems:

• Engine oil and coolant levels checked
• Fuel sufficient for passage plus reserve
• Battery charged and connections secure
• Cooling water intake clear
• Steering operational
• Spare engine oil

Regular Checks (Before Each Trip):

• Battery voltage and connections
• Engine oil and coolant levels
• Bilge pump operation
• Navigation light function
• VHF radio operation
• Fuel levels and tank condition
• Inline fuel filter check

Monthly Maintenance:

• Lifejacket condition and CO2 cartridges
• Flare expiry dates
• EPIRB/PLB battery status and registration validity
• First aid kit contents
• Tool condition and completeness
• Emergency equipment accessibility

Annual Service:

• Fire extinguisher professional service
• Lifejacket professional service
• Engine full service
• Electronics calibration
• Safety equipment replacement as needed

UK Emergency Services:

• Coastguard: VHF Channel 16 or 999/112
• Local Harbourmaster: Check local frequencies

Emergency Procedures:

1. Mayday Call: Life-threatening emergency
2. Pan Pan Call: Urgent but not life-threatening
3. Securité Call: Safety information

Key Information to Provide:

• Vessel name and call sign
• Position (GPS coordinates)
• Nature of emergency
• Number of persons on board
• Description of vessel

• RYA Equipment Guidelines: rya.org.uk/equipment-for-uk-pleasure-vessels
• Powerboat Training UK: powerboat-training-uk.co.uk
• RYA Publications: Training manuals and safety guides
• Local Chandleries: For equipment purchase and advice
• RYA Training Centres: For courses and practical instruction

Remember: This guide represents best practice recommendations. Always check current regulations and consider your specific operating area, vessel type, and experience level when selecting safety equipment. Regular training and equipment familiarization are as important as having the right kit on board.