Sailing is a sport that requires a lot of skills and you need to practice sailing to get familiar with the water. As we know that the sea is full of dangerous things , so it is essential to equip your small boat with proper safety equipment.
Some people have a fear of being in a small boat because they don’t know how to handle it properly. But the water is safe if you have emergency safety equipment with you.
What Safety Equipment Should be Carried in a Small Boat?
USCG Approved Life Jacket for Each Passenger
When you are going on a trip on the boat, you must have a life jacket. It is a must for everyone to wear one while they are on the boat. No matter what kind of boat you are on, it is very important for you to wear a life jacket. It will protect you from drowning. If you wear a life jacket, it will help keep you afloat.
Life jackets are worn by swimmers, surfers, and divers. Divers also use them to save themselves from drowning if they find themselves in trouble underwater.
The USCG requires that each passenger on board the boat be wearing a life jacket. These life jackets have to be approved by the USCG. You will have to wear it during your entire trip and you can’t take off. The life jacket should fit your entire body so you can put it on and take it off easily.
Life vests are available in different sizes, colors, and materials. If you don’t have the right type of life jacket, you should buy it immediately.
Flotation Device
When you are sailing in the ocean, you need to have a safety device with you, such as a life raft, a life buoy, a life ring, or a floatation device. The main purpose of a floatation device is to save your life in case of an emergency. It will save your life when you are in danger. A flotation device is different from a life jacket or a life vest.
A life raft is a very useful thing in case the boat sinks. You will be able to stay safe in the water and you won’t have to wait for rescue.
Emergency Beacon
The emergency beacon will help the rescue team to reach you in a short time. The beacons are small devices that will send a signal to the search team. These devices are very helpful in an emergency.
You should purchase a survival beacon if you are going out boating or fishing alone. These are useful tools that help you to reach rescue crews in case you get lost. This means that if you have a survival beacon, then someone will be able to find you. When purchasing a survival beacon, you should look at the features and the quality.
Whistle or Sound Producing Device
You need to carry a whistle with you. This is the most important safety equipment that you need to carry with you. In case of emergency, you will be able to let others know about your situation and also they will be able to contact the coast guard.
Waterproof Flashlight
You need to carry with you an emergency waterproof flashlight. This is one of the most important safety equipment that you need to carry. You may come across a lot of dark spots while you are at sea and you may end up getting stranded. So, you need to carry an emergency flashlight so that you can use it if you come across a dangerous spot.
VHF Radio
You need to carry a VHF radio. It will help you to call the coast guard or other boats and you can ask them for help.
Survival Kit
You need to carry a survival kit. The survival kit will contain a first aid kit, fire starter, and a life jacket.
Portable Compass
You need to carry a compass. A compass will help you to navigate and it will also help you to find the way back to the shore.
First Aid Kit
The first aid kit is the most important equipment in the small boat. It has a variety of things like bandages, scissors, antiseptic cream, gauze, etc.
It is the most important thing that you must carry while you are traveling by any kind of boat. This kit will help you in a variety of situations. You can use this kit for minor injuries as well as serious injuries.
Goggles
It is a good idea to carry goggles when you are in a small boat. It is because you cannot see anything clearly if you don’t wear them.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is also an essential piece of equipment in a small boat. Sunscreen can prevent harmful rays from damaging your skin.
Fire Extinguisher
If you have a fire extinguisher on your boat, then you will be able to fight the fire. The most common problem faced by the people is that they don’t have a fire extinguisher and that is why they can’t fight the fire.
Spare Fuel
It is very important to have a spare fuel tank. You will never know what is going to happen in a small boat and sometimes the engine will stop and you will run out of gas.
Rope
The rope is an essential thing in the boat. When you are going fishing or boating in the water, you will need to bring a rope.
There are different ways to attach the rope to your boat. For instance, you can tie the rope to the mast of your boat. Then, you can tie it to the bow of your boat. This is a safe way to keep your boat stable. You can also tie it to your anchor and use it to get yourself out of trouble.
You can use the rope to tie the boat to a dock or the bank. You can use it to tie down the sails if they are too big. And you can use it to tie down the oars if you are too tired to row the boat.
A Hat
If you are traveling to a place where the sun is very strong, then you should carry a hat. A good hat will protect you from the harmful rays of the sun.
A Good Sunglasses
If you are traveling to a place where there is a lot of dust and sand, then you must carry a good pair of sunglasses. These glasses will protect you from the harmful rays of the sun.
Food
You must carry a good amount of food for your trip. You don’t need to carry all the food that you will eat during the entire trip, but you must carry enough for two days. You can use this food for your trip as well as for your next trip.
Towels
Some people always carry towels with them in case they fall overboard. These towels are very useful to them. You should always keep a towel handy to dry yourself off. When you get in the water, you will always get wet and cold. A towel is a perfect tool to protect you from the cold. You shouldn’t be careless about it.
Hiking boots
It is important to wear hiking boots as they will help you to walk in rocky places.
Stove
A stove will provide you with a hot meal and you won’t need to prepare food in the water.
Toiletries
You will need a toothbrush, soap, and deodorant to keep yourself clean and fresh.
Warm Clothes
It will be important to carry some warm clothes, they will keep you comfortable and dry in the water.
Paddle and Boot Hook
You should carry a paddle that is strong and lightweight. A wooden paddle is the best choice, as it is strong and will last for a long time.
The boat hook is very useful. You can use this to pull out your boat when you’re having difficulty with your motor.
For a small boat, you need to use a paddle, oar, or a boat hook. These items will help you move through the water safely. You need to be careful when you are using these items, though. You should not use them unless you are very experienced with the activity. You need to know how to use these items correctly.
Cell phone and Charger
You should carry a cell phone and charger with you whenever you are on your boat. You can use a cell phone or a smartphone in case of emergency. Also, you should carry a solar charger so that you can charge your phone. If you get lost in the middle of nowhere, it’s good to have a phone with you. It will allow you to communicate with others and you can also contact someone to help you find your way home.
Proper Navigation Light
If you own a small boat, you definitely should buy navigation lights for it. You should also buy some white all-around lights & side-light on your boat. These lights should be placed on your boat.
GPS
If you plan on sailing on the ocean, you must have a GPS on board. You need to know the direction of your destination and you need to know the distance between your current location and your destination.
Distress signal
One of the most important pieces of equipment that you need is a distress signal. If you get into an accident or have some type of problem with your boat, you need to be able to contact someone and let them know what happened. A distress signal will help you to let them know where you are.
Bilge Pump or Bailing Device
If you own a small boat, you need a bilge pump. A bilge pump is a machine that pumps water out of the boat when it gets flooded with water.
Also, you will probably want to carry some kind of bailing device with you. Otherwise, you may end up sinking or capsizing the boat because you can’t bail it out. Your best option is to use a plastic bucket with a spout attached. The spout makes it easier for you to scoop water out of the boat.
Dry Bags
Dry bags are a very important piece of equipment that you need to have on your small boat. These bags are great for storing and transporting your belongings. A dry bag is like a backpack, and it is waterproof. So, you need to carry it around with you to keep items safe. These are great for your fishing trip and for keeping your important things.
Reasons To Buy Safety Equipment for Small Boat
Now, when it comes to safety, you can either choose the traditional and cheap safety equipment or you can choose advanced and high-tech boat safety equipment. If you are looking for the advanced and best boat safety equipment, then I suggest you check out the best equipment. Because:
1. It will save your life
If you don’t buy the right boat safety equipment, then you might end up losing your life. The safety equipment will help you to avoid such a situation. It will also help you to get the best of your boat.
2. It will make you feel safe
If you are not feeling safe in your boat, then you might end up losing your life. The safety equipment will make you feel safe and secure in your boat.
3. It will make you feel happy
The safety equipment will make you feel happy and secure while you are boating. You will enjoy boating in your boat and will not feel bored.
4. It will make you confident
You will feel confident in your boat, as you will be wearing the safety equipment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, If you own or operate a powerboat or fishing vessel, you must carry the appropriate safety equipment in your boat for maximum safety. You must carry the above-mentioned items on board to ensure your safety.