Safety Checklist
The key to safe boating is in the preparation. Follow these simple steps to help make your day on the water a safe and enjoyable one.
Before Summer
Boat
Check your vessel for signs of corrosion, cracking, delamination or warping which could be the start of a much bigger problem. Check the onboard equipment and make sure that everything is working as it should.
Engines
Keep your engine serviced. Periodically check the oil & other fluids and carry some basic tools and spares. Make sure that your engine start battery is well charged and consider carrying a jump pack for emergency starts.
Safety Equipment
Make sure you have at least the minimum legally required equipment. What safety equipment do I need?
Keep it easily accessible, in good condition and make sure your flares are in date and that your 406 EPRIB is registered with AMSA. We strongly recommend EPIRBs that are GPS equipped.
It is also critical that you and your crew are familiar with how the safety equipment operates. For example; every brand of EPIRB is different, and most are not activated by water but must be switched on manually.
Before You Leave Home
Check the Weather
Always check the boating weather forecast. If in doubt, don’t go out.
Before You Hit the Water
Fuel
Make sure you have enough fuel for your entire journey. Allow for the unexpected in your calculations; you should aim to use one third to get out to where you are going, one third to get back and one third as contingency. If in doubt, fill it up.
Life Vests
Make sure you have enough life vests for everyone onboard, that they are properly serviced, and ensure that all crew know how to put them on and use them. Boating accidents can happen quickly; life vests should be worn, not stowed.
Passengers
Make sure that your passengers are familiar with the use and location of all safety equipment on board and ensure that someone else other than the skipper can handle the boat in an emergency.
Once Underway
Log On
Always Log On. It’s fast, easy, and could be the difference between lost and found. See how to here. Logging on with your local Marine Rescue group is the best way to ensure that action is taken if you don’t come home on time. Don’t just leave it your mate or family member to raise the alarm because time is of the essence in an emergency. Logging on is also a good opportunity to check the operation of your vessel’s radio.
Listen
Keep your marine radio on and tuned to the emergency frequency (VHF ch16 or 27Mhz ch88). You may be closest to another boater experiencing an emergency and able to render assistance.