• What sea safety equipment is required on your vessel?

• What you carry will be shaped by the type of vessel you have, its size, its design, and the area you are going to sail in. Sailing in sheltered waters, sailing offshore, or blue water sailing have different requirements.

• In an emergency carrying the right equipment can make all the difference to the outcome and your safe return.

The below may assist you in considering what to carry.

1 Manual bilge pump

2 Bucket of at least 7 litres capacity on a stout lanyard

3 Ships Compass

4 Fire extinguisher (one for each cabin)

5 Fire blanket

6 Lifebuoy with drogue x 2

7 Buoyant heaving line, 15m minimum, readily accessible

8 Foul weather clothing for each crew member.

9 A lifejacket/buoyancy aid, and / or harness for all on board

10 Suitable secure points to clip on to

11 A DSC/VHF radio

12 Anchor and chain/warp suitable for the size of craft

13 Strong attachment point suitable for anchoring or towing.

14 Small jib and the ability to reef the mainsail

15 Navigation lights (port, starboard, stern, steaming, and anchor)

16 An updated Chart of the area and navigating instruments

17 Tide tables and navigation publications for the area you are sailing in

18 Hand bearing compass

19 GPS

20 Echo sounder or a lead line

21 Radar reflector and a means of hoisting it

22 Set of suitable hand flares/rockets. (Sold as coastal,  or offshore  packs; red, orange and white in colour)

23 Sound signalling device (aerosol type, manual, or fully automatic)

24 Materials and tools for simple rig, sail and engine repairs

26 First aid kit

27 Sufficient food and water for a possible extended stay at sea.

28 Powerful searchlight and hand torch (spare batteries)

29 Sufficient fuel for the outward leg, return leg, plus a safety margin (1/3rd, 1/3rd, and 1/3rd)

30 An Inflatable dinghy and/or life-raft. (An inflatable may be sufficient in coastal or sheltered waters, but offshore a suitable life-raft is essential)

31 Please note all equipment such as flares, fire extinguishers, lifejackets, and liferafts have an expiry date and require a timely service or replacing.