Author: Boat Accessories Australia Date Posted: 18 September 2018
The safety equipment you need on your boat depends on the type of waterway you’re on, the vessel you’re in and distance from shore.
Equipping your boat with the correct safety equipment for your state or territory and keeping it in good working order is the best way of averting disaster when you’re out on the water. The difference between a simple mishap and a fatality could be determined by the safety equipment on board. If equipment is missing or not where it should be, the boat’s skipper and passengers can be in grave danger.
The rules vary in each state & territory, and there are also different requirements for boats used in enclosed waters (rivers, lakes, estuaries) vs boats used in the ocean. Some state and territory requirements vary based on the water conditions as well. Check out the requirements for your state or territory and make sure your boat is fitted out appropriately.
Lifejacket – Level 50S or greater
Anchor and chain/line
Bilge pump
Fire extinguisher
Paddles or oars and rowlocks
Safety label
Sound signal
Waterproof torch
Lifejacket – Level 50S or greater
Anchor with cable appropriate for vessel size
Fire extinguisher
Paddles or oars and rowlocks
Safety label
Sound signal
Waterproof torch
Compass
Distress flare - orange hand-held
Distress flare - red hand-held
Map/chart
V sheet
Drinking water
EPIRB 406MHz in date and registered with AMSA
Marine Radio
Navigation lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and during restricted visibility.
For more information, see NSW’s Transport Roads and Maritime Services Safety Equipment.
Approved Life Jacket
Waterproof torch minimum, white light recommended
For more information, see NCA Application for Boat Permit.
The minimum safety equipment required in enclosed and open waters:
Lifejacket – Level 50S or greater
Anchor and chain/line
Waterproof torch
EPIRB 406MHz in date and registered with AMSA
For more information, see Maritime Safety Victoria.
Firefighting equipment
Signalling device at night (torch)
Life jacket level 50, 100, 150, 275 or level 50 special purpose
Anchor
Drinking water
Oars or paddles
Pumping or bailing equipment
Flares (2 x red and 2 x orange smoke)
Firefighting equipment
V sheet
Signalling device at night (torch)
Life jacket level 100, 150, 275 or level 50 special purpose
Anchor with cable appropriate for vessel size
Chart
Compass
Drinking water
Oars or paddles
Pumping or bailing equipment
EPIRB
Flares (2 x red and 2 x orange smoke)
Firefighting equipment
V sheet
Signalling device at night (torch)
Life jacket level 100, 150, 275
Anchor with cable appropriate for vessel size
Chart
Compass
Drinking water
Oars or paddles
Pumping or bailing equipment
For more information, see Maritime Safety Queensland.
Bilge pump/bailer
Fire extinguisher
Anchor and line
Lifejacket
Flares (2 red and 2 orange smoke)
Bilge pump/bailer
Fire extinguisher
Anchor and line
Lifejacket
Flares (2 x red and 2 x orange smoke)
EPIRB
2 Parachute Flares (5+ nautical miles)
Marine Radio (5+ nautical miles)
See more information, see Department of Transport WA’s Safety Equipment.
One personal flotation device (PFD) Type 1, Type 2, Type 3
One bailer with a line attached or a bilge pump
One suitable anchor with cable
Fire extinguisher if cooking facilities are on board
Waterproof and buoyant torch (if at night)
One fire bucket
Pair of paddles or oars if the vessel is under 6 metres
One personal flotation device (PFD) Type 1, Type 2, Type 3
One bailer with a line attached or a bilge pump
One suitable anchor with cable
Fire extinguisher if cooking facilities are on board
Waterproof and buoyant torch (if at night)
One fire bucket
One life-buoy with line
One personal flotation device (PFD) Type 1
One bailer with a line attached or a bilge pump
One suitable anchor with cable
Two hand-held red flares two handheld orange smoke signals
Fire extinguisher if cooking facilities are on board
Waterproof and buoyant torch (if at night)
One fire bucket
Pair of paddles or oars or other means of auxiliary propulsion (if the vessel is under 6 metres)
One personal flotation device (PFD) Type 1
Two bailers with a line attached and a bilge pump
Two suitable anchors with cable
Two hand-held red flares two handheld orange smoke signals
Fire extinguisher if cooking facilities are on board
Waterproof and buoyant torch (if at night)
One fire bucket
One life-buoy with line
One personal flotation device (PFD) Type 1
One bailer with a line attached and a bilge pump
One suitable anchor with cable
Two hand-held red flares two handheld orange smoke signals
Four litres of fresh water
Fire extinguisher if cooking facilities are on board
Waterproof and buoyant torch (if at night)
A two-way marine radio
One fire bucket
Boat fitted with a compass, preferably liquid damped. A GPS is not considered to be a compass.
One personal flotation device (PFD) Type 1
Two bailers with a line attached and a bilge pump
Two suitable anchors with cable
Two hand-held red flares and two handheld orange smoke signals
4L of fresh water
Fire extinguisher if cooking facilities are on board
Waterproof and buoyant torch (if at night)
A two-way marine radio
One fire bucket
Boat fitted with a compass, preferably liquid damped, a GPS isn’t a compass
Additional Requirements for vessels in unprotected waters more than three nautical miles offshore :
One EPIRB
One V distress sheet
All vessels more than 10 nautical miles off from shore must also carry:
Two distress rockets with parachutes
A map or chart of the waters in which the boat will operate
All vessels more than 15 nautical miles off from shore must also carry:
An additional lifebuoy with line
A life raft
For more information, see the South Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet Safety Equipment.
One approved PFD for each person on board
One anchor with not less than 3 metres of chain
Two paddles or oars
One bailer or bilge pump
Two litres per person of fresh drinking water
One waterproof torch
One approved PFD for each person on board
One anchor with not less than 3 metres of chain
Two paddles or oars
One bailer or bilge pump
Two litres per person of fresh drinking water
One waterproof torch
Two red flares and two orange smoke signals
One V distress sheet
Portable fire extinguisher
Two 9 litre buckets with lanyards
One approved PFD for each person on board
One anchor with not less than 3 metres of chain
Two paddles or oars
One bailer or bilge pump
Two litres per person of fresh drinking water
One waterproof torch
Two red flares and two orange smoke signals
One V distress sheet
Portable fire extinguisher
Two 9 litre buckets with lanyards
One compass or operational GPS
Electronic or paper chart for the area of intended operation
One lifebuoy
One registered EPRIB
For more information see the Northern Territory’s Safety Guide for Recreational Boating.
Anchor rope and chain
Bailer/bilge pump
Life jacket
Fire extinguisher
Oars/auxiliary propulsion
Flares
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c16c4810-7fff-a26e-e574-d80c7071005" "="">Marine radio (recommended)
Heaving line (recommended)
First aid kit & water (recommended)
Anchor rope and chain
Bailer/bilge pump
Life jacket
Fire extinguisher
Oars/auxiliary propulsion
Flares
Marine radio
Heaving line
Lifebuoy (recommended)
EPIRB
Radar Reflector
First aid kit & water
Anchor rope and chain
Bailer/bilge pump
Life jacket
Fire extinguisher
Oars/auxiliary propulsion (recommended)
Flares
Marine radio (recommended)
Heaving line
Lifebuoy
EPIRB (recommended)
Radar reflector (recommended)
First aid kit & water (recommended)
Anchor rope and chain
Bailer/bilge pump
Life jacket
Fire extinguisher
Oars/auxiliary propulsion (recommended)
Flares
Marine radio
Heaving line
Lifebuoy
EPIRB
Radar reflector
First aid kit & water
For more information see Marine and Safety Tasmania’s Safety Equipment.
The above safety equipment applies to motor boats. For information on safety equipment for canoes/kayaks racing shells surf boats and skis rowboats dinghies personal watercraft sailing vessels off the beach vessels tenders sailboats and kiteboards see the link above for your state or territory.
The most critical piece of safety equipment is the life jacket. The design of jackets has improved over the years so they are much thinner and more comfortable to wear. Boat users are encouraged to wear their life jacket for the duration of the trip in open water. They have a far higher chance of surviving a boat capsizing or a fall overboard if they are wearing their life jacket.
The technology has saved many people’s lives worldwide. When you are nautical miles offshore an EPIRB may be your only chance at rescue.
Being able to communicate with boats in the area by radio allows you to call for help quickly.
Most flares only last three years before they expire. Make sure you keep a check on the expiry dates of flares and life jackets and replace before the expiry date. Fines can apply for having expired safety equipment on board.
If you have any queries about whether your safety equipment meets your state’s requirements call one of the experts at Boat Accessories Australia on 1300 308 161 or contact us online.