Everyone (hopefully) knows that it is a USCG minimum equipment requirement for recreational boaters to have certain safety items on board ie. life jackets, fire extinguishers, noise makers, signaling devices, etc. Check with your specific state guidelines as well for any additional requirement they may have. That, however is just the foundation and basics of what you should carry on board to be properly prepared. This guide will provide some a more robust take on how to be prepared for almost any given situation while on the water including spare tools, emergency equipment, and backup devices to potentially prevent and/or respond better to an emergency,
To begin, consider the size of your vessel, number of crew members, and your on-water plan. A fishing kayak and and a charter boat going to the Gulf Stream are going to have very different destination goals, amounts of space, number of people, and risks involved. So, assess your individual situation in order to best assemble the kit that works for you.
If you don't have (or know how to read) a paper chart, it may be a good idea to to have several back-up navigation systems. There are several apps you can download to your phone, but there are also on-board and handheld waterproof units that you can purchase as backups.
One of the worst sounds you can hear while out on the water is that of silence - the sudden lack of sound or decaying growl of your engine. A failed engine can lead to a number of emergency situations. Nearby structures, breaking waves, or intense currents are all hazards that become especially dangerous when you lose power. While having a anchor and an anchor line to at least hold you in place is absolutely necessary, having a source of secondary propulsion can also save you and your vessel. A secondary outboard, a trolling motor, or at the very least, a set of oars should be kept on board in the case of a failed engine.
Knife - cutting line from a fouled propeller, stripping electrical wire, cleaning up cracked/frayed hoses.
Multi-tools - Leathermans or Swiss army knives can be super helpful and suffice for other tools.
Spark plug wrench - Assuming you keep spare spark plugs on board.
Adjustable wrench(es) - sized to the smallest and largest diameter fittings on your boat can fix parts that have rattled off or tighten through hull parts that may be causing you to take on water.
Socket set - Be sure to have multiple sized wrenches for the big stuff and hard to reach spots.
Multihead screwdriver. Ideally, carry both short- and long-shaft screwdrivers and screwdriver bits for the types of screws you have. Take note of the different screw heads you may have to deal with.
Needle nose pliers - May be one of the most utilized tools on a boat!
Bolt cutters - For cutting sailboat rigging in the event of a dismasting.
Hammer - For those times when nothing else seems to work (a rubber mallet is nice to have too).
Light - Flashlight, spotlight, headlamps for whatever the scenario may be at night.
Binoculars - Can be helpful for spotting others in distress or navigating
Snorkel and mask - In the case that you need to inspect under the boat if suspect a fouled prop or a puncture to the hull (if you are capable of safely doing so).
Spares & consumables
It may seem like overkill to carry a spare bilge pump...until your boat is taking on water and either your bilge pump decided today was the day it would stop working, or it can't keep up with the amount of water you are taking on. Every boat should carry a manual bilge pump in addition to their primary bilge pump, or at the very least, a bailing bucket for bailing water. You may additionally choose to carry underwater epoxy for emergency hull repairs, or a universal one-size-fits-all hull plug.
Carrying a high-quality marine first-aid kit is a must. This should absolutely, without a doubt, include a tourniquet and you should know exactly how to use it properly as it could save a life! It doesn't hurt to carry motion sickness/seasickness medication and rehydration salts for that friend or guest who said they don't get seasick but then unexpectedly realize that they do, in fact, get seasick...A marine first-aid handbook or app is a good addition.
Once you've laid out everything you need, it's important to create an inventory to keep up with items that may get used each season and need to be replenished or replaced. Batteries and lightbulbs can expire, and tools can become rusty despite best efforts to keep them from corroding. Make sure everyone on board is aware of where everything is located and how to use each item. It's good to encourage boating safety classes like the one that we offer each season, as well as learning First-Aid and CPR. Being overly prepared will ensure you and your passengers' safety as well as give you more of a peace of mind when it comes time again to get out on the water.
If you have questions or need recommendations for resources when it comes boating safety, please don't ever hesitate to call one of our marine insurance agents. You can reach us at 910-762-8551 or by email at insurance@wellsins.com.
Also check out these resources for safety kits:
Marpac Pre-Packaged USCG Compliance and Safety Kits