Equipment for Pleasure Vessels
Make sure you are properly equipped before going on the water.
Some equipment is mandatory for Pleasure Vessels of 13.7m in length and over. Depending on how far from the coast you venture, you may be required by law to have items such as a liferaft, lifebuoys, lifejackets, flares, a marine radio and a boarding ladder.
For Pleasure Vessels of less than 13.7 metres in length there are no statutory requirements for safety equipment other than those required under SOLAS V.
However, it is essential that you properly equip your boat prior to going on the water and that you ensure that the craft is suitable for its intended use. All equipment should be checked regularly for wear and tear or damage.
You will require different equipment for day boats and boats with eating and sleeping facilities. It is essential that you take the time to learn how each item is used.
The following list is not exhaustive, but together with the links provided should provide a basis for equipping your boat.
Key:
E = Essential
M = Mandatory
R = Recommended
D = at your Discretion
C = read information page for alternative options
* = varies with area of operation
^ = varies with type of boat
Safety Equipment for Pleasure vessels up to 13.7m in length
Essential
| A lifejacket(or buoyancy aid^) for everyone on board |
E |
| Safety harness(es) |
E^ |
| Kill cord & spare |
E^ |
| Information & communications: |
|
| - Marine Radio (e.g.VHF) |
E |
| Navigation and collision avoidance: |
|
| - Chart(s), Almanac and Pilot Book |
E |
| - Hand Bearing Compass |
E |
| - Handheld white flares (for collision avoidance) or powerful torch |
E |
| Emergencies: |
|
| - 406 MHz EPIRB / PLB |
E* |
| - First aid kit |
E |
| - Liferaft and grab bag |
E* |
| - Fire fighting equipment |
E |
| - Equipment to deal with a man overboard (life ring, dan buoy etc.) |
E |
| - Emergency tiller (for wheel steered boats) |
E^ |
| - Equipment to deal with water ingress (Bailer, Bilge Pump, Bungs) |
E |
| - Bucket (strong with lanyard) folding buckets are not recommended |
E |
| - Emergency VHF aerial for fixed VHF |
E^ |
| Other important equipment: |
|
| Anchor & cable / warp |
E |
| Tools and spares (engine, electrics, rig, sails etc) |
E |
| Boarding ladder |
E |
| Spare fuel (in appropriate storage) |
E |
| Waterproof torch(es) |
E |
| Mooring lines and fenders |
E |
| Knife |
E |
| Pump & puncture repair kit (for inflatable boats) |
E |
| Alternative means of propulsion (oars, outboard engine etc.) |
E |
| Ship’s Log Book |
E |
| Accurate clock or watch |
E |
Mandatory
Recommended
| Information & communications: |
|
| - LW Radio (to receive BBC Radio 4 shipping forecast) |
R |
| Navigation and collision avoidance: |
|
| - Fixed steering compass (lit for boating at night) |
R |
| - Drawing instruments for navigation (e.g. plotter & dividers) |
R |
| - Binoculars |
R |
| - Echo sounder |
R |
| - Log (for monitoring distance travelled) |
R |
| - GPS / Chart Plotter |
R |
| - NAVTEX |
R |
| Other important equipment: |
|
| Barometer |
R* |
| Storm sails (for sailing yachts) |
R* |
| Bosun’s chair or equivalent (for sailing yachts) |
R^ |
| Tender |
R |
| Tow rope |
R |
| Boat hook |
R |
at your Discretion
| Information & communications: |
|
| - MF / HF radio |
D* |
| - SSB radio and / or Satellite telephone |
D* |
| Navigation and collision avoidance: |
|
| - Automatic Identification System (AIS) |
D |
| - Radar |
D |
| Emergencies: |
|
| - SART / AIS SART |
D* |
| - Flares |
C |
| Other important equipment: |
|
| Propeller guards and rope cutters |
D |
| Sea anchor & / drogue |
D* |
Safety Equipment for Pleasure vessels 13.7m and over
Essential
| Safety harness(es) |
E |
| Kill cord & spare |
E^ |
| Navigation and collision avoidance: |
|
| - Chart(s), Almanac and Pilot Book |
E |
| - Hand Bearing Compass |
E |
| Emergencies: |
|
| - 406 MHz EPIRB / PLB |
E* |
| - First aid kit |
E |
| - Emergency tiller (for wheel steered boats) |
E^ |
| - Equipment to deal with water ingress (Bailer, Bilge Pump, Bungs) |
E |
| - Emergency VHF aerial for fixed VHF |
E^ |
| Other important equipment: |
|
| Anchor & cable / warp |
E |
| Tools and spares (engine, electrics, rig, sails etc) |
E |
| Spare fuel (in appropriate storage) |
E |
| Waterproof torch(es) |
E |
| Mooring lines and fenders |
E |
| Knife |
E |
| Pump & puncture repair kit (for inflatable boats) |
E |
| Alternative means of propulsion (oars, outboard engine etc.) |
E |
| Ship’s Log Book |
E |
| Accurate clock or watch |
E |
Mandatory
Recommended
| Information & communications: |
|
| - LW Radio (to receive BBC Radio 4 shipping forecast) |
R |
| Navigation and collision avoidance: |
|
| - Fixed steering compass (lit for boating at night) |
R |
| - Drawing instruments for navigation (e.g. plotter & dividers) |
R |
| - Binoculars |
R |
| - Echo sounder |
R |
| - Log (for monitoring distance travelled) |
R |
| - GPS / Chart Plotter |
R |
| - NAVTEX |
R |
| Other important equipment: |
|
| Barometer |
R |
| Storm sails (for sailing yachts) |
R* |
| Bosun’s chair or equivalent (for sailing yachts) |
R^ |
| Tender |
R |
| Tow rope |
R |
| Boat hook |
R |
at your Discretion
| Information & communications: |
|
| - SSB radio and / or Satellite telephone |
D* |
| Navigation and collision avoidance: |
|
| - Automatic Identification System (AIS) |
D |
| - Radar |
D |
| Emergencies: |
|
| - SART / AIS SART |
D* |
| Other important equipment: |
|
| Propeller guards and rope cutters |
D |
| Sea anchor & / drogue |
D* |
N.B. Vessels which are not being used within the definition of a pleasure vessel must comply with the relevant codes of practice.
The equipment listed as mandatory for pleasure vessels of 13.7m in length and over is that contained in the schedule to the general exemptions to Class XII vessels from the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Small Craft) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1011) and the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances For Ships Other Than Ships Of Classes III To VI(A)) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2721). Class XII vessels can also comply with the Merchant Shipping legislation however this information is not included within the table and doing so can prove impractical and there is the possibility of conflict with the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).
Contact UsArticle Published: October 24, 2013 14:29
Article Updated: March 31, 2014 17:46