Our top 10 must haves items for boating safely
1. LIFE VEST Our number one item for safely boating has to be a life jacket. Not only do we suggest this, it is a coastguard requirement. Having on a lifejacket is very important. You never know when an emergency may occur on the water. The last thing you want to have happen is end up in the water during an emergency and not have on this very important piece of safety gear. You should always have enough life jackets to account for everyone on board your boat. Depending on the size of the boat a throwable life preserver is also needed and very important. The self inflating style are the most comfortable and provide a excellent ability to be compact for storage.
2. VHF RADIO No matter the boat size, you always want to have a VHF radio. These are used for easy communications between others boats, as well as and probably the most important, the coast guard on channel 16. These come in many different styles to fit the size and type of vessel. From a simple kayak all the way to jumbo cargo ships. The simplest form that we recommend would be a floating handheld VHF. Standard Horizon is a well known brand. These are great for small boats and very compact. They are also a great back up for a ditch back in a larger offshore boat. They also come in fixed mount, which are more suited and required for most power and sail boats. Again, do not leave the dock without one.
3. FIRST AID KIT You never now when you made need a quick bandage or even worse, a tourniquet. Being prepared with the proper first aid kit is crucial. First aid kits come in a variety of different sizes. The basics comes with simple bandaids and maybe some form of an antiseptic cleaner. We recommend at least a mid tier kit, making sure it comes with a tourniquet for severe wounds. Lets face it, if not done safely, boating has many potential hazards. And if an accident of any kind occurs, we want to be prepared. Also keep in mind that having the kit waterproof is also important. Pelican hard cases has teamed up with others to produce a great product. Although it is higher priced, it has many of the needed items and comes in a great Pelican waterproof case. Click below to browse through many options.
4. Jump Starter Pack One of the worst feeling is when you go to leave your fishing hole, or the island to head home and you get the famous click sound. You tried to start your engine and the battery if dead! Well this is not much of a problem if you have a battery powered jump starter pack. Of course you could get away with simple jumper cables if there is another boater near by willing to give you a jump. But with the advancements in todays lithium battery technology. You can jump start your engine with a power pack that will fit in the palm of your hand. These are also great backup power for cell phones, flashlights, you name it and it can probably charge it. They also make great compact waterproof cases for the jump starter pack. Out personal favorite is Noco brand. They come in many different sizes depending out the application and have served many well.
5. Tool Kit Did a screw come loose? Need to swap out a battery? Engine issues? All of these situations would benefit from a simple and handy tool kit. We recommend at least having the basics, but you can never have to many tools on a boat. A screw drive set, small hammer, sockets set, voltage tester, various style pliers, and wrenches are what we would consider basic tools needed to have on board. Having these at your disposal when you are on the water and in bind is paramount. It also would help to be sure to have some basic knowledge of the systems on your boat. If your are a salt water boater be mindful of the salt and invest in stainless steel tools, you will thank us later. The Greatneck 125pcs Marine set is a good choice for your basic needs.
6. EPIRB The Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon is a vital safety line. Though this item is fairly pricey, it can save your life! This beacon will be your lifeline to help in a life or death situation. When a EPIRB is activated a signal is sent out globally to emergency and rescue crew. You register you boat to the specific signal your EPRIB emits. Once crews are on scene they can easily identify the vessel and begin rescue. In our eyes the EPIRB is important even in lake or coastal waters. You never know when an emergency will arise and you do not have time to radio or call for help. There are many different style so be sure to research the specific model for your needs. The ACR Global fix is an excellent all around option.
7. SUNSCREEN Being based in Florida we know all to well the power of the sun. Some form of sunscreen is extremely important. The sun can cause sever burns, sickness, and even cancer. Our top choice on sunscreen is Blue Lizard. The ingredients are excellent. This sunscreen spreads and covers well and is promptly absorbed. It also does not leave a harsh white residue. There are different forms of the Blue Lizard which are specific to your activity or application location. ex) Face, body, sport, baby, sensitive skin and so on. Our favorite is the sport 30, due to its great ability to stay on during sweaty activities and longevity.
8. SATELITE MESSENGER The satellite messenger has become a very popular alternative to a satellite phone. They are compact, easy to use global messaging devices. So no matter where you are, you are able to communicate with your loved ones or whom ever you made need to reach. Maybe the bite is hot and you do not want to come in offshore at the time you had originally planed. Simple, just send a quick text message to whom ever is expecting you back. This way emergency crews are not unnecessarily sent out looking for you, and you can keeping bringing in the fish. There are multiple to choose from, all of which require a monthly subscription to activate. The plans are relatively affordable. Our top pick is the Garmin Inreach. It is very compact, the monthly plans are priced right, and it easily integrates with Garmin MFD systems.
9. DITCH BAG The Ditch Bag is not a single item. It is a water proof bag, filled with items necessary to survive in the event you have to leave your vessel and survive in the water. The Primary item is going to be the bag itself. It should be water proof, and maintain some sort of buoyancy. The contents can vary but a few items are no brainers. A waterproof floating vhf, whistle or air horn, knife, water, and some form of food ration would be some of the top suggested items. Again this list is just a basic example. Depending on what type of boating you are involved in would help dictate what needs to be in the bag. A popular choice of bag is produced by ACR. It is spacious, waterproof and contains some of the basic essentials. There are many to choose from. just be sure to choice one of the proper size for your boating situation.
10. SPARE BILGE PUMP You may never need a spare bilge pump. But when you do you will be really glad you do. Many boats have a single bilge pump to discharge water overboard in the event the boat is taking on water. There are a few problems with this. The first being that a single pump may just simply not be able to keep up with the amount of water coming in. Second would be failure. That feeling of the pump not working when you need it would be a horrible feeling. A spare bilge pump wired and ready to go at a moments notice could keep you and your family and your boat above water. There are multiple forms of bilge pumps that will work as a spare. Ranging from a simple hand pump, all the way up to a large volume battery powered bilge pumps. Below we will list a variety to sort through. Remember that depending on your setup, your needs will vary. Choose what works best for your boat setupB
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.