What should be in your emergency toolkit

There are many things that can go wrong on boats - props foul, anchors drag, engines stall, and hoses spring leaks. We all hope that when trouble finds us, we’ll have plenty of sea room and hands on deck to help get our boats back on track. But if you’re about to cross a bar, enter a marina, or find yourself drifting swiftly onto a lee shore or into the path of another vessel, you might not have much time to react.

As someone who’s been in that hot seat more times than seems fair, I know the value of an emergency toolkit. There’s plenty of crossover between this kit and my immense stockpile of regular boat maintenance tools - the difference is that I can swiftly have my hands on this ‘first responder’ grab bag of essentials without wasting crucial time rummaging and searching for them.

I keep some items, such as a rigging knife and head torch, close at hand on the helm. The rest is stored in a waterproof tool bag that’s also stocked with quick-fix consumables such as epoxy putty, cable ties and waterproof tape. It doesn’t contain everything I might need, but it’s usually enough to hold back the tide.

• Multitool or rigging knife (e.g. Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife) -Ideal for cutting lines, clearing debris from props, or tightening loose fasteners.
• Mask and snorkel: Useful for inspecting fouled propellers or hull damage, or retrieving anchors in shallow water.
• Waterproof sealant or epoxy putty: For instantly patching leaks and cracks.
• Hose clamps, cable ties & self‑amalgamating tape: Essential for stopping hose leaks and creating watertight temporary repairs.
• Digital multimeter: Quickly diagnose electrical faults. Pair with wire crimpers, spare wire, connectors, fuses and electrical tape. A soldering iron is a bonus.
• Strap wrench: For changing fuel and oil filters — always carry spare filters.
• Outboard owners: add a spark plug socket and spare plugs.
• Tapered plugs: for through‑hull fittings - Plus a heavy hammer to drive them home if needed.
• Waterproof, USB‑rechargeable head torch
• Hands‑free lighting for emergency repairs — keep it charged and accessible.
• Needle‑nose pliers
• Vice grips for stubborn fasteners
• Adjustable spanner
• Flat and Phillips‑head screwdrivers (correct sizes for your boat)
• Allen keys (metric or imperial to suit your fittings)
• WD‑40 or similar lubricant
• Sail tape or gaffer tape
• Hacksaw
  
  

• Prop puller and spare prop
• A jerry can of clean fuel
• Jumper leads for small boats without an auxiliary charging system
• A tow line as a last resort to enable any willing and able vessel to tow you home.