Boating Safety Equipment Checklist

The following checklists give you the minimum safety equipment needed for Australian waters.

Checklists

Equipment requirements for recreational boating are different between states, with variables and exemptions relating to the size and type of vessel as well as factors like operating area and distance from land.

Check the full equipment lists available online from the relevant state boating and national yachting authorities.

All vessels
Inshore (less than 2NM off coastline)
Offshore (more than 2NM off coastline)

All vessels

Second anchor, chain and rope
Tow rope
First aid kit

Antiseptic solution
Adhesive strips, bandages, dressing pads
Gloves
Paracetamol
Surgical scissors
First aid pamphlet and resuscitation chart
Safety blanket

Seasickness tablets
Fresh drinking water
Tool kit

Engine spare parts and new spark plugs
Electrical spares
Knife
Screwdrivers
Adjustable spanners
Pliers
Bolt or wire cutters
Metal saw
Hammer
Hose clamps
Electrical tape

Mask and snorkel
Signalling mirror
Marine strobe (intense strobe light visible up to 3.2km)
Dye marker (luminescent green dye released into the sea, covers approximately 50 metres)
Barometer
Radar reflector
Sea anchor
Emergency steering
Display flags (N over C)
Boat hook
Spare fuel
Spare propeller

Required for inshore boating (less than 2NM off coastline)

Make sure everyone onboard knows how to use the safety equipment
Make sure items like lifejackets, flares and emergency beacons (EPIRBs) remain easily accessible
Regularly check expiry dates on all equipment and replace as needed
Lifejackets - level 50S or greater, one per person (check local regulations for usage and exemptions)
Anchor and chain or line
Bailer or bucket with lanyard
Bilge pump - manual or auto (for vessels with covered bilge)
Fire extinguisher (required on all vessels with electric start, electric motors, battery or stove)
Sound signal – air horn, whistle or bell
Waterproof torch – floating and operational
Paddles or oars (vessels under 6 metres) unless auxiliary propulsion is fitted
Navigation lights (sunset to sunrise)

Required for offshore boating (more than 2NM off coastline)

Lifejackets - level 100 or greater, one per person (check local regulations for usage and exemptions)

Inflatable lifejackets must be serviced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
Inflatable lifejackets are not recommended for non-swimmers and children

Hand-held orange smoke flares – minimum of 2

Used in daylight
Visible up to 10km by aircraft
Must comply with Australian Standard AS 2092

Hand-held red flares – minimum of 2

Visibility range of 10km
For use at night but can also be seen in daylight
Must comply with Australian Standards AS 2092

Red star parachute distress rocket – optional

Fires a single red star to approximately 300m
Burns for at least 40 seconds with a visibility range of potentially 40km
Required by many vessels venturing more than 5 nautical miles offshore

White parachute flare – optional

Specialised flare used to illuminate search/rescue area

Marine radio - 27 MHz, VHF or HF

All operators of marine radios (except 27 MHz) are required to hold appropriate licence to operate the device
Can be supplemented with a mobile phone for coastal boating

EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

406 MHz (must be registered with AMSA and in date)
A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) may be carried in addition to a 406 EPIRB as an extra precaution

Compass - can be augmented by a GPS unit

Map - paper (not electronic) chart for area of operation

V sheet - orange with black vee

Drinking water - 2 to 4 litres per person, depending on State

Lifebuoy - legally required on vessels greater than 8 metres in some States

Life raft - National Marine Safety Committee recommends all recreational vessels going more than 2nm offshore carry a life raft or dinghy

Mandatory on Category 1 and 2 offshore racing yachts
Mandatory in South Australia on boats over 15m operating offshore
Victoria requires life raft or dinghy for boats 12m + operating 2nm from shore
Equipment and rations should comply with Australian Sailing or SOLAS regs

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