Direct answer
Every skipper should carry appropriate, serviceable safety equipment matched to the size of the boat, the planned voyage and the conditions. Core items are serviceable lifejackets for everyone on board, a registered distress-alerting device (EPIRB or PLB) and a marine radio, clear visual distress signals (pyrotechnic flares or approved electronic alternatives), fire extinguishers, a well-stocked first-aid kit, secure jacklines and harnesses for exposed decks, and a liferaft for offshore passages. Check the requirements for the state or territory you will sail in and use a voyage plan with a shore contact.
Why this matters
Australia’s coastline includes sheltered harbours, wide bays with strong tidal flows, and long exposed passages with large swell and rapidly changing weather. The right equipment — carried in good working order and used correctly — shortens response times, increases survival chances after incidents such as man-overboard or fire, and gives you controlled options rather than panic.
How to decide what to carry
Decide equipment by answering three simple questions before each trip: where are you going, how far from shore or safe haven will you be, and what weather and sea state are likely? Use those answers to scale from a basic day-sail kit to an offshore survival fit-out.
- Short, sheltered trips: prioritise correctly fitted lifejackets, a charged handheld VHF, small first-aid kit and throwable flotation.
- Coastal overnight trips: add a fixed VHF with DSC, registered EPIRB, pyrotechnic flares or approved electronic signals, jacklines and a more comprehensive first-aid kit.
- Offshore passages: include a liferaft sized for all on board, satellite or HF communications, redundancy in steering and communications, survival suits if temperatures justify, and additional stores and medical supplies.
Core items and practical notes
Lifejackets
Lifejackets are the essential personal item. In practice this means choosing the right type, fitting and practising wearing them under realistic conditions.
- Fit and type: select a lifejacket that fits the wearer’s chest size and weight. Test fit with clothing you will wear on the water. For children choose appropriately sized PFDs.
- Offshore features: crotch straps, integrated harness attachment points, reflective panels and an automatic or manual light increase survival chances at night.
- Practical drill: do a rapid-fit drill on the pontoon before departure. Practice a mock casualty lift in shallow water if possible to confirm the jacket keeps the head clear of the water.
- Care: rinse with fresh water after exposure to salt, check for UV deterioration and replace when seams, straps or buoyancy are compromised.
EPIRBs and PLBs
EPIRBs (vessel units) and PLBs (personal locator beacons) transmit a distress signal to search and rescue satellites. They are a primary alarm for serious incidents offshore.
- Selection: an EPIRB mounted on the vessel is usual for offshore work. A PLB is useful as a personal backup for crew who work on deck or for use in a dinghy.
- Mounting and access: mount EPIRBs where they can be released quickly and safely; consider a bracket that ejects automatically if the vessel sinks.
- Registration and testing: register each device with the relevant national authority and follow manufacturer guidance for self-tests and battery replacement. Keep registration details up to date.
Flares and visual distress signals
Flares remain a reliable way to attract attention at sea, particularly at night. Electronic strobes and signal mirrors are useful daytime supplements and may be safer in some craft.
- Types: carry a mix appropriate to your trip: night flares, parachute flares and daytime smoke if required by your voyage. Consider approved electronic visual distress devices where legal and practical.
- Storage and handling: keep flares dry and accessible, store them per manufacturer instructions, and practise the motions ashore so deployment from a lifejacket or liferaft is straightforward and safe.
- Expiry and replacement: replace pyrotechnic signals before expiry; electronic devices need battery checks and spares where possible.
Radios and communications
Communications are the quickest way to summon help and coordinate a response. VHF is the coastal standard; beyond VHF range use satellite messengers or HF radios.
- VHF setup: a fixed VHF with an external antenna gives the best range; always carry a waterproof handheld VHF as backup and ensure it is charged and stored in a dry pocket.
- DSC and MMSI: if your radio supports DSC, program the correct MMSI so automated distress alerts include vessel identity and position when GPS is available.
- Satellite/HF: consider a satellite communicator for extended offshore work; learn how to send an emergency message and how to use two-way text features for situation updates.
- Radio drills: practise Mayday and Pan-Pan calls, and know the channels used by local authorities and volunteer rescue services in your area.
Fire extinguishers
On small boats galley and engine-room fires are the most common. Choose extinguishers that match likely fuel sources and keep them accessible.
- Types: use an extinguisher rated for fuel and electrical fires where engines and electrics are present. Check manufacturer guidance for sizing on your vessel.
- Mounting and accessibility: install extinguishers in labelled, secure brackets near likely fire sources and in exit routes. They must be reachable quickly from the cockpit or companionway.
- Inspection and service: inspect gauges and seals regularly and follow manufacturer or statutory guidance for servicing or replacement.
Liferafts
A liferaft is a survival system for situations where keeping the boat afloat or controlling it has become impossible. For true offshore voyages a liferaft is a critical item.
- Sizing and fitting: choose a raft capacity at least equal to your maximum crew. Stow it in a dedicated valise or cradle that allows rapid, unobstructed release and inflation.
- Equipment inside: liferafts typically include sea anchors, paddles, water and rations, signalling devices and repair kits. Know what your raft contains and how to use it.
- Servicing: liferafts require professional servicing at manufacturer-specified intervals. Note service dates visibly and plan replacements in advance.
Jacklines, harnesses and tethers
Jacklines and harness systems let crew stay clipped on while moving on deck in rough conditions, reducing the risk of falling overboard.
- Installation: secure jacklines to strong padeyes or bulkhead points. Run them low and clear of winches, reefs and running rigging to avoid snags.
- Use practice: practise moving along jacklines with gloves so clipping and unclipping becomes quick and safe. Use a short tether for work forward and a longer one for moving around the cockpit, but never be completely unclipped in exposed conditions.
- Inspection: inspect lines, tethers and harness attachment points for chafe and corrosion; replace hardware that shows wear.
First-aid kit and medical planning
Make the first-aid kit appropriate to crew numbers, voyage duration and likely risks. Medical planning reduces the chance that an injury becomes critical while waiting for help.
- Contents: beyond dressings and bandages include supplies for burns, eye irrigation, antiseptics, analgesics, seasickness remedies and tools such as a tourniquet, splints and gloves where appropriate.
- Personal medication: keep prescribed medicines in original packaging and a laminated list of crew allergies, conditions and medication schedules.
- Training: complete a marine first-aid course if you regularly cruise offshore. Simple skills such as wound management, hypothermia care and CPR significantly improve outcomes.
Pre-departure practical checklists
Use a short, laminated checklist and run through it as a team before every trip. Keep a copy in the cockpit and one at the chart table.
- Everyone has a serviceable lifejacket that fits and can be donned quickly.
- EPIRB/PLB is registered, accessible and battery condition checked.
- VHF radio(s) working; handheld backup charged and waterproofed.
- Flares and visual signals are within expiry and stored where easily reachable.
- Fire extinguisher(s) accessible and inspected; crew know locations and types.
- Jacklines and harnesses in place; crew familiar with clipping on and moving safely.
- First-aid kit stocked; crew aware of allergies and medication locations.
- Liferaft (if carried) stowed for quick deployment and service date current.
- Float plan filed with a shore contact and key details recorded on a waterproof card aboard.
State and territory requirements
Carriage requirements differ between Australian states and territories and depend on vessel length, passenger numbers and intended use. These rules can cover lifejackets, bilge pumps, distress signals and communications. Before you go, check the current guidance from the relevant state marine safety agency and carry documented evidence of compliance if required.
Practical scenarios and matching kit
These scenarios illustrate realistic equipment choices and actions for common Australian trips. Use them to test your inventory and crew readiness.
Scenario 1 — Day-sail in Port Phillip Bay (two adults, return inshore trip)
- Recommended kit: well-fitted lifejackets for both, a charged handheld VHF, small first-aid kit, a throwable flotation aid and a handheld strobe or flare for quick signalling.
- Key actions: brief crew on man-overboard steps (shout, point, slow down, throw flotation, recover) and show where equipment is stowed. Keep one crew member on lookout and practice a quick recovery drill before leaving the jetty.
Scenario 2 — Weekend coastal cruise on the NSW South Coast (four adults, overnight)
- Recommended kit: fixed VHF with DSC, handheld backup, registered EPIRB accessible on deck, pyrotechnic flares or approved electronic alternatives, fire extinguishers, jacklines and a comprehensive first-aid kit.
- Key actions: run a man-overboard drill at the start of the trip, brief crew on night-watch and emergency roles, and file a simple float plan with a shore contact. Keep EPIRB and PLBs available should you need to abandon ship into a liferaft.
Scenario 3 — Offshore passage (extended, variable weather)
- Recommended kit: liferaft sized for all aboard, registered EPIRB, satellite communicator or HF radio, redundancy in navigation and communications, extended medical kit and additional survival supplies.
- Key actions: perform a daylight abandon-ship drill so everyone practises boarding the liferaft, checking signalling equipment and operating the EPIRB or PLB. Confirm redundancy for critical systems and coordinate watch rotations to manage fatigue.
Short scenario — Engine fire entering a choppy harbour
- Immediate steps: stop the engine if safe to do so, isolate fuel supply, use the correct extinguisher for fuel or electrical fires, and muster crew in lifejackets in a safe, windward position.
- Follow-up: make a radio call for assistance on the local emergency channel, monitor the fire and be ready to abandon if the situation deteriorates. Log the incident for later servicing and repairs.
Maintenance, familiarisation and drills
Equipment only helps when it works and people know how to use it. Set a simple routine for checks and for regular practice with your crew.
- Monthly checks: batteries, radio function, lifejacket condition, choke points on jacklines and that flares and electronic signals are dry and accessible.
- Annual tasks: service EPIRBs/PLBs as recommended, replace expired flares, and have liferafts professionally serviced. Log service dates on the raft valise and in your maintenance file.
- Drills: practise man-overboard recovery, fire response and abandon-ship at least once each season and before any offshore passage. Keep drills short, realistic and focused on key steps.
Useful practical tips
- Keep a waterproof, laminated emergency information card with MMSI, EPIRB registration details, emergency contacts and a brief float plan in the cockpit.
- Store spares and small repair items in labelled waterproof containers; include essential tools, spare batteries and heavy-duty tape.
- Rotate perishable items ashore before expiry and replace them with fresh stock so supplies are always serviceable.
- Build redundancy for critical systems: two ways to call for help, two ways to float and at least two crew competent in essential emergency tasks.
Conclusion and practical next steps
Start by comparing your current inventory with the core items in this guide and with the demands of the trips you normally sail. Confirm the state or territory requirements that apply to your vessel and area, then schedule immediate actions: register or test distress beacons, book liferaft service if due, top up first-aid supplies and run a short briefing and drill with your crew.
Action checklist
- Inventory all safety equipment and note expiry and service dates on a single sheet.
- Register EPIRB/PLB and ensure radios have the correct MMSI and functioning DSC if fitted.
- Arrange servicing for liferaft and extinguishers where recommended and record dates.
- Run a crew briefing and at least one practical drill relevant to your next trip; repeat the drill before any offshore passage.