Boating

Check your safety equipment and carry the required quantity. Ensure it is in good condition, of regulation standard and that it is stowed properly.

Know your basic "Rules of the Road" at sea, the International Signals for Distress and other basic signals.

Tell someone where you are going. Before departing, advise a relative or responsible friend of your proposed itinerary and expected time of return and also give them a description of your boat and tell them who is travelling with you.

Check the weather, if in doubt don't go out. 

Before departing check your boat and motor(s) and ensure they are in sound working order and drain plugs are tightly inserted. ALWAYS CARRY SPARES.

Check your fuel. Ensure you have enough for the trip with an adequate reserve for an emergency. Make sure your fuel lines and tanks are in good condition and that they don't leak. It is advisable to always use fresh fuel and keep it in an airtight container.

Carry a chart of the area. Study it and familiarise yourself with positions of the navigational aids and hazards you are likely to encounter.

Don't overload your boat. Distribute weight evenly and use the supplier's recommendations as to the maximum carrying capacity of your vessel.

Carry appropriate tools and spares in case or breakdown:

Keep a good lookout at all times. Proceed with caution in unfamiliar waters.

Excess alcohol and boating don't mix. SLSNT urges all skippers to make the safety of the craft, and the lives of everyone onboard, your top priority.

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Minimum safety requirements

Equipment

1. Pleasure craft under 5 metres in length:
   1. one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board;
   2. two paddles or oars fitted with rowlocks;
   3. one bailer with lanyard;
   4. one anchor fitted with an anchor cable of not less than 50 m;
   5. one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leakproof container;
   6. one waterproof torch or lantern;
   7. two red flares;
   8. two orange smoke signals
2. Pleasure craft of 5 metre to 10 metres in length:
   1. one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board;
   2. one bailer with lanyard or bilge pump;
   3. one anchor fitted with an anchor cable of not less than 50 m;
   4. one portable fire extinguisher; 
   5. one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leak-proof container;
   6. one waterproof torch or lantern;
   7. two red flares; 
   8. two orange smoke signals;
   9. one "V" distress sheet;
   10. one liquid damped compass;
   11. one chart of the area of operation.
3. Pleasure craft of more than 10 metre in length:
   1. one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board; 
   2. one bilge pump with a minimum capacity of 100 L per minute;
   3. two anchors, each fitted to an anchor cable of not less than 50 m;
   4. two portable fire extinguishers; 
   5. two buckets, each of not less than 9 L capacity and fitted with a lanyard;
   6. one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leak-proof container;
   7. one waterproof torch or lantern;
   8. two red flares
   9. two orange smoke signals
   10. one "V" distress sheet;
   11. one liquid damped compass;
   12. one chart of the area of operation;
   13. one lifebuoy fitted with buoyant line.

EPIRB (For all lengths)

One (1) 406MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) must be carried onboard if the vessel is operating outside sheltered waters and more than 2 nautical miles from the coast.