Boating Equipment Essentials

Boating laws require that certain equipment be onboard. If a boat is found to lack these basic items, fines will be assessed to the boat owner. Although penalties, such as fines, might prevent some boaters from driving without the essential boating equipment, safety should be the underlying reason behind following the rules of the water. Below, you will find a list of the essential boating equipment, some are mandatory and some are merely helpful.

Federal Requirements for Boating Equipment:

Registration Papers -- Although technically not a piece of boating equipment, all boaters must carry the boat's state registration and the necessary legal documentation. In addition, the boat owner or operator should have a photo ID available.

Life Jackets - Life jackets or life preservers are essential pieces of boating equipment. There must be a life jacket for each person aboard the boat. The life jackets must fit people of various ages and sizes. For example, a youth life jacket would be an important piece of boating equipment if there were children onboard.

Throwable Flotation Device -- For boats 16 feet or longer, a life ring or other throwable flotation device is an essential piece of boating equipment.

Fire Extinguisher -- Closed engines of fuel takes require a fire extinguisher that is both fully charged and approved by the US Coast Guard. This piece of boating equipment could prove life saving and it may even save your boat if a fire were to occur. Larger boats may require more than one fire extinguisher, check with the federal and state boating law to ensure that you are within the legal bounds.

Visual Distress Signals -- Essential boating equipment for both day and evening excursions, distress signals must have valid expiration dates.

Navigation Lights -- After the sun sets, any boat on the water must have navigation lights as essential pieces of boating equipment. Requirement vary, so check the federal laws to ensure that your lights are legal for the body of water on which you will be boating.

Horn or Whistle -- A horn or a whistle is a mandatory piece of boating equipment. It is a federal law that all boats have a horn or whistle, if they are on federal waters.

Flame Arrestor -- Mandatory boating equipment for power boats.

Other Helpful Boating Gear:

First Aid Kit -- A good first aid kit can save lives. This helpful item of boating equipment should include sunscreen and anti-bacterial ointment, as well as basic first aid supplies such as bandages and gauze.

Tool Kit -- For minor repairs, a tool kit can become an important piece of boating equipment. Items such as a flashlight and new batteries should be found in the tool kit, as well as tools.

Bilge Pump -- In case of a leak, a bilge pump or other dewatering tool can be an important piece of boating equipment.

Marine Radio -- A marine radio should be mandatory for power boat non-power boats alike.

Chart and Compass -- Unless you can see the shoreline, a chart and compass can be essential boating equipment that will give you the ability to plot your course and navigate your way.

Drinking Water and Food -- As with any outdoor adventure, boaters should be prepared. A good supply of water and non-perishable food, (including enough food and water to cover any emergency situations), should be considered essential boating equipment.

Boat Hooks, Boat Anchors, Proper Mooring Lines -- Basic boating equipment for docking your boat and heading out to water is necessary to prevent damage to the boat. Specifically, anchors are most useful in the case of engine failure and hooks will prevent bodily harm during the docking process.

Adequate boating equipment and preparation can ensure that your trip is safe and fun. Boating equipment is well-worth the investment, as it can save your life and your boat.

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