Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
At the top of every boat safety equipment list sits the lifejacket, and for good reason. It's designed to keep a person afloat and buy crucial time for rescue, even if they're unconscious or injured.
What the Law Actually Requires Right Now
Maritime Rule Part 91 sets the national baseline: you must carry a correctly sized, serviceable lifejacket for every person on board, and it's the skipper's legal responsibility to ensure lifejackets are worn in situations of heightened risk, such as crossing a bar, in rough water, during an emergency, or by non-swimmers. That's the floor, not the whole picture.
Many regional councils go further through their own bylaws. Northland, Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato, among others, already require lifejackets to be worn at all times on vessels 6 metres or under when underway, not just carried. Check your local regional council's navigation safety bylaw, since assuming the national minimum applies everywhere is a genuine trap.
Choosing the Right PFD
- Recreational boating and fishing: foam vests from brands like Hutchwilco and Crewsaver offer durable, comfortable, all-day wear.
- Offshore and coastal racing: inflatable PFDs with integrated harnesses from Spinlock and Baltic suit rougher conditions and active sailing.
- Kayaking and paddle craft: specialty kayak PFDs with high-cut torsos and large armholes allow unrestricted paddling motion.
Keeping It Working
- Wear it, don't stow it: conditions change in minutes, and there's rarely time to find and fit a stowed jacket once things go wrong.
- Check inflatables before every trip: confirm the gas cylinder is full and correctly screwed in, and check the firing mechanism's expiry date.
- Fit matters: a correctly fitted lifejacket should be snug enough that you can't lift it up over your chin.
- Practise deploying an inflatable in a controlled setting like a pool, so the first time isn't in an actual emergency.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Once you're beyond mobile coverage and out of VHF range of a coastal station, an EPIRB is your most reliable connection to search and rescue. Activated, it transmits a 406 MHz signal to the international Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, relaying your beacon ID and GPS location to rescue coordination centres, anywhere in the world.
EPIRB vs PLB
An EPIRB is registered to the vessel and built for the marine environment, often with automatic activation on immersion. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is registered to a person instead, and is more common on smaller craft, kayaks, or as personal backup. Both work on the same Cospas-Sarsat system.
Choosing the Right Beacon
- Recreational and coastal cruising: GPS-equipped, manually activated beacons suit near-shore adventures well.
- Commercial and offshore vessels: automatic-activation Category 1 beacons, housed in a dedicated bracket, deploy and activate on their own if the vessel sinks.
Keeping It Ready
- Register it and keep details current: your EPIRB must be registered with the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), with accurate contact and vessel details. This is a legal requirement and critical for a swift response.
- Mount for access: an easily reached spot near the helm, with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky for automatic models.
- Test, don't activate: use the monthly self-test function to check battery and transmitter function. Never activate the beacon outside a genuine emergency.
- GPS-enabled models cut search time significantly compared to non-GPS beacons, which rely on satellite Doppler positioning and a wider search radius.
For more on choosing the right device, see our personal locator beacon hire and supply page.
Marine VHF Radio
A marine VHF radio is your most crucial communication tool on the water, far more reliable than a mobile phone once you're offshore. It enables direct communication with other vessels, marinas, and Coastguard radio operators on internationally designated maritime frequencies.
DSC Changes the Equation
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) means one press of the distress button sends an automated alert carrying your vessel's identity and GPS position to every similarly equipped radio and Coastguard station in range, removing the ambiguity of a voice call in a genuine emergency.
Fixed-Mount vs Handheld
- Fixed-mount: permanently installed, wired to the vessel's battery, ideal for trailer boats and launches.
- Handheld: self-contained and battery-powered, ideal for tenders, kayaks, or as a backup in a grab bag.
Getting the Setup Right
- Install the antenna as high as practical, since a higher antenna directly increases your range.
- Program your MMSI number so your DSC radio is actually useful in a distress call, not just a voice radio.
- Monitor Channel 16 whenever you're not actively using another channel.
- Learn proper radio etiquette, including Mayday, Pan-Pan and Sécurité calls, and the phonetic alphabet for your vessel name and call sign.
For a full breakdown of licensing, channels and choosing the right unit, see our VHF marine radio guide, or browse our maritime and fishing communications range.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire on board escalates fast, with fuel, electrical systems and flammable materials often in close quarters. Carrying at least one approved fire extinguisher is a legal requirement for most powered vessels in New Zealand.
Get the Rating Right for NZ, Not the US
This is worth being precise about. New Zealand and Australia classify fire types under AS/NZS 1841, which is different from the US system you'll see referenced on many overseas boating sites. In the AS/NZS system, Class B covers flammable liquids and Class C covers flammable gases, not electrical fires. Electrical fire capability is usually indicated separately (often marked "E"). A standard marine ABE dry powder extinguisher covers Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids) and electrical fires, which is why ABE-rated units are the common all-rounder choice for NZ boats. Buying to a US-labelled spec can leave you with the wrong rating for what you actually need to fight on board.
Where Different Types Suit
- Engine compartment: an automatic fire suppression system provides ongoing protection, discharging automatically at high temperature.
- Galley and cabin: a 1kg or 2.5kg ABE dry powder extinguisher handles cooking, wiring, and general fires.
- Near electronics: ABE powder remains the common all-rounder near nav stations, though some operators prefer CO2 near sensitive electrical gear.
Keeping It Ready
- Know the PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.
- Check the gauge monthly and confirm it's still in the green zone.
- Carry more than one on larger boats, positioned at opposite ends so a fire blocking one still leaves the other accessible.
- Service on schedule per the manufacturer's date and any applicable AS/NZS servicing interval, rather than assuming it's fine indefinitely.
Visual Distress Signals
When radio communication fails or isn't available, visual distress signals become your primary way to attract attention. Carrying appropriate signals is a legal requirement for vessels venturing beyond sheltered waters.
Pyrotechnic vs Electronic
- Pyrotechnic flares: red handheld flares for short-range day or night use, parachute flares for long-distance night signalling, and orange smoke for daytime visibility.
- Electronic (eVDS): reusable, SOLAS-approved electronic flares, often paired with a daytime distress flag to meet requirements.
Keeping Them Ready
- Check expiry dates: pyrotechnic flares typically last around three years. Replace them before each season, since out-of-date flares are unreliable.
- Store in a waterproof, accessible container, ideally in a buoyant grab bag.
- Use orange smoke by day, red flares by night, and only when there's a genuine chance of being seen, since your supply is limited.
- Carry a mix of pyrotechnic and electronic signals for the best of both.
Sound Signalling Device
In fog, rain, or heavy traffic, what you can't see matters as much as what you can. A sound signal, whether horn or whistle, communicates your intentions and warns other vessels under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).
Matching the Device to Your Vessel
- Small craft and tenders: a gas-powered air horn or high-decibel pea-less whistle is usually sufficient.
- Recreational powerboats: 12-volt electric horns give convenient, one-touch signalling from the helm.
- Larger and commercial vessels: permanently installed, more powerful horn systems meet the standards required for long-distance audibility.
Know the Signals
One short blast means altering course to starboard, two short blasts means altering to port, and five or more short blasts signals danger or uncertainty about another vessel's intentions. In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way must sound one prolonged blast at intervals of no more than two minutes.
First Aid Kit
A standard household first aid kit isn't built for the marine environment, where you may be hours from professional medical help and the damp, corrosive conditions on a boat degrade poorly packaged supplies fast.
Matching the Kit to the Trip
- Small day boats and tenders: a compact waterproof kit covering minor wounds, stings and seasickness is generally sufficient.
- Coastal cruising and fishing: a more comprehensive marine-specific kit with supplies for wound closure and burns.
- Offshore and extended voyages: a commercial-grade kit with suturing supplies, splints and a wider range of medications, reflecting extended time away from care.
Keeping It Useful
- Audit every six months: check expiration dates and replace anything used, expired, or water-damaged.
- Customise for your crew: add personal medications, allergy treatments like an EpiPen, or extra supplies for children.
- Include emergency information: a waterproof card with emergency contacts and crew allergies or conditions.
- Get trained: a marine-specific first aid course through Coastguard Boating Education or St John gives you the confidence to actually use what's in the kit.
The 7-Item List at a Glance
| Item | Legal Status in NZ | Check How Often | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFD / Lifejacket | Carry always; wear required in many bylaws and heightened-risk situations | Every trip | Every vessel, every person aboard |
| EPIRB | Required registration with RCCNZ; recommended offshore | Monthly self-test | Vessels beyond mobile/VHF range |
| Marine VHF Radio | Operator certificate and ship's licence required to transmit | Before every trip | Any vessel leaving sheltered waters |
| Fire Extinguisher | Required on most powered vessels | Monthly gauge check | All powered boats |
| Visual Distress Signals | Required beyond sheltered waters | Before each season (expiry) | Coastal and offshore vessels |
| Sound Signalling Device | Required, efficient means mandated | Before every trip | All vessels, especially in fog |
| First Aid Kit | Not separately mandated, but expected best practice | Every six months | All vessels |
From a Checklist to a Habit
Owning this gear is only half the job. An EPIRB with a flat battery, a fire extinguisher nobody's checked in two years, or a VHF radio nobody on board knows how to use, are all just weight in a locker. Run a full seasonal audit, keep everything in clearly marked, genuinely accessible spots, and practise using it, not just owning it.
File a trip report with Coastguard NZ before you head out, whether by app or VHF radio. It's one of the simplest, most effective safety actions available, and it ensures someone knows to raise the alarm if you're overdue.
