8 Boat safety equipment checklist You Should Know

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

A correctly sized, serviceable lifejacket for each person on board is unequivocally the most crucial item on any boat. Its job is simple: keep you afloat if you end up in the water.

Types and Selection

• Traditional foam PFDs: reliable, low-maintenance, inherently buoyant, no action required to work. A good default for children.
• Inflatable PFDs: compact and comfortable for all-day wear. Automatic models inflate on submersion; manual ones need a pull cord. Both need regular checks of the CO2 cartridge and firing mechanism.

Practical Tips

• Fit is paramount: too large and it slips off in the water, too small and it can't provide adequate buoyancy. Always try before you buy, and use a crotch strap for children.
• Inspect regularly: check at the start of every season and before each trip for rips, tears or degradation. On inflatables, confirm the status indicator is green.
• Choose bright colours: red, orange or yellow dramatically improve visibility to rescuers in the water.

Marine VHF Radio

A marine VHF radio far outperforms a mobile phone for genuine emergency communication. Channel 16, the international distress frequency, is monitored around the clock, so a call for help can be heard even out of mobile coverage.

• Fixed-mount radios: permanently installed, up to 25 watts, with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and the greatest range.
• Handheld radios: portable, 1-6 watts typically, ideal for smaller boats, a backup unit, or a tender.

Get your MMSI: registering your boat for a Maritime Mobile Service Identity number enables DSC, letting you send a digital distress alert with your GPS position at the push of one button. For the licensing requirements and the full "two ways to call for help" rule, see our Boat Safety Checklist. Browse our marine communications range for VHF radios suited to NZ conditions.

Flares and Visual Distress Signals

Visual distress signals make your position known to rescuers on other boats, on shore or in the air. Not mandatory for all recreational vessels, but strongly recommended, and required for commercial operation or venturing a certain distance offshore.

Types

• Pyrotechnic flares: handheld red for short-range pinpointing, rocket-propelled parachute flares for long-range alerting, orange smoke for daytime use.
• Non-pyrotechnic devices (VDS): LED flares can flash SOS patterns for hours and are reusable; signal mirrors and high-visibility distress flags are other options.

Practical Tips

• Check expiry dates: pyrotechnic flares have a shelf life of roughly three years, check annually and replace as needed.
• Store properly: a dedicated, waterproof container, dry and easily accessible in an emergency.
• Dispose safely: never in general rubbish or the water. Contact your local council or maritime authority for hazardous waste disposal.
• Read instructions first: aim handheld flares downwind and away from yourself, the vessel and other people.

Fire Extinguishers

Marine environments present unique fire risks, flammable liquids and electrical systems chief among them. Marine-grade extinguishers use corrosion-resistant components and agents that won't damage sensitive electronics. In NZ, the common type for recreational boats is Dry Powder ABE, rated for solids, flammable liquids and electrical fires.

Check the pressure gauge monthly, mount extinguishers near hazards like the galley or helm but never directly over them, and teach everyone onboard the P.A.S.S. technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side. For the full pre-departure fire-check routine, see our Boat Safety Checklist.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

Your final line of communication in a grave and imminent danger situation, especially beyond VHF or mobile range. Activated, an EPIRB transmits a 406 MHz signal to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, relayed to the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) to trigger a search and rescue response.

• Manual activation: a person physically activates it, suited to smaller vessels or a grab bag setup.
• Automatic activation: housed in a hydrostatic release unit that releases the beacon at depth if the vessel sinks, common on larger and commercial vessels.

Registration with RCCNZ is mandatory, mount it with a clear view of the sky, and test the self-test function monthly. See our EPIRB buyer's guide and the Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1, one of our smallest NZ-registered options.

First Aid Kit

Professional help can be hours away on the water. A marine-specific kit is curated for maritime injuries, fish hook wounds, rope burns, hypothermia, severe sunburn, and stored in a waterproof, durable container.

• Inshore/day-trip kits: a basic but comprehensive kit covering cuts, scrapes, stings and minor burns is usually sufficient.
• Coastal/offshore kits: a more advanced kit covering fractures, severe bleeding and prolonged illness, matched to Maritime NZ guidelines for your operational area and crew size.

Get marine-specific first aid training through NZ Red Cross or Coastguard Boating Education, audit the kit each season, and pair it with a reliable communication device for offshore trips so you can consult medical professionals if needed.

Sound Signalling Devices

Horns and whistles signal your intentions to other vessels and alert others in reduced visibility. Maritime NZ rules require every vessel to carry an efficient sound signalling device, with type and power depending on boat size.

• Air horns: portable, loud, no reliance on the boat's electrical system, suitable as primary on smaller boats or backup on larger ones.
• Electric horns: typically on vessels over 12 metres, wired in, ideally with a manual backup.
• Whistles: a pea-less safety whistle attached to your lifejacket is an essential personal item.

Learn the basic sound signals under maritime collision regulations, test your horn before every trip, and keep the control easily accessible from the helm.

Emergency Lighting

Reliable illumination matters for navigation, onboard repairs and signalling once darkness falls or the primary electrical system fails.

• Waterproof LED flashlights: look for a high IP rating like IPX7 or IPX8, functional even fully submerged.
• Hands-free headlamps: invaluable for engine repairs or handling gear at night.
• Emergency strobe lights: attached to a PFD, visible from a considerable distance to search and rescue teams.

Never rely on a single flashlight, distribute several around the vessel. Use quality lithium batteries for better cold-weather performance, and secure each light with a lanyard so you don't lose it overboard.