Boating Safety Equipment Checkup
Spring is an Excellent Time to Check Essential Boat Gear
The following suggestions represent a few of the safety gear items found aboard a safe vessel that should be checked before going out this boating season.
Spring can often be a frustrating time for boaters. While the weather can look inviting at times, it may change at a moment's notice. The first launch of the year doesn't seem to ever come soon enough. One positive action that mariners can take is to check the condition of essential boat safety gear in anticipation of the upcoming boating season. The following articles should be thoroughly inspected as part of any preseason preparation:
Emergency Signals - Most boaters depend on the use of pyrotechnic signals to meet Coast Guard requirements for emergency visual signals. These take the form of meteor, parachute, hand-held, and smoke flares. Pyrotechnics need to be stored in a dry location onboard. Look for water damage and their expiration date when inspecting flares. Another common signaling device is a hand-held air horn that uses a small canister of compressed gas to operate. Check to see that the cylinder is full and consider carrying a spare. Boaters can carry other signals like mirrors and whistles that require minimal maintenance.
VHF Marine Radio - Marine VHF radios represent a superior method of communicating safety concerns with other boaters and rescue agencies like the Coast Guard. After a winter's storage, it is important to check the connection of a radio's antenna, microphone, and power connections for corrosion. During the inspection, ensure the external antenna has not been damaged by transportation or storage covers. Make arrangements to call another boater to see if the installed radio is receiving and transmitting well. Avoid calling the Coast Guard for radio checks. Many boaters pull their radios and electronics out for the winter and take them home for storage.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) - Many recreational boaters have started carrying an EPIRB onboard their boats. These rescue devices are becoming increasingly less expensive and are remarkable lifesavers. While inspecting an EPIRB, check that it's currently registered with NOAA, the battery has not expired, and has no signs of physical damage. Some units use a hydrostatic release to ensure deployment and these releases will bear an expiration date. Many EPIRBs have a self-test switch, read the manufacturer's instructions to learn how to test the unit.
Life Jackets - Lifejackets can become worn from age and use. Check the physical condition of onboard lifejackets for frayed spots, broken buckles or straps, mildew and rips to the fabric covering. Inspect the CO2 cylinders and auto-inflate bobbins used on inflatable lifejackets to be sure they have not been deployed or fired. Check onboard throwable or Type IV PFDs for wear and weathering from the sun. Ring buoys are often damaged by the elements and wildlife.
These suggestions represent a few of the safety gear items that should be found aboard a safe vessel. Many boaters take things one step further and prepare a Ditch Bag that puts essential safety gear immediately at hand for use during a vessel capsize or sinking. The dig bag should be housed in a brightly colored, watertight bag. Items carried could include a knife, line, first-aid kit, survival kit, personal locator beacon, portable VHF marine radio and the like. The ditch bag just needs to small enough to pick up in a hurry and made easily available for access during an emergency.
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