Boat Safety Equipment

Here I put together a list of the boat safety equipment I have on my boat. I might go a little overboard on safety because I love taking my boat offshore and my wife is a safety freak and better be safe than sorry. Thanks to Good I haven’t have to use a lot of the stuff but I have done extensive research before buying everything on this list.

First aid kit

Boating is super fun, no doubt about it, but sometimes accidents happen. Especially if like us, you do a lot of your boating with kids onboard. This is why it is extremely important to have a good first aid kit on your boat.

My wife did a bunch of research, and she recommends the Surviveware small first aid kit (affiliate link to amazon). The bag is water-resistant, and all the items inside are also packed in waterproof zip-top bags. This makes it a great first aid kit for a marine environment. 

Life jacket

This one is a no brainer, you need life jackets for you and everyone on your boat. I think these inflatable life jackets are fantastic. They are incredibly comfortable to wear, and they don’t take up much space in your boat (storage can be challenging on boats). And of course, it is U.S. Coast Guard-approved. The slim design of the life jackets allows you to move freely as opposed to conventional life jackets.

VHF Marine Radio

If you do any can of offshore fishing or make any long trips on your boat (like going to the Bahamas), you definitely need a good VHF radio. I went with the ICOM IC-M400BB Icom IC-M400BB Modular VHF Marine Radio (link to amazon). This radio works really well and comes equipped wi a 10w amplifier, class D DSC and NMEA interface, among other features. I picked this one mainly because of its design, it is perfect for boats that need a VHF radio but don’t have much room in the helm. I installed mine on one of the boat’s compartments. It is entirely out of the way, then ran the provided cable to the helm. It is very convenient and doesn’t clog the console or get in the way.

  • Output Power:25W
  • Hailer/PA:10W PA
  • Horn/Foghorn:Built-in
  • Waterproof Fating:IPX7 (Radio and microphone)
  • Versions:Radio with HM195B
  • Radio with HM195SW

To get the most out of your new VHF radio, you must get a good antenna. I got the SHAKESPEARE–Mariner 8500 8′ 6dB VHF Antenna(affiliate link). I chose this antenna because it’s High-end features on a mid-priced antenna make this an exciting choice for onboard communications systems. 6dB end-fed 1/2-wave antenna in an 8′ foot length whip with brass and copper elements, chrome-plated brass ferrule, and the durable high-gloss polyurethane finish that makes the Mariner 8500 long-lasting and sleek.

I also carry on my boat a handheld VHF marine radio as a backup. I got the Standard Horizon HX870 (link to amazon). It has a very long-range, GPS and a panic distress button for emergencies. As a bonus, we use to communicate in the Bahamas

GPS tracker

I purchased this Garmin inReach SE+ (link to amazon) before my second trip to the Bahamas. And let me tell you, I would not go out on my boat again without it. This little device connects trough satélite, which means that you are connected virtually any ware. You can send and receive text and even post on social media. One of the best features is that you can share your location with family or friends. This way, they can track your movement and make sure you get to your destination safely.

Here are the features provided by Garmin.

  • Rugged handheld satellite communicators enable two-way text messaging via 100% global Iridium® satellite network (satellite subscription required)
  • Trigger an interactive SOS to the 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center
  • Track and share your location with family and friends
  • Pair with compatible mobile devices using the free Earthmate® app for access to downloadable maps¹, U.S. NOAA charts, color aerial imagery and more
  • inReach Explorer+ device adds preloaded DeLorme® TOPO maps with onscreen GPS routing plus a built-in digital compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer

Binoculars 

Let’s be honest binoculars are just fun to have. Besides being fun they can come in handy when boating. It can help you spot storms ahead if you don’t have a radar on your boat. It can help you look ahead if you are going to a busy dock to ensure there is room for you before you get there. If there is an accident and someone goes overboard, you can use your binoculars to help you find them. 

Flashlight 

If you do any kind of boating at night, it is a good idea to have a flashlight handy. It can get very dark in the water and very difficult to find stuff on your boat if you don’t have a light. I got this very inexpensive one from amazon. It is very durable, bright, and floats in the water. It only requires 3 AAA batteries and can run 8 hours on new batteries.

Emergency kit

I have on my boat my own “homemade” emergency kit that includes all the essential stuff you would need in case of an emergency. I keep my emergency kit accessible for anyone to grab and also let everyone that comes on my boat where the emergency it is. By having this kit as a bundle in one location, it makes it easy for anyone to grab if needed. Here is a list of my emergency kit

A wise man told me to keep a snorkel mask handy in case I had to inspect any damage to the boat underwater or cut a piece of rope tangled up in the prop. I hadn’t had to use it jet, but it gives me peace of mind.

Extra prop

I recommend you figure out what kind of prop your boat uses and go and buy a spare on to keep on your boat. Props are inexpensive, usually between $100 to $200, and having a spare one on your boat can save the day. You can hit a piece of wood or deberé floating in the water and brake your prop living you stranded. If you have a spare prop, you can put on your snorkel mask and replace the prop in no time and continue on with your day.