Boating Safety Requirements in New South Wales
Recreational Boating Safety in NSW
Enclosed Waters
All safety equipment must meet minimum standards, be in good working order and be easily accessible
Equipment | Under 5 m | 5-8 m | 8-12m | 12m & above |
| Lifejackets (Approved 1, 2 or 3) | 1 per person | |||
| Paddle or Oars/Rowlocks | Not required if 2 independent means of propulsion fitted | Not Required | ||
| Bucket or Bailer with lanyard attached (Minimum capacity 2 litres) | 1 | |||
| Bucket with lanyard attached (Minimum Capacity 9 litres) | 1 | 2 | ||
| Bilge Pump(s) (Capacity) | Optional or One | One | One | |
| Fire Extinguisher(s) Where any fuel is carried except open vessels under 5m Where propulsion or cooking fuel is carried below deck | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Waterproof Torch | One required if operating between sunset and sunrise | |||
| Anchor, chain/line attached | 1 | 2 | ||
| Lifebuoy with 30m line | Not required on vessels less than 8m | Note: A vessel 8-12m long may carry a buoyant rescue quoit with 15m of line instead of the lifebuoy | 1 | |
| Navigation Lights | Required by all vessels between sunset and sunrise and in restricted visibility | |||
| Sound Signals | An efficient sound signal device | Whistle and bell | ||
Open Waters
(In addition to items listed under Enclosed Waters the following must be carried)
Equipment | Under 5 m | 5-8 m | 8-12m | 12m & above | |
| Lifejackets (Minimum approved 1) | 1 per person | ||||
| Marine radio | Compulsory when operating 2 nautical miles or more off the coast, and recommended when operating within 2 nautical miles | ||||
| EPIRB | Not compulsory but recommended | Compulsory when 2 n. miles or more off coast | |||
| Distress Signals | Red Hand | 2 | 3 | ||
| Orange Smoke | 2 | 3 | |||
| Orange V Sheet | Required on all vessels | ||||
| Fresh Drinking Water | 2 litres per person | ||||
| Appropriate Map or Chart or Area | Required by every vessel - suitable for area | ||||
| Compass | At least one required on every vessel | ||||
| Liferaft or boat | 0 | 1 | |||
| Waterproof Torch | 1 required day and night | ||||
Lifejackets (PFD’s – Personal Floatation Device)
Approved life jackets must be carried on board every vessel unless exempt. Life jackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on any vessel and must be in a good condition and easily accessible.
Type (Cat.) 1 life jackets offer protection from drowning by maintaining a person in a safe floating position in the water, with buoyancy behind the head. They are compulsory for all people on board vessels in the open sea. (However PWC riders may use a type 2).
Type (Cat.) 2 & 3 are suitable for water sports where the rescue time is likely to be short. They are not designed to keep a persons head above water. A key point – Type (Cat.) 1 Lifejackets are and have special buoyancy behind the head to maintain a safe floating position.
If there is a chance you will venture into the open sea in your boat it is often better to buy a Type 1 jacket from the outset rather than having to buy 2 different types.
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| TYPE 1 (Category 1) | Type 2 (Category 2) | Type 3 (Category 3) |
PFD Life Jackets and safety equipment can be purchased through the Yacht and Boat online store
Anchors
Choose the right size and type of anchor for your vessel and the nature of the sea bed. For example, an anchor designed for rocky bottoms will not hold on sand or mud. Always anchor by the bow not the stern, and never anchor in a channel or where submarine cables are signposted.
Bilge Pump
The bilge pump should be protected by a strainer to prevent choking of the pump suction.
Bucket
Depending on the size of the vessel, at least one solidly constructed metal or plastic bucket with 2m rope attached must be carried. As a safety item it is useful for both bailing water out and fighting fires. The bucket can be used as a sea anchor.
Compass and Chart
Any boat operating offshore is required to have a marine compass. Even if your boat is fitted with satellite navigation equipment, a compass will indicate the course back to shore if rain, fog or sea haze obliterates the land from view. An appropriate chart or map that identifies prominent shore marks and offshore reefs and shoals is also required on all vessels offshore. Charts and maps help to determine your position, which can be of particular importance in an emergency.
EPIRB
An EPIRB or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon is a simple and effective alerting and locating device that is compulsory for all vessels 8m or more in length operating more than 2 nautical miles from the shore. However, it is recommended that all vessels venturing offshore carry an EPIRB.
Once activated, an EPIRB transmits a distress signal for at least 48 hours that can detected by satellites and over flying aircraft. EPIRB alerts detected off NSW are passed to RCC Australia who then coordinates a search. A distress beacon’s location can generally be calculated by the satellite system to within a range of 5 kilometres for a 406 MHz and 20 kilometres for a 121.5 MHz beacon. The EPIRB should be accessible but stowed to avoid inadvertent activation. Do not stow it in the bottom of a locker.
It is important to note that the 121.5MHz signal will not be received after FEBRUARY 2009 and will be replaced by 406 MHz digital beacons. Read more.
Flares
Flares signal that you are in trouble and provide an exact location for searching aircraft or vessels. Only ignite them when rescuers are in view and can spot your flare. A minimum of two red hand flares (for night or day use) and two orange smoke flares (for day use) are required to be carried on all vessels operating offshore. It is also recommended that vessels operating offshore or in remote areas carry parachute flares.
You should be able to locate and ignite the correct flare in total darkness. Most flares have a use-by date of three years and they should be replaced before the expiry date.
If your old flares appear to be in good condition keep them onboard as a backup. Once they start to look damaged, enquire with the manufacturer about the best means of disposal. Don’t put them in the garbage or take them to the tip.
Fresh Drinking Water
Two litres of fresh drinking water per person must be carried on all vessels operating offshore.
Lifeboat or Life raft
An inflatable or rigid lifeboat or life raft is a safety device for larger vessels proceeding to sea and is mandatory for vessels of 12 metres and over, but is recommended for any vessel making coastal voyages.
Life buoy
A life buoy or rescue quoit is mandatory for all vessels 8 metres or over on enclosed or open waters.
Marine Radios
Marine radios are compulsory for all vessels operating more than 2 nautical miles out to sea, and are recommended for anyone proceeding offshore. They provide a means of advising shore stations of your itinerary, checking boating weather and navigational warnings and making distress calls.
Marine radios using 27 MHz are relatively cheap and available for general use. A mobile phone does not replace the requirement to carry a marine radio.
Oars and/or Paddle
Oars and/or paddle must be carried on most vessels under 8 metres in length unless a second means of propulsion is fitted. Owners of larger vessels should consider some means of auxiliary power as an effective safety device.
“V” Sheet
The V sheet is a fluorescent orange-red coloured sheet (1.8 x 1.2 metres) with a large black V printed in the middle. V sheets are required to be carried by all vessels operating offshore. They can be spread over the deck of a boat to indicate that you are in trouble or flown as a flag.
Waterproof Torch
A torch is a valuable safety device for signaling and when working on the engine. Spare bulbs and batteries should be carried.
Care of Equipment
Safety equipment is generally durable and long lasting. Keep small storable items like flares, “V” sheet, epirb, torch and other bits and pieces in a sealed waterproof container.
Make sure items like the radio and fire extinguisher are protected from saltwater.
You must look after your lifejackets – don’t use them as cushions or fenders and keep them away from oil and fuel.
Ensure these jackets are accessible in a dry, well ventilated area and let everyone on board know where they are.
Safety equipment can be purchased through the Yacht and Boat online store
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