Anchors Away!

Boating safely means having the right equipment on board for all emergencies, big and small.

• Basic First Aid – Maintain a first aid kit stocked with basic supplies (gauze, bandages, alcohol cleaning pads, aspirin, etc.).
• Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) – The U.S. Coast Guard and/or state laws require you to have an approved PFD (also called life jackets and life vests) when you are in a boat, and that boat must carry one PFD for each passenger on board. Certain types of boats must also have a cushion or ring that can be thrown to a person in the water. Learn about the BoatUS Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Program.
• Signaling Devices – Keep day and nighttime signaling devices on your boat including a sound maker, horn or whistle, distress flag, flares and/or a fog system.
• Fire Extinguisher – You must have a fire extinguisher with you while you’re on the water. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s an essential item to keep close at hand should a fire ignite in the engine, galley or on the grill.
• Boat Anchor – To keep from running aground in bad weather or as a result of engine failure, every boat needs an adequate anchor. Read more in our Anchoringsection.
• Tow Ropes & Dock Lines – Make sure you have an extra tow rope in case you or another boater is stranded and needs a lift. Dock lines also come in handy when you need to tie up to someone’s pier.
• Marine VHF Radio & Cell Phone – Keep a VHF radio on your boat at all times and bring your cell phone along too. Read our Emergency Protocolsection for instructions on how to call for help.