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As summer kicks off we find ourselves spending more and more time on the Big Rideau Lake! We should make sure we have the right safety equipment on board. Safety equipment varies with the size of the boat. The first step in making sure you are prepared is to check the expiry date on all your equipment. Make sure you have a current fire extinguisher, current flares, and your life jackets do not have tears or missing parts. Read the instructions on your equipment and make sure you know how use it properly and it can be located easily on your boat. Your flashlight must have working batteries at all times! Keep extras on board or check regularly to make sure they are working.
The following is list of required equipment to ensure you have a safe summer boating!
Minimum requirements for boats less than 20 ft. include:
- A life jacket for each person. The life jacket must be Canadian Coast Guard approved
- A heaving line at least 15 meters long
- A paddle or an anchor with a line
- A flashlight with working batteries
- Reboarding device (ie; ladder)
- Hand bailer or manual bailer
- A noise making device (whistle or fog horn)
- Working navigation lights on front and back of your boat
- if you don’t have a flashlight you need 3 flares type A, B or C
- A fire extinguisher
Additional requirements for boats 20-30ft:
- A life buoy
- 6 flares AND a working flashlight
- An additional fire extinguisher for the cabin
Additional requirements for 30-40ft:
- Anchor with 100ft of line
- 12 flares
- A compass
- Two larger fire extinguishers (Cabin and deck)
Make sure you have the minimum requirements in your boat this season!
For more information check out Safe Boating Canada and Transport Canada!
