Aboard and Ready

Equip the people before the lockers

Small boats have limited space, limited carrying capacity and little protection from weather. Buying more equipment is not automatically the safest answer. Start by deciding how people will stay aboard, stay warm, communicate and recover from a problem. Select items appropriate to the vessel, the conditions and the users, then stow them so that weight and access do not create new hazards.

Check the equipment requirements that apply to your boat, flag state and cruising area. This page is a planning framework, not a statutory inventory or a certification that your vessel is ready. Manufacturer instructions, competent training and an assessment of your actual boat should shape the final choices. A device that nobody understands is not a complete solution.

Flotation, clothing and getting back aboard

Choose suitable lifejackets for each person’s size, activity and clothing. Check fit and condition, and follow the manufacturer’s inspection and servicing requirements, particularly for inflatable equipment. Make sure every wearer knows how the jacket operates. Do not assume that an adult item can be adjusted safely for a child or that a buoyancy aid is interchangeable with every lifejacket.

Cold water remains a concern even when the air feels pleasant. Carry clothing that protects against wind and spray, along with dry layers kept in a genuinely waterproof container. Discuss how a person would be located and recovered after falling overboard. A boarding arrangement must be usable from the water, not merely present somewhere on the boat. Practise appropriate recovery procedures in controlled conditions with competent support.

Communication with a realistic backup

A charged mobile phone in a waterproof case can be useful, but coverage, battery life and the ability to operate a wet screen are limitations. Consider suitable marine VHF equipment and learn the correct procedures. Operator certification, licensing and registration requirements depend on the equipment and jurisdiction; confirm them with the relevant authority before use.

Know how to identify your position and communicate the nature of an emergency. Where fitted, understand the setup and operation of DSC equipment, including the vessel identity and position input. Personal locator beacons or other emergency devices may be appropriate for some passages, but require correct registration and knowledge. Do not treat any transmitter as permission to accept conditions beyond your capability.

Navigation that survives a single failure

Prepare a navigation system that does not collapse when one screen gets wet or one battery runs flat. Use current official charts or authorised products, suitable navigation tools and a backup appropriate to the passage. A second app on the same phone is not independent of that phone’s power, damage or loss. Keep equipment protected and test it before leaving the berth.

Record enough information to understand your progress without guessing: departure time, useful position checks and observations of conditions. Learn to relate the chart to real landmarks and navigation marks. Check chart settings, scale and update status rather than assuming that a bright display is showing everything relevant. Skills remain part of the backup system.

Propulsion, anchoring and useful reserves

Inspect fuel systems, engine cooling, electrical connections and batteries as appropriate to the vessel. Plan fuel or energy reserves around realistic consumption in adverse conditions, not only a calm-water estimate. Electric propulsion needs the same conservative approach: wind, load and temperature can affect useful range. Never depend on unconfirmed charging at the destination.

Choose anchoring equipment suitable for the boat and expected seabed, and learn how to deploy and recover it safely. A paddle, oar or alternative means of propulsion may be valuable on some small craft, but only if it can be used effectively. Secure tools and spares, carry items you know how to use, and do not attempt repairs that require skills or safeguards you lack.

Maintenance is a passage habit

Before each trip, look for changes rather than simply repeating a ritual. Unexpected water, a new fuel smell, chafed lines, damaged steering or a weak battery deserves attention before departure. Check bilge arrangements and keep drainage routes clear. Follow the vessel and equipment manuals for scheduled work, and use qualified help for safety-critical defects.

Responsible maintenance also protects the coast. Prevent spills, use approved waste facilities and follow local rules on hull cleaning, coatings and sewage. Avoid releasing paint debris or contaminated wash water. After the trip, rinse and dry suitable equipment, inspect anything that worked hard and note defects while they are fresh. The best preparation for the next passage often happens when this one ends.