4

Minimum Required Safety Equipment

These are based on the Canadian Yachting Association requirements, but they do not differ much (if at all) for other countries. For now I'm only presenting the minimum required equipment, and soon there will be more necessary equipment for all cruisers (next lesson).  I'll also (in the next classes) provide you with more tips about how to keep yourself safe on the water.

 

VESSEL LENGTH

MINIMUM REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

up to 5.5 m / 18 feet
  • 1 approved lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
  • 2 oars with rowlocks, or 2 paddles
  • 1 hand-held bailer or 1 manual pump
  • 1 Class B-I fire extinguisher
  • lights must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • sound signalling device (eg. fog horn)

between 5.5 m and 8 m / 18 feet and 26 feet
  • 1 approved lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
  • 2 oars with rowlocks, or 2 paddles, or 1 anchor with 15 m / 49.5 feet minimum chain, cable, or rope.
  • 1 hand-held bailer or 1 manual pump
  • 1 Class B-I fire extinguisher
  • lights must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • sound signalling device (eg. fog horn)
  • an approved lifesaving cushion, or a buoyant heaving line (minimum 15 m / 49.5 feet recommended), or life buoy 508 mm, 610 mm, or 762 mm in diameter
  • 3 A, B, or C type distress flares
  • 3 A, B, C, or D type distress flares

between 8 m and 12 m / 26 feet and 39 feet
  • 1 approved lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
  • 1 anchor with 15 m / 49.5 feet minimum chain, cable, or rope
  • 1 hand-held bailer and 1 manual bilge pump
  • 1 Class B-II fire extinguisher
  • lights must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • sound device must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • an approved life buoy 610 mm, or 762 mm in diameter
  • minimum 15 m / 49.5 feet buoyant line
  • 6 A, B, or C type distress flares
  • 6 A, B, C, or D type distress flares

between 12 m and 20 m / 39 feet and 66 feet
  • 1 approved lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
  • 1 anchor with 15 m / 49.5 feet minimum chain, cable, or rope
  • efficient bilge pumping system
  • 2 Class B-II fire extinguishers, one near the sleeping cabin entrance, the other near machinery space entrance
  • additional Class B-II fire extinguisher
  • manual or power fire pump
  • 2 buckets to extinguish fire
  • 1 fire axe
  • lights must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • sound device must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • 1 approved life buoy 762 mm in diameter, or 2 610 mm in diameter
  • minimum 15 m / 49.5 feet buoyant line
  • 6 A, B, or C type distress flares
  • 6 A, B, C, or D type distress flares

more than 20 m / 66 feet
  • 1 approved lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
  • 1 anchor with 15 m / 49.5 feet minimum chain, cable, or rope
  • efficient bilge pumping system
  • 2 Class B-II fire extinguishers, one near the sleeping cabin entrance, the other near machinery space entrance
  • 1 Class A-II fire extinguisher in each sleeping cabin (maximum of three required)
  • power fire pump
  • 4 buckets to extinguish fire
  • 2 fire axes
  • lights must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • sound device must comply with "Collision Regulations"
  • 2 approved life buoys 762 mm in diameter, one must have a self-igniting light
  • minimum 27.5 m / 90.75 feet buoyant line
  • 6 A, B, or C type distress flares
  • 6 A, B, C, or D type distress flares
  • 1 VHF radio telephone installation

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard Safe Boating Guide visit Canadian Coast Guard.

Lesson 5: "Strongly Recommended Equipment for Cruising"

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