{"id":74,"date":"2015-02-12T00:51:42","date_gmt":"2015-02-12T05:51:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/?post_type=article&#038;p=74"},"modified":"2020-04-02T17:01:33","modified_gmt":"2020-04-02T17:01:33","slug":"boat-safety-equipment-gear","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/article\/boat-safety-equipment-gear\/","title":{"rendered":"Boat Safety Equipment &amp; Gear"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Boat Safety Equipment Requirements in Canada<\/h2>\n<p>Part of being a smart boater is fully understanding the boat&nbsp;safety equipment that is required onboard and knowing how to use it. Having the right equipment on board is one of the most important things you can do to ensure you are boating safely (right after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsmart.com\/register\/1\/10\/ca\/en?_ga=1.188018664.1122205750.1467660861\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">getting your boating license<\/a>)!<\/p>\n<p>The <a title=\"Boating Laws in Canada\" href=\"\/article\/boating-laws-canada\/\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\"><em>Small Vessel Regulations<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;(part of the&nbsp;<em>Canada Shipping Act, 2001)<\/em>&nbsp;outline the minimum mandatory boat safety&nbsp;equipment that must be carried on board your boat.&nbsp;If you operate a power boat that does not have the required safety equipment, or if your boat isn\u2019t in good working order you are breaking the law.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/BoatSafetyEquipmentHero-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-607\" data-original=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/BoatSafetyEquipmentHero-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Boat Safety Equipment\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The type of safety equipment required will vary depending on the&nbsp;type and size of your boat. <strong>The&nbsp;<em>Small Vessel Regulations<\/em>&nbsp;require your safety equipment to be:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In good working order<\/li>\n<li>Regularly maintained<\/li>\n<li>Replaced in accordance with the manufacturer\u2019s instructions<\/li>\n<li>Readily accessible for immediate use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Types of Boat Safety Equipment<\/h2>\n<p>There are four main types of boating safety equipment required in Canada:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#personalequipmentsafety\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">1. Personal Safety Equipment<br \/>\n<\/a><a href=\"\/article\/boating-safety-equipment-canada\/\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">2. Boat Safety Equipment<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/article\/distress-equipment-requirements-for-boats\/\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">3. Distress Equipment<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/article\/navigation-equipment-requirements-for-boats\/\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">4. Navigation Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"personalequipmentsafety\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll take a closer look at each one of these in detail- let\u2019s start with personal safety equipment.<\/p>\n<h2>Personal Safety Equipment<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/PersonalSafetyEquipment-01-22.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1331 size-large\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/PersonalSafetyEquipment-01-22-1024x656.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/PersonalSafetyEquipment-01-22-1024x656.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/PersonalSafetyEquipment-01-22-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Your Personal Safety Equipment must be carried onboard at all times. This includes life jackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) as well as a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.boatsmartmarine.com\/collections\/retail\/products\/rescue-throw-bag\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">buoyant heaving line<\/a>.&nbsp;It\u2019s important that as a boat operator, you don\u2019t only have these on board but that you show your passengers how to use them. Everyone should be prepared in the event of an emergency. Be sure to check your personal safety equipment before and after every trip to ensure it will work properly when needed.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #808080\">Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Similar to a seat belt in your car, your life jacket or PFD won\u2019t work unless you wear it. All boaters should wear a flotation device at all times when in and around water, not just when operating or riding in a boat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Safe Boating Tip:<\/strong> More than 90 percent of people who drowned while boating were not wearing a life jacket or PFD.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/ApprovedFlotationDevicesNotHero-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-609\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/ApprovedFlotationDevicesNotHero-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Lifejacket and Personal Flotation Device\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Wearing a Canadian-approved, properly fitted flotation device will greatly reduce the risk of accidental drowning. In fact, statistics show that most small craft operators who drown are often within sight of a potential rescuer and would likely have been saved had they just remained afloat a few moments longer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>There are three main types of Canadian-approved flotation devices:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Life Jackets<\/li>\n<li>Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)<\/li>\n<li>Inflatable PFDs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.net\/embed\/iframe\/hn6u0bk9au?dnt=1&#038;popover=true\" class=\"wistia-popover[height=393,playerColor=7b796a,width=699]\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/embed-ssl.wistia.com\/deliveries\/b1d7f9779aed0feb5057775a01494cc0b962e098.jpg?image_play_button=true&#038;image_play_button_color=7b796ae0&#038;image_crop_resized=600x338\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><script charset=\"ISO-8859-1\" src=\"\/\/fast.wistia.com\/assets\/external\/popover-v1.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Canadian-approved flotation devices have a label or stamp indicating approval by Transport Canada or by the Canadian Coast Guard. Check to see if yours is approved and be aware that not all PFDs are Canadian-approved (like some wakeboard vests). Also, keep in mind that the approval status of a life jacket or PFD is void if it has been damaged, altered, repaired or if the label or stamp indicating approval is illegible. If ripped or damaged, replace your flotation device immediately.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #808080\">Buoyant Heaving Line<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The second necessity that&#8217;s part of your personal safety equipment is a <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2acbEmX\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">buoyant heaving line<\/a>. This is designed to throw overboard to rescue a person from the water. Some heaving lines are light and can be more difficult to throw long distances. Using a <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2acbEmX\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">buoyant heaving line<\/a> equipped with a throw container (a weighted plastic shell or bag at one end) will enable you to throw with less difficulty.<a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/scene3-01-2.jpg\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1343 size-large\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/scene3-01-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/scene3-01-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/scene3-01-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/scene3-01-2.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The&nbsp;<em>Small Vessel Regulations<\/em>&nbsp;require that&nbsp;buoyant heaving lines be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2acbEmX\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">At least&nbsp;15 m in length<\/a> for all boats under 24 m in length<\/li>\n<li>Readily accessible in case of emergency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Emergency Kit<\/h3>\n<p>Although not required as part of your personal safety equipment, boat operators are encouraged to carry an emergency kit on their boat at all times. The kit should be stored in a watertight plastic bag and should include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Emergency food and drinking water<\/li>\n<li>A first aid kit<\/li>\n<li>Waterproof matches<\/li>\n<li>A waterproof flashlight<\/li>\n<li>A knife<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2a8Vv3m\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">A whistle<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Dry clothing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/EmergencyKitHero-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-611\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/EmergencyKitHero-2-1024x593.jpg\" alt=\"Boating Emergency Kit\" width=\"700\" height=\"405\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to Safety Equipment and boating, feel free to take your time and check your list off item by item.&nbsp;&nbsp;We want to be sure you\u2019re prepared for any boating trip you might take! If you\u2019re ever unsure as to what you need onboard with you when it comes to safety equipment, refer to our online boating course for details.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you&#8217;re knowledgeable of Personal Safety Equipment, let&#8217;s talk about the second category, <a href=\"\/article\/boating-safety-equipment-canada\/\" style=\"color: #3366bb !important\">Boat Safety Equipment<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","article-category":[8],"article-tag":[173,212,33,91,104,126,147,165],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Boat Safety Equipment and Gear<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understand the different types of boat safety equipment required onboard your boat, including flotation devices, buoyant heaving lines and emergency kits.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/article\/boat-safety-equipment-gear\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Boat Safety Equipment and Gear\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understand the different types of boat safety equipment required onboard your boat, including flotation devices, buoyant heaving lines and emergency kits.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/article\/boat-safety-equipment-gear\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BOATsmart! 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