Safety Equipment

The most important items on your vessel are your safety equipment. Without the proper safety equipment and the knowledge to use it, what started out to be an enjoyable day on the water could end up being a disaster.

There is no shortage of safety products on the market. Some items are suitable for use on a vessel and some are not. While there are thousands of safety products offered for sale, not all of them can withstand the marine environment. The moisture and motion that these devices are subjected to can have a direct impact their shelf life and overall condition. Also, during use, certain types of products are more effective in marine applications than others.

The United States Coast Guard reviews marine safety products to determine their onboard suitability and to ensure their effectiveness in an emergency on the water. When you shop for marine safety equipment, it is important to determine whether the U.S. Coast Guard has approved each product for use aboard a boat. The instructions for use with Coast Guard Approved equipment will be specific to marine applications, as opposed to use on land.

An example of how you could make a mistake with the wrong product is with distress flares. A "road flare," that you may keep in a car or a truck, may not be manufactured or packaged to withstand the moisture level on the average boat. Should you mistakenly purchase road flares for use in an emergency on your boat, you might find that they don't light when you need them. The onboard conditions that they are subjected to may deteriorate a flare that would otherwise have no problem in the trunk of your car.

In the case of life preservers, which we call "personal flotation devices," the marine application varies from that of a "swimming pool." The flotation equipment on the market for use by young children in swimming pools may be adequate for that purpose. If you add the ocean surf, a three foot chop or a strong current to the situation, such products may prove to be inadequate.

Fire extinguishers are another concern. In addition to the extinguishing agent itself, the container, the valve and the hardware components can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. All of these components must be able to withstand the marine environment.

There are various "classes" of fire to consider (Class A, B, C, etc.). There are extinguishing agents that are more effective on some classes of fire than others. The right combination of hardware and extinguishing agent will do the job, while others will not.

The "Coast Guard Approval" standard is there to assist the boating public in purchasing the right equipment for the job. Given the established standard, you can expect a Coast Guard Approved product to remain in good condition while stored and to save your life as a result of proper use.

I advise you to inspect your onboard safety equipment and to make sure that it is "Coast Guard Approved." Since some equipment has a shelf life, check the dates for expiration. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!