A lifejacket buried under a wet towel, a flat torch battery or an EPIRB nobody has checked since last season can turn a manageable incident into a serious one. This marine safety equipment checklist is designed to help Australian boat operators make a proper pre-departure inspection, not simply tick boxes because the gear is somewhere on board.
For Coxswain and Master candidates, this is also practical assessment knowledge. An AMSA assessor may ask what equipment is required, how it is maintained, where it is stowed and what you would do if it failed. The strongest answer connects the equipment to the situation, the vessel’s area of operation and the people on board.
Start with the voyage, vessel and operating area
There is no single equipment list that suits every vessel. Minimum carriage requirements can change according to the state or territory, vessel length, distance offshore, operational area, whether the vessel is recreational or commercial, and the number of persons carried. A tinny on a sheltered river has different risks from a charter vessel operating offshore or a workboat travelling between remote ports.
Before checking individual items, establish where you are going, how long you expect to be away, the forecast, likely communications coverage and your closest places of refuge. For a commercial vessel, also check the applicable survey requirements, safety management system and any vessel-specific equipment schedule. The legal minimum is the starting point. A sensible operator considers what may be needed if the trip takes longer, the weather deteriorates or assistance is delayed.
Marine safety equipment checklist before departure
A practical inspection is best done in the same order each time. That reduces the chance of overlooking gear when the crew are loading stores, passengers are arriving and the departure time is approaching.
Lifejackets and personal flotation equipment
Confirm there is an approved lifejacket for every person on board, in the right size and suitable for the conditions. Check that each jacket is immediately accessible, not locked in a compartment or hidden beneath cargo. If inflatable lifejackets are carried, inspect the cylinder, firing mechanism, indicator and service date in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
For commercial operations, crew should know when lifejackets must be worn, not merely where they are stored. Consider the job being performed: transferring personnel, working on an open deck, handling lines, bar crossings and night operations all change the risk. A jacket that is technically on board but not worn when the situation demands it is of little use.
Distress signals, EPIRB and communications
Check the vessel’s required distress signals are in date, dry and protected from damage. Crew need to understand the difference between a signal intended to attract visual attention and a distress alert that communicates position to search and rescue authorities.
An EPIRB should be correctly registered, within its battery expiry period and mounted or stowed where it can be reached quickly in an emergency. If the vessel has a personal locator beacon, make sure the person carrying it knows how to activate it and that its registration is current. Do not conduct a full activation test unless the manufacturer’s procedure specifically permits it.
Test the VHF or other fitted radio before leaving, including power supply, antenna connection and correct channel selection. A radio check is worthwhile, but it is not enough to know that the unit switches on. The operator should be able to make a distress, urgency and safety call, give the vessel’s position, and maintain a listening watch where required. Mobile coverage can be useful close to shore, but it is not a substitute for suitable marine communications offshore.
Firefighting equipment and fuel safety
Inspect fire extinguishers for correct type, serviceability, mounting and accessibility. Check pressure indicators where fitted, service tags and signs of corrosion, damage or discharge. An extinguisher stored behind loose gear or requiring a crew member to search through a locker will cost valuable time.
Look beyond the extinguisher itself. Check fuel lines, shut-off valves, ventilation, bilge cleanliness and battery isolation arrangements. A strong fire response begins with prevention and early detection. Crew should know how to stop fuel supply, isolate electrical power where safe to do so, raise the alarm and direct people to a safe location.
If the vessel has a fixed firefighting system, emergency pump or fire detection arrangement, inspect it as part of the normal routine. Candidates preparing for an oral assessment should be ready to explain the limitations of extinguishing media. Water is not the right first choice for every fire, particularly where fuel or energised electrical equipment is involved.
Bilge, flooding and damage control gear
A flooding emergency is often won or lost in the first few minutes. Check bilge pumps operate, suction points are clear and discharge outlets are unobstructed. Test both automatic and manual arrangements where fitted, and ensure any portable pump is accessible with suitable hose and power available.
Keep a means of damage control on board appropriate to the vessel. This may include bungs, softwood plugs, patches, collision mats, hose clamps, tools and materials for temporary repairs. Check through-hull fittings, sea cocks and hoses for leaks, cracking or corrosion. Every crew member should know where the sea cocks are and which way to operate them.
A good question to ask before departure is simple: if water starts entering the vessel, who will raise the alarm, who will look for the source, who will start pumping and who will communicate the emergency? Assigning those roles early makes a real difference when people are under pressure.
Navigation lights, sound signals and emergency lighting
Navigation lights should be checked before night operations, restricted visibility or an early departure. Confirm the correct lights work, are visible, and have not been obscured by covers, equipment or accumulated salt. Carry spare globes only where they suit the fitted system, and ensure there is an alternative light source if the vessel loses main power.
Test the horn, whistle or other sound signalling appliance. It is a basic item, but it remains important when visibility is poor or when warning another vessel of danger. A powerful waterproof torch, preferably with spare batteries or an independent charging source, assists with signalling, inspection and abandonment preparations.
First aid, survival and crew welfare
Inspect the first aid kit for completeness, expiry dates and water damage. The right kit depends on the operation, crew size, remoteness and likely injuries, but it should be easy to reach and clearly marked. Consider sea sickness, dehydration, heat stress, cuts, burns and hypothermia, even in Australian waters.
Check drinking water, food, thermal protection and shelter against the expected voyage and the realistic possibility of delay. On a remote run, extra water and communications redundancy may be more valuable than another convenience item. If children, older passengers or inexperienced crew are on board, allow for their needs rather than assuming everyone can manage independently.
Stowage matters as much as carriage
Safety gear must survive the conditions and be available at the moment it is needed. Stow items in marked locations, protect them from spray and fuel contamination, and make sure heavy equipment cannot become a projectile in rough weather. Emergency equipment should not depend on one person knowing a secret locker arrangement.
Run through the locations with crew before departure. Show them lifejackets, EPIRB, radio, first aid kit, fire extinguishers, bilge controls and emergency exits. On a commercial vessel, this should support the vessel’s induction and emergency procedures. On a recreational boat, a brief and calm safety talk may prevent panic later.
Turn the checklist into operational confidence
The best pre-departure check is active. Rather than asking, “Do we have an EPIRB?”, ask, “Where is it, is it in date, who can activate it, and what information will we pass by radio first?” That approach builds the judgement expected of a competent Coxswain or Master.
Keep a written record where your operation requires it, especially for equipment servicing, drills, defects and corrective action. If an item is expired, damaged or missing, deal with it before departure or reassess whether the voyage should proceed. Borrowing gear at the last minute may meet a number on a list, but it can create unfamiliarity and poor stowage.
For candidates returning to study after time at sea, emergency equipment questions can feel deceptively simple. They are rarely just about naming an item. They test whether you can assess risk, lead a crew and make sound decisions when normal systems fail. Practise explaining each item out loud in relation to your own vessel and operational area.
A well-maintained boat is safer, but a prepared operator is safer still. Make the inspection routine enough that you can complete it calmly before every trip, then use your knowledge to look after the people who trust you to bring them home.