Whether fishing a mile from the beach or overnighting in the canyons, once we leave the dock, we’re at the mercy of the elements. Mother Nature is unpredictable, and even if the forecast calls for glass-calm seas and clear blue skies, you must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. And with more boats than ever pursuing tuna and other pelagic species offshore, it’s good to have a gear checklist that can help your own passengers, or the passengers of other vessels, in the event of an emergency. For National Safe Boating Week, we put together a list of essential boat fishing safety items that every angler should have on hand when it comes time to push off.
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The captain or operator of a vessel is required to have properly fitted and U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices (PFDs) for every person on board. They should be readily accessible in the event of an emergency if not worn at all times, especially by children and non-swimmers. Double check that you have the appropriate sizes for each passenger before departing the dock, because a PFD that’s too big (or too small) is equivalent to having no PFD at all.
Equally as important as keeping your passengers safe is keeping a comprehensive first aid kit tailored for boating. Most marine first aid kits include items to treat common injuries like cuts, scrapes, burns and the occasional hook wound, as well as seasickness medication and sunscreen, so it is imperative to keep these items in a dry, accessible place. The Marine 600 First Aid Kit, for example, helps to keep first aid items organized and safe from the salty elements in a durable and waterproof dry box. VHF Marine Radio
A handheld or fixed-mount VHF marine radio is a necessity for making distress calls, communicating with other boats and, in the event of an emergency, the Coast Guard. Additionally, carrying a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof case can be a useful back up tool.
It’s easy to lose your bearings on the open ocean, especially during long, overnight offshore trips. With reliable navigation equipment and nautical charts of the area available at your disposal, it’s much easier to plan, plot and charter a safe route even if visibility is lacking. As a last resort, in the event that electronics fail, keep a magnetic compass to ensure you can find your way back to port, or the nearest, safest place to make landfall.
Captains must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher on board. Make sure it is properly maintained and easily accessible, especially in the engine compartment or galley area. Many fire extinguishers, like the Mariner 110, come with a polymer mounting bracket to keep it secure and within reach of the captain or passengers during transit.
Once you’ve called the Coast Guard or tow services using your marine VHF radio, if necessary or requested, utilize any U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals, whether it be flares, signal mirrors, or an orange distress flag, to attract attention in case of emergency. The Orion Blue Water Alert Locate Kit contains six 12-gauge red aerial signals that reach altitudes up to 500 feet, three eco-friendly red handheld flares, a safety launcher with a hammer safety lock and a lifetime warranty, one orange smoke signal, and a safety manual, all of which exceed Coast Guard requirements for brightness and burn time. The kit is even packed into a floating orange foam bag to keep you ready for anything in the event of an emergency.
Emergency Horn or Rescue Whistle
If visibility is extremely low, flares and rescue signals will not do the trick. To combat low visibility from fog or storms, it’s wise to keep a selection of whistles, horns, or bells on hand to signal your presence to other boats and rescue services. A loud air horn can typically be heard over the hum of most outboard engines in close enough proximity.
If and when your air horn runs out of propellent, keep in mind, your lungs are the next best audible signal. A pair of safety whistles with a convenient lanyard allows you to keep one on your person, while a back up whistle can be stowed away in case one is misplaced.
An appropriately sized fluke anchor will ensure you can secure your boat in case of engine failure or dangerous, adverse conditions. An anchor will make it easier for Coast Guard or tow services to locate your vessel, just make sure to keep more than enough anchor line handy so you can safely hold bottom in a variety of depths and conditions.
For any scenario when you’re taking on water, an automatic bilge pump will help to minimize damage and reduce water weight at a fast clip. However, if you lose power or your main pump fails, you’ll need a plan B, and it may require a little bit of elbow grease. Rather than converting a bucket to a bailer, opt for pair of manual (hand-operated) bilge pumps as a backup.
Waterproof Flashlight/Headlamp
Even if you plan to fish from daybreak to lunch time, keeping a waterproof flashlight with extra batteries on board at all times is highly recommended; a rechargeable model that also takes batteries is even better. The Float-On model shown above is buoyant, fully-submergible and features a water activated strobe light as a distress signal, and when used as a flashlight for distance, it also provides enough side-light for all-around visibility on deck.
A multi-tool is one of those things you think you don’t need on the water, until you need it. Rather than keeping a heavy toolbox full of loose, clunky items that can be misplaced on board, opt for something like a pocket-sized Leatherman multi-tool, which are made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Whether it’s used for tinkering with the Fishfinder display, cutting line off the prop, or crushing barbs on a treble hook through the hand, a multi-tool can turn a potential emergency return to port into a full day outing.
Any throwable flotation device (like a life ring) will assist in rescuing someone who falls overboard, and they can be mounted and stowed in a convenient location for easy access. But an even safer option than a standard life ring is the Lifesling2 Overboard Rescue System, which can be towed toward the overboard crew member rather than having them swim to it. This keeps the subject away from the hull or propeller, and additionally, the Lifesling2 can be used as a sling to hoist the rescued crew member out of the water in case they are injured, incoherent, or in need of assistance.
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