There are three venues for boating: offshore coastal and inshore (sometimes called inland). Both powerboats and sailboats have many safety items in common, but the variable is where you boat. Whether you boat only on inland lakes or the Intracoastal Waterway where you never leave sight of land, or you cross oceans, the type of safety gear you carry on board depends on how far you go.
Each safety item listed below in alphabetical order is recommended for any or all of the types of boating as noted. Some are required by the US Coast Guard (USCG). For a complete list refer to MariSafe’s QuickSpec.
Abandon Ship Bag
Offshore and coastal boaters should carry an abandon ship or ditch bag in addition to a liferaft. For contents and the type of bag to purchase, see our Gear Buyer’s Guide to Abandon Ship Bags and Boat Bags.
Anchors
Offshore and coastal boaters should carry at least two, of which at least one is for storm use (60 knot gusts), with nylon rode and chain, swivels and thimbles all rated for the same working load. Inland boaters may carry only one anchor, but two are recommended. (See our Gear Buyer’s Guides on Anchors, and Anchor Rodes and our Gear Owner’s Guide, Chafe Gear).
Audible Signals
Bells and horns per USCG regulations.
Batteries
Spare batteries for all equipment requiring batteries; electronics, lights, etc.
Bilge Pump
- Large capacity (12gpm) manual diaphragm pump; requires no power to operate for both coastal and offshore cruising. (See our Gear Buyer’s Guide, Bilge Pumps)
- High capacity electric or other power-driven pump for coastal and offshore cruising
- Standard electric or manual bilge pump for inland or inshore boating.
Binoculars
Offshore and coastal boaters should carry at least one pair of waterproof binoculars for sighting navigational aids and landmarks. (See our Gear Buyer's Guide, Binoculars)
Bosun’s Chair
All sailboats (See our Gear Owner’s Guide, Safety Aloft).
Buckets
At least one, preferably two, minimum 2.5 gallon buckets with lanyards for backup to the fixed bilge pumps. | 
