Marine Assistance & Log On

The key to safe boating is in preparation, follow these simple steps to help make your day on the water a safe and enjoyable one.

Before Summer

Boat

Check your vessel for signs of corrosion or cracking that could be the start of a much bigger problem.

Engines

Keep your engine serviced. Periodically check the oil & other fluids and carry some basic spares. Make sure that your engine start battery is well charged and consider carrying a jump pack for emergency starts.

Safety Equipment

Make sure you have at least the minimum legally required equipment. What safety equipment do I need?

Keep it easily accessible, in good condition & make sure your flares are in date & 406 EPRIB registered. We strongly recommend EPIRBs that are GPS equipped.

It is also critical that you and your crew are familiar with how the safety equipment operates. For example; every brand of EPIRB is different, and most are not activated by water but must be switched on manually.

Before you leave home

Weather

Always check the boating weather forecast. If in doubt, don’t go out.

Before you hit the water

Fuel

Make sure you have enough fuel for your entire journey. Allow for the unexpected in your calculations, you should aim to use one third to get out to where you are going, one third to get back and one third as contingency. If in doubt, fill it up.

Lifejackets

Make sure you have enough lifejackets for everyone onboard & all crew know how to put them on and use them. Boating accidents can happen quickly so lifejackets should be worn, not stowed.

Passengers

Make sure your passengers are familiar with all safety equipment and that someone else other than the skipper can handle the boat in an emergency.

Once underway

Log On

Always Log On. It’s fast, easy & could be the difference between lost & found. See how to here. Logging on with your local Marine Rescue group is the best way to ensure that action is taken if you don’t come home in time, don’t just leave it your mate or family member to raise the alarm. It’s also a good opportunity to check the operation of your vessel’s radio.

Listen

Keep your marine radio on & switched to the emergency frequency (VHF ch16, 27Mhz ch88). You may be the closest help.