Safety Equipment

Every boat must carry safety equipment suitable for its size and the waters where it is used. On this page, the 'coast' means the coast of the South Australian mainland and Kangaroo Island.

The operator has a duty of care for their own safety, the vessel, and the safety of people who may be affected by their actions. This includes carrying additional safety equipment suitable for their boating activity, based on:

  • the type of vessel they are operating
  • the area of operation
  • expected water and weather conditions
  • the personal requirements of each passenger.

The safety equipment must be in good working order, readily accessible, and protected from water and weather.

Some items of safety equipment carried on the vessel have an expiry date as a renewal reminder to ensure the equipment will work when needed, which may include life-threatening circumstances. Stickers are available from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to remind boaters of the safety equipment they must carry and to record the expiry dates.

Recreational Vessel Under 8 Metres

  • PFD for each Person - Level 100 or above.
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Anchor with chain and rope
  • Fire bucket with lanyard
  • Bailing bucket with lanyard
  • Bilge pump
  • Water proof buoyant torch or lantern
  • Red hand held flares and orange smoke signals
  • Compass
  • 4 litres of fresh water
  • Marine radio
  • 406Mhz EPIRB
  • V sheet
  • 2 x Rocket parachute flares (if vessel > 10 nm from coast)
  • Navigation chart (if vessel > 10 nm from coast)

 

  • PFD for each Person - Level 50S or above.
  • Fire extinguisher 
  • Anchor with chain and rope
  • Fire bucket with lanyard
  • Bailing bucket with lanyard
  • Water proof buoyant torch or lantern
  • Red hand held flares and orange smoke signals
  • Pair of paddles or oars (If vessel is under 6 metres.) or auxiliary propulsion.

  • PFD for each Person - Level 50S or above.
  • Fire extinguisher 
  • Anchor with chain and rope
  • Fire bucket with lanyard
  • Bailing bucket with lanyard
  • Water proof buoyant torch or lantern
  • Red hand held flares and orange smoke signals
  • Pair of paddles or oars (If vessel is under 6 metres.) or auxiliary propulsion.

Recreational Vessel 8 Metres and Over

  • PFD for each Person - Level 100 or above.
  • 2 x Fire extinguisher
  • 2 suitable anchor with chain and rope
  • Fire bucket with lanyard
  • 2 x Bailing buckets with lanyard
  • Bilge pump
  • Water proof buoyant torch or lantern
  • Red hand held flares and orange smoke signals
  • Compass
  • 4 litres of fresh water
  • Marine radio
  • 406Mhz EPIRB
  • Life-buoy with line
  • V sheet
  • 2 x Rocket parachute flares (if vessel > 10 nm from coast)
  • Navigation chart (if vessel > 10 nm from coast)

  • PFD for each Person - Level 50S or above.
  • Fire extinguisher
  • 2 Anchors with chain and rope
  • Fire bucket with lanyard
  • 2 x Bailing bucket with lanyard
  • Bilge pump
  • Water proof buoyant torch or lantern
  • Red hand held flares and orange smoke signals
  • Life-buoy with line

  • PFD for each Person - Level 50S or above.
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Anchor with chain and rope
  • Fire bucket with lanyard
  • 2 x Bailing bucket with lanyard
  • Bilge pump
  • Water proof buoyant torch or lantern
  • Life-buoy with line