CHECKLIST

POWERBOAT EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST (UNDER 26 FEET)

Confident and safe boating relies upon the boat and each person aboard being properly equipped. This powerboat equipment checklist (boats over 16 feet and under 26 feet) outlines U.S. Coast Guard minimum requirements and other suggested equipment for boaters and their boat. For more information, please check with local Marine Law Enforcement Authorities and schedule a vessel safety check.

THE BOATER THE BOAT

Federal requirement: Federal requirement:  Life jacket (right size life jacket on  Sound producing device board for each person appropriate − Basic: Whistle for the boating activity) − Upgrade level 1: Handheld air *Please note, many states require a life jacket horn worn for waterskiing or PWC operators and − Upgrade level 2: Electric horn passengers.  Visual distress signals in required jurisdictions (U.S. Coast Guard: A Other essential gear: Boater’s Guide to the Federal  Engine cut-off device Requirements for Recreational  Inflatable re-arming kit (if wearing Boats) inflatable life jacket) − Basic: 3 day/night handheld  Boat shoes flares  Whistle (for life jacket) − Upgrade level 1: 3 day/night  Waterproof flashlight or strobe (for handheld flares, 3 meteor flares, life jacket) 1 orange smoke  Basic handheld VHF-DSC with GPS − Upgrade level 2: SOLAS flares or  Emergency indicating beacon kit, SOS distress light, plus − Basic: Personal Locator Beacon parachute flares, signal mirror, (registered to the boater) day distress flag − Upgrade level 1: Emergency  Throwable flotation Position Indicating Radio Beacon − Basic: Cushion (registered to the boat) − Upgrade level 1: Life ring or  Protective clothing horseshoe  Sunglasses  Fire extinguisher  Sunscreen − Basic: (1) type B-I − Upgrade level 1: (2+) type BC-I, (1+) type BC-II − Upgrade level 2: (2+) type BC-II − Upgrade level 3: (2+) type BC-II and engine compartment fire suppressor  Backfire flame arrestors (required for inboard motor boats)  Ventilation  Navigation lights

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Other essential gear:  Engine cut-off device  Anchor and line (required by some states)  Navigation rules  VHF radio − Basic: USCG Navigation Rules − Basic: Handheld and Regulations Handbook − Upgrade level 1: Fixed VHF-DSC − Upgrade level 1: Wing One- − Upgrade level 2: Fixed VHF-DSC Minute Guide and handheld  Boat hook − Upgrade level 3: VHF-DSC/GPS  Boarding ladder (required by some combo states)  Paddle  Spare parts (engine, propeller,  Bailer or pump (hand or electric batteries) bailer)  Depth sounder  Marine sanitation devices − Basic: Sounder  Dock lines − Upgrade level 1: Chart sounder − Basic: (4) basic laid line and fishfinder − Upgrade level 1: (6+) braided  Radar lines − Basic: 2kw, 18” radome − Upgrade level 2: (6-8) braided − Upgrade level 1: 2k2, 24” radome lines − Upgrade level 2: 4kw, 24”  Boat fenders radome  Compass  AIS − Basic: Handheld − Basic: AIS receiver − Upgrade level 1: 3” fixed front- − Upgrade level 1: AIS receive + reading display − Upgrade level 2: 4” fixed flat card  Water ski or dive flags (required by  GPS some states – deploy flags to − Basic: Handheld indicate a diver location or − Upgrade level 1: Fixed 3-4” waterskiing) chartplotter  Search light (essential for night − Upgrade level 2: Fixed 5-7” boating as long as it doesn’t interfere chartplotter with navrules)  Charts  First aid kit (basic or appropriate for − Basic: Chartbook your destination, such as local, − Upgrade level 1: NOAA charts distance and offshore boating)  Toolbox  Float plans (floatplancentral.org)

Please note, the opinions and recommendations are not necessarily those of the U.S. Coast Guard and National Safe Boating Council, or endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard and National Safe Boating Council.

Updated: March 2017

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