Safety gear

[Tranona]

Hmmmm. I'm not certain I feel better or worse knowing others also don't carry flares for similar reasons That I don't.

Well, that comes from living in a country where there is still some freedom and you take responsibility for your own action. Always raises doubts, but makes one think rather than blindly following instructions.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Well, that comes from living in a country where there is still some freedom and you take responsibility for your own action. Always raises doubts, but makes one think rather than blindly following instructions.

Yes sailing is the anti nanny state medicine. I like the self reliance, it's me myself I, I take this responsibility seriously.
The self learning is there and a slightly Budhist )self view leads to knowing oneself much better

Another reason I love sailing

 

[William_H]

I would say as a priority a VHF radio. It is not just boat emergencies but health emergencies or you or your crew that might need communication. Yes a mobile phone may be a less useful option.
I would always have a GPS in UK in case of fog or similar loss of visual navigation.
Yes there is not the nanny state mentality in UK compared to Australia but I think the basic safety gear is still important to have.
Perhaps not so much if you sail alone but if you ever take any other people you would want to be able to show that you exercised a duty of care if there was a tragedy and you ended up in a inquest of some sort. Compliance with any recognised standard would be good to be able to claim if that happened. Apart from just good sense. olewill

 

[PabloPicasso]

The two things I do not have are 1 life raft, too expensive, 2 flares.

 

[John the kiwi]

Hi there
NZ Yachting has published this:
http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/sites/yachtingnz/files/YNZ Safety Regulations 1316 FINAL.pdf
Categories are determined by type of use/event.
Though i am not subject to these rules directly, i have used and still do use this as a guide to appropriate safety equipment so on.
For me i am trying to ensure that my boat meets category 3.
Most of us have to prioritise our spending and this helps a lot. I want a safe experience for me and crew, but if i weighed my boat down with all the recommendations for category one, my boat would probably sink!
OTOH this document helps you to see what experts consider important.
Cheers

 

[prr]

Taken as a 'given' that boating safety is good seamanship, and a well maintained boat. What are the essential bits of safety gear that you would always carry/never put to sea without?

I'm guessing for those of us who don't live aboard we're aiming for coastal Sailing and at most a 3 day sea crossing. So perhaps consider safety gear that you'd carry for these types of trips. Thanks

VHS Radio

Life jackets

flares

life bouy + line

anchor + 25m of good rope good enought for towing

radar reflector

powerful hand held torch

first aid kit + sea sickness tablets

 

[prv]

VHS Radio

I think DVD is preferred these days

Pete

 

[laika]

Bungs.

Ideally a wad of twenties no questions asked but wooden ones to match your seacocks are also handy.

And fire blanket near the galley