For safety's sake, you should always carry a life jacket for each person on the board. A good life jacket consist of a nylon outer covering and obtains its buoyancy from combination of nitrile rubber/P.V.C. foam. In a emergency, follow the manufacturer's fitting instruction and the life jacket will help keep you afloat.

It is important to ensure your vessel is in good order by inspecting the key features of the vessel each time before you leave home or the ramp, mooring or wharf. The major causes of breakdown at sea are engine failure, fuel shortage or contamination, mechanical failure and battery failure.

The vessel checklist:

• On entering the vessel and before operating any switches or engines, check for petrol and/or LPG odours; fix any faults before you go out.
• Ensure the vessel is well ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide build up from exhaust systems.
• Inspect the bilges. If there is more bilge water than usual, find and rectify the fault. Note: when pumping bilges be aware of the environment. Polluting the waterways is an offence.
• Check fuel, engine oil and coolant levels, top up if required. Examine batteries, terminals etc. Do the same for the second engine if carried.
• Fire extinguisher in good condition.
• Ensure there is sufficient fresh water and food for the length of the voyage with some extra in case of emergency.
• Make sure your lights are in working order; it may be a daylight outing, but you could be delayed in returning.
• Fuel should be fresh (not last year’s) and you should have enough fuel for the full trip plus reserve.
• Self-draining holes should be clear.
• Ropes and lines should be in good.

The Maritime Services Board of N.S.W. in association with the N.S.W. Council for Safe Boating lists these ten basic rules:

1. Carry safety equipment
2. Carry approved life jackets
3. Tell someone where you are going
4. Know the rules, local regulations and distress signals
5. Watch the weather
6. Don't overload
7. Carry sufficient fuel and water
8. Guard against fire
9. Ensure engine reliability
10. Don't mix alcohol and boating.

Safety equipment.

In N.S.W. many family boats come under the 'Class A' grouping - boats under 5 metres long, excluding tenders, canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats. Class A is divided into open vessels and Others (those with covering to -more than a quarter of the area between the gunwales).

Open boats up to 5 metres.
In enclosed waters you are required to carry a lifejacket for each person on board, paddle or oars fitted with rowlocks, a 2-litre bucket and line, anchor with line attached and, after sunset, a waterproof torch. In open waters you require in addition, 2 litres of fresh drinking water per person, 2 distress flares and 2 smoke signals (or 2 combined types), a V distress signal sheet, compass, appropriate map or chart.

Other boats up to 5 metres.
The same as for open boats. In addition in open and enclosed waters you are also required to carry a fire extinguisher where any fuel is carried or where propulsion or cooking fuel other than diesel fuel is carried below deck.
Enclosed waters means ports, harbours, havens, rivers, creeks, lakes, estuaries and dams throughout N.S.W.
Open waters comprises navigable waters of the open sea up to 3 nautical miles off the N.S.W. coast.
Since safety requirements differ for boats over 5 metres and from state to state, it is recommended that you check with your State Boating Service to ensure you stay within the law.