Life preservers, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits are certainly important parts of keeping yacht trips safe, but they aren’t all the safety equipment you’ll need. Joshua Kerrigan advises having the following onboard, as well.
Sound-making items. Whether to signal your presence and intentions to other crafts or to make noise in the event of an emergency, horns, bells, whistles, and similar devices are extremely important.
Visual distress signals. Flares, lights, and other distress signals that are visible during both the light hours and at night are extremely important, especially for those who take long distance trips over open water. Joshua Kerrigan and his staff have an extensive supply of distress materials that their clients can choose from.
Spare parts. Spare pieces for the engine and other systems can mean the difference between your yacht being stranded, and you being able to make a quick repair and get back to shore. If you own a yacht, Joshua Kerrigan highly recommends learning how to do basic maintenance in case you ever have issues while at sea, or at the very least enrolling in a boat towing program.
Communication devices. A mobile phone, radio, or other communication device is a must-have, and Joshua Kerrigan recommends having multiple types on board to cover the eventuality of dead batteries, poor signals, and the like. A communication device is simply common sense: if you become stranded, have a medical emergency, or need any other type of assistance, you’ll need to be able to get in contact with your local authority or any yachting organizations of which you may be a member.
This list is, of course, not exhaustive, and Joshua Kerrigan advises contacting your local yachting organization or other authority to find out exactly what you are required to have onboard your yacht in the eyes of the law.