2.2 Your safety bells and whistles on board
To ensure carefree and safe boating, your boat is equipped with different safety fixtures. Familiarize yourself with them before setting off on your voyage for the first time.
There maybe different or additional requirements for safety equipment in your country. In some countries it is a legal requirement to wear a life jacket.
This kind of additional safety equipment is not Saxdor’s responsibility. Also, it is your responsibility to ensure that the equipment complies with local regulations and that these devices are fully functional. If unsure, consult your Saxdor dealer.
Start with the builder’s plate! It contains important safety information, such as maximum load and number of people, which you must abide by at all times.
Your boat comes with emergency exits, a CO detector and space reserved for additional safety equipment. Your Saxdor dealer will help you get the additional safety equipment required in your country, such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Take note that safety the equipment may require periodic service or replacement.
Recommended additional safety equipment:
Cell phone with waterproof case
Spare batteries
Waterproof GPS, VHF radio, EPIRB, compass
Ditch kit, first aid kit
Survival suit, thermal clothing
Emergency food and water
Ring buoy, life jackets, life raft, whistle, mirror, flashlight
Spare anchor and anchor lines, spare mooring and towing lines
Fenders and boat hook
Spare propellers and hardware, spare parts and equipment (pumps, filters, engine oil, fuses) and tool kit.
Life jackets must be stored in an easily accessible location and must be ready for immediate use. Inform all passengers of the location of the safety equipment. Take note that children, disabled people and non-swimmers may need special type of life jackets or special attention and instructions in use of safety equipment. Before setting off, read all necessary instructions provided by life jacket manufacturer.
Risk of drowning.
Neglecting to carry onboard and use life jackets in emergency can cause death and serious injury.
Make sure that your boat is equipped with proper number and type of life jackets.
Make sure that all persons on board, including yourself, are wearing a life jacket at all times.
Larger boat may need a life raft. Always store the life raft in the location designated for it. If there is no specific storage place, store the life raft in unobstructed and accessible area.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for deployment, storage and maintenance.
Before setting off, make sure:
All safety equipment is fully functional and easily accessible.
Everyone on board knows where to find the safety equipment and emergency exits.
Everyone knows how to use the equipment and how to act in an emergency.
Everyone wears a life jacket, even if not required by law.
Maintain your safety equipment
Have the fire extinguisher inspected at the intervals indicated on the device or according to the local legislation. Replace the fire extinguisher if it has been expired.
Risk of fire or explosion.
When replacing parts of the fire-fighting installation only matching components shall be used, bearing the same designation or being equivalent in their technical and fire resistant capabilities.
Test the operation of smoke and CO detectors according to the local legislation.
Your boat is equipped with labels containing important safety information. Make sure:
You and everyone on board understands the meaning of the safety symbols and the texts on the labels.
Everyone obeys the instructions on the labels.