Boating Safety Gear – What You Need and What to Know

Boat Safety Gear Guide for BC Boaters — Dry Dock Marine Lake Cowichan

Spring is here on the south coast of BC and boating season is just around the corner. Before you launch, now is the perfect time to check your boat safety gear in BC. Is everything clean, dry, and meeting Transport Canada regulations? Let’s walk through it together.

PFDs — Do You Have Enough?

A Transport Canada approved PFD for every person onboard is mandatory. Keep an adult universal PFD for the full capacity of your boat. In addition, children and infants must wear a properly fitted PFD at all times on the dock or onboard. Having a few spares is always a smart idea.

Fenders & Dock Lines

Inspect your fenders for cracking or deterioration. Are they still firm? Check all fender and dock lines for wear or damage. At the end of each season, wipe fenders with soapy water and hang lines to dry before stowing. As a result, your gear stays mold-free and odour-free all season long.

Sound Signalling Devices

You must have a whistle or air horn onboard. If using a refillable air horn, ensure it is fully charged. Keep the hand pump onboard as a backup.

Test your nav lights before every season. Replace any burnt incandescent bulbs and keep spares onboard. Navigation lights are required between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility.

Flares & Flashlights

Canadian Coast Guard recognizes flares for 4 years from manufacturing date. Replace expired flares immediately. Furthermore, test your watertight flashlight and keep spare batteries onboard — authorities will check both during a safety inspection.

👉 Safe Boating Guide — Transport Canada

Heaving Line

A 15m floating heaving line is required. Keep it accessible for man-overboard situations.

Bailer or Manual Bilge Pump

Smaller vessels use a bailer; larger boats benefit from a hand pump. Having both onboard is ideal.

👉 Pro Tip: The Scotty Small Vessel Safety Kit combines a bailer, heaving line, whistle and flashlight in one compact package.

Paddles & Anchor

Inspect your anchor rode for damage and check shackle pins are tight. Pro Tip: Thread stainless steel wire through the shackle pin eye to prevent it from unscrewing over time.

Class 5BC Fire Extinguisher

Required on any boat with an inboard engine, fixed fuel tank, or fuel-burning appliance. Mount it in an easily accessible location. Pro Tip: Tap the bottom of the canister with a rubber mallet at the start and end of each season to loosen the dry chemical and keep the gauge reading full longer.