SAFETY EQUIPMENT

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR POWER-DRIVEN VESSELS OPERATING BETWEEN 15 AND 40 NAUTICAL MILES FROM SHORE.

1. South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) approved life jacket for each person on board.
2. Four (4) hand-held red distress flares.
3. Four (4) red rocket parachute flares.
4. One (1) floating orange smoke marker.
5. One (1) sound signalling device (other than a life jacket whistle). Required on vessels operating West of Port Alfred.
6. Radio Communication : Marine VHF Radio – Channel 16 and one (1) other working channel OR 29MHz Radio – channels A, B, and C.
7. Suitable magnetic compass (with which bearings can be taken). Vessels over 9m must have a table of deviations.
8. Suitable approved fire extinguisher – one (1) per engine, serviced annually.
9. Capsize bottle and rope; rope to be a minimum of 1.5 times the vessel’s length (unless a life raft is carried).
10. Two (2) space blankets.
11. One (1) litre of water per person.
12. First Aid kit.
13. Suitable air bellows and repair kit – only on inflatable vessels.
14. Spares and tools.
15. Marking of equipment and trailer.
16. Emergency steering (to be demonstrated) – except when fitted with a tiller arm.
17. Suitable anchor, chain and rope:
    • Vessels 6m and over – minimum 5 metres of chain.
    • Vessels under 6m – minimum 3 metres of chain.
    • Minimum 100 metres of rope.
18. ID sheet. Where the vessel is not of a highly conspicuous colour, a rectangular sheet at least 2m x width of the vessel in orange/yellow.
19. Life Buoy – only on non-planing hulls.
20. Radar Reflector. Minimum 400mm in diameter or equivalent (permanently fitted on vessels 9m or more) West of Port Alfred.
21. Navigation Chart(s) for the area of operation – corrected or renewed every six years.
22. Approved Self-inflating Life Raft. Only if insufficient buoyancy as per regulations for all persons aboard.

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NIGHT OPERATION (Skipper to be night-rated)

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1. Appropriate navigation lights.
2. Waterproof torch with spare batteries and bulb.
3. Illuminated compass.

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR POWER-DRIVEN VESSELS OPERATING BETWEEN 5 AND 15 NAUTICAL MILES FROM SHORE.

1. South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) approved life jacket for each person on board.
2. Two (2) hand-held red distress flares.
3. Two (2) red rocket parachute flares.
4. One (1) floating orange smoke marker.
5. One (1) sound signalling device (other than a life jacket whistle). Required on vessels operating West of Port Alfred.
6. Radio Communication : Marine VHF Radio – Channel 16 and one (1) other working channel OR 29MHz Radio – channels A, B, and C. Mounted radio only.
7. Suitable magnetic compass (with which bearings can be taken). Vessels over 9m must have a table of deviations.
8. Suitable approved fire extinguisher – one (1) per engine, serviced annually.
9. Capsize bottle and rope; rope to be a minimum of 1.5 times the vessel’s length (unless a life raft is carried).
10. Two (2) space blankets.
11. One (1) litre of water per person.
12. First Aid kit.
13. Suitable air bellows and repair kit – only on inflatable vessels.
14. Spares and tools.
15. Marking of equipment and trailer.
16. Emergency steering (to be demonstrated) – except when fitted with a tiller arm.
17. Suitable anchor, chain and rope:
    • Vessels 6m and over – minimum 5 metres of chain.
    • Vessels under 6m – minimum 3 metres of chain.
    • Minimum 100 metres of rope.
18. ID sheet. Where the vessel is not of a highly conspicuous colour, a rectangular sheet at least 2m x width of the vessel in orange/yellow.
19. Radar Reflector. Minimum 400mm in diameter or equivalent (permanently fitted on vessels 9m or more) West of Port Alfred.
20. Approved Self-inflating Life Raft. Only if insufficient buoyancy as per regulations for all persons aboard.

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NIGHT OPERATION (Skipper to be night-rated)

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1. Appropriate navigation lights.
2. Waterproof torch with spare batteries and bulb.
3. Illuminated compass.

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR POWER-DRIVEN VESSELS OPERATING BETWEEN 1 AND 5 NAUTICAL MILES FROM SHORE.

1. South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) approved life jacket for each person on board.
2. Two (2) hand-held red distress flares.
3. Two (2) red rocket parachute flares.
4. One (1) floating orange smoke marker.
5. One (1) sound signalling device (other than a life jacket whistle). Required on vessels operating West of Port Alfred.
6. Radio Communication : Marine VHF Radio – Channel 16 and one (1) other working channel OR 29MHz Radio – channels A, B, and C. VHF 5 Watt hand-held acceptable.
7. Suitable magnetic compass (with which bearings can be taken). Vessels over 9m must have a table of deviations.
8. Suitable approved fire extinguisher – one (1) per engine, serviced annually.
9. Capsize bottle and rope; rope to be a minimum of 1.5 times the vessel’s length.
10. Two (2) space blankets.
11. One (1) litre of water per person.
12. First Aid kit.
13. Suitable air bellows and repair kit – only on inflatable vessels.
14. Spares and tools.
15. Marking of equipment and trailer.
16. Emergency steering (to be demonstrated) – except when fitted with a tiller arm.
17. Two (2) paddles or oars – required only on vessels with a single petrol engine.
18. Suitable anchor, chain and rope:
    • Vessels 6m and over – minimum 5 metres of chain.
    • Vessels under 6m – minimum 3 metres of chain.
    • Minimum 100 metres of rope.
19. ID sheet. Where the vessel is not of a highly conspicuous colour, a rectangular sheet at least 2m x width of the vessel in orange/yellow.
20. A suitable bailer or bucket for vessels with non-self-draining decks.
21. Radar Reflector. Minimum 400mm in diameter or equivalent (permanently fitted on vessels 9m or more) West of Port Alfred.

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NIGHT OPERATION (Skipper to be night-rated)

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1. Appropriate navigation lights.
2. Waterproof torch with spare batteries and bulb.
3. Illuminated compass.

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR POWER-DRIVEN VESSELS OPERATING NOT MORE THAN 1 NAUTICAL MILE FROM SHORE.

1. One (1) flotation aid per person – SABS 1417/1987 approved.
2. One (1) projectile flare set.
3. One (1) hand-held smoke marker.
4. Suitable approved fire extinguisher – one (1) per engine, serviced annually.
5. Two (2) paddles or oars – required only on vessels with a single petrol engine.
6. Capsize bottle and rope; rope to be a minimum of 1.5 times the vessel’s length.
7. Spares and tools.
8. One (1) sound signalling device (other than a life jacket whistle). Required on vessels operating West of Port Alfred.
9. Suitable anchor, chain and rope:
   • Vessels 6m and over – minimum 5 metres of chain.
   • Vessels under 6m – minimum 3 metres of chain.
   • Minimum 100 metres of rope.
10. Marking of equipment and trailer.
11. Emergency steering (to be demonstrated) – except when fitted with a tiller arm.
12. Suitable air bellows and repair kit – only on inflatable vessels.
13. ID sheet. Where the vessel is not of a highly conspicuous colour, a rectangular sheet at least 2m x width of the vessel in orange/yellow.
14. A suitable bailer or bucket for vessels with non-self-draining decks.
15. First Aid kit. Only required on power-driven vessels exceeding 15 hp.

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ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDED

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1. Hand-held compass.
2. Space blanket (can also be used as radar reflector).

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NIGHT OPERATION (Skipper to be night-rated)

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1. Appropriate navigation lights.
2. Waterproof torch with spare batteries and bulb.
3. Illuminated compass.

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR POWER-DRIVEN VESSELS RESTRICTED TO TIDAL WATERS SUCH AS LAGOONS, ESTUARIES, INLAND WATERS, AND HARBOURS

1. One (1) approved life jacket with whistle attached for each person on board.
2. One (1) suitable approved fire extinguisher – one (1) per engine, serviced annually.
3. Suitable paddles or oars – required on vessels with a single petrol engine.
4. Capsize rope plus snap ring; rope to be a minimum of 1.5 times the vessel’s length.
5. Tool Kit, containing at least a plug spanner, two screwdrivers, pliers, water pump pliers, an adjustable wrench, a starter motor cord and a tow rope.
6. Minimum of two (2) litres of fresh water.
7. Suitable anchor, chain and rope:
   • Vessels 6m and over – minimum 5 metres of galvanised chain.
   • Vessels under 6m – minimum 3 metres of galvanised chain.
   • Minimum 50 metres of braided nylon rope.
8. Bow and stern eye.
9. Emergency steering (to be demonstrated) – except when fitted with a tiller arm.
10. Suitable air bellows and repair kit – only on inflatable vessels.
11. South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) approved petrol tanks. Fuel tanks and battery to be in separate compartments.
12. First Aid kit. Only required on power-driven vessels exceeding 15 hp.
13. Spares, including a set of spark plugs, jumper cables and engine fuses.
14. A suitable bailer for vessels with non-self-draining decks.

1. A valid certificate of competency is required.
2. The registration numbers issued must be displayed on both sides of the vessel in a highly visible contrasting colour:
   • Maximum size: 150mm x 25mm
   • Minimum size: 100mm x 20mm
3. The road trailer must be clearly marked with:
   • The owner’s name.
   • The owner’s telephone number.
   • The registration number of the vessel.
4. All safety equipment must be clearly marked with the vessel’s registration number.
5. Cabin boats should have a suitable bilge pump where applicable.
6. For night operations, the vessel must be equipped with navigation lights and an all-round white light (on a separate switch).
7. The vessel must have a minimum buoyancy of 30%, achieved through approved bottles or foam, to enable the crew to hold onto an upturned vessel, which will remain afloat and provide a stable platform.