Mounting fire extinguishers in a boat is not difficult. The main requirement is that this safety equipment is installed near potential fire hazards, is visible, and is easily accessible onboard. A boat fire extinguisher will hopefully never be used, and they can be disposed of at the end of the vessel’s life. However, if needed…
Life jackets last approximately ten years. This is the average lifespan of a life jacket, be it foam or inflatable. However, several factors may hamper your ability to keep your life vest for as long as you anticipated. They are vital aboard any maritime vessel. Knowing how to look after your life jackets and when…
It is great fun being on the water and an excellent way to increase your fitness and enjoy hours of quality time with the family. But if you don’t exercise safety precautions and do not use the correct life jackets, boating activities such as kayaking, rafting, and other water sports can be dangerous. Nine out…
When it comes to your child’s safety in the water, whether it be sailing, cruising, or chartering, you want the best gear on the market to keep them safe. As a professional yacht officer of 10 years, the boats I have worked on have had their fair share of child life jackets. These recommendations are…
If lifejackets are not taken care of, they can become dysfunctional, and their performance is affected. In addition, they can become unsafe to rely on as personal flotation devices should you end up in the water, creating a dangerous situation. You need to have complete confidence and rely on your lifejacket to fulfill its purpose:…
A personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket that is well cared for can last many years, but how do you know if it’s time to replace it? Generally, a PFD or lifejacket with rips, cuts, or tears must be replaced. A foam lifejacket should also be replaced if it has areas that are compressed or…
This article is designed to help you choose the most suitable life jacket appropriate for your activities on the water. I break down the factors that must be considered and provide a list to help narrow down the selection. With all the different categories and types, choosing an appropriate life jacket is akin to walking…
How long can you survive in the open water? Well, how long a person can survive in the open water is determined by several things. For one, people stranded on a boat or life raft can survive several days longer than the poor souls stuck in the water with just a life jacket. The supplies…
The best place to store life jackets and PFDs is on the top deck of a boat in storage bags and marine nets underneath T-tops and hard tops, in clear carry bags or boat kits, and storage nets affixed to the hull, bow, or cockpit on the top deck. Life jackets and Personal Flotation Devices…
While the best thing to do is discard your torn life jacket and replace it, this isn’t always possible. You may need to save up or wait for the trip to end before you can get a new one. Whichever dilemma pertains to your situation, it is always good to have a plan B. Any…