It is said that "worst things happen at sea" and this holds true for safety. You don't need to worry about the safety of your equipment when you are miles from shore or in extreme weather conditions. Before setting sail, it is crucial to ensure that your equipment is in top condition and of the highest quality.
Maritime Questions And Answers - There are many products that can be used to protect marine life from danger. Marine safety equipment is required by law at places such as oil rigs, docks, and on all seagoing craft, whether they are for leisure or business.
The life jacket is the most important and obvious piece of marine safety equipment in any seafarers kit. The life jacket can help save lives by allowing assisted floating, regardless of how rough or strong the current. No boat or marine installation should have a lack of life jackets.
There are many styles of life jackets, from standard foam floatation devices to gas activated jackets that inflate when they come into contact with water. A simple foam jacket is sufficient for leisure boating, but professional life jackets are available for marine welders and hard-wearing naval jackets.
Other essential safety equipment include items like distress flares, fire extinguishers, and fog horns. Life buoys and throwlines are vital equipment for any vessel, coastal or seagoing.
Life rafts are required for larger vessels that can hold such equipment. These rafts can be used by 4-12 people or more. Life rafts are required for passengers and crew on cruise liners, container ships, oil rigs, and tankers. Pre-fabricated life rafts can be purchased with solid hulls, or with self-activating craft that 'unpack' when in contact with water. These lifeboats are often found on vessels with limited space, such as pleasure boats and naval craft.
You will need to service your marine safety equipment regularly to make sure it remains in good condition. This applies to all equipment, from liferafts to flares and fire extinguishers.
It is essential to have quality marine safety equipment. Although the initial cost might seem prohibitive, you will never regret having reliable and high-quality equipment in your hands when you most need it. It is important to know if there is a local service network for an item like a liferaft. Many sailors will choose to buy items that are cheaper in the moment, such as from far away places. However, there is very little service in their country.
It is a mistake to buy cheap marine safety gear. When you choose your equipment, make sure it comes from a trusted and reputable supplier. Also ensure that the equipment is certified and tested.