The Boating Safety Code serves as a quick reminder of the key points.

• Checklist of Essential Equipment – Before you head out on the water, make sure you’ve got all the right gear, by checking out this list of essential equipment
• Life Jackets – Safe enjoyable boating means taking and wearing your life jackets as the unexpected can happen so quickly.
• Check your batteries and get your engine serviced – Time spent now could save you headaches later. A few quick checks and some basic maintenance, such as replacing old fuel, can make all the difference to the outcome on the water.
• Skipper Responsibility – Every skipper has both a legal and moral responsibility for everyone aboard.

• Communications:
  • Key things to do to stay in touch and call for help if you need it – including major changes to VHF channels on 1 October 2016
  • Get a VHF Callsign and check your details are correct – A VHF Callsign is a unique identifier that holds key information about your vessel and emergency contact. It’s used in an emergency and also with Coastguard Radio when logging a Trip Report or Bar Crossing. Obtain a VHF Callsign or check and update your details.
  • Log a Trip Report or make a Bar Crossing Report – Getting in touch with Coastguard Radio when you hit the water and again when you’re back at base is a great way to let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to be back. That information, along with the number of people on-board, means that in the event we need to search for you, the search area is dramatically reduced and we can find you that bit quicker.