Article by nos4r2
Original Article


Everyone on board should have a life jacket and should be wearing it. They aren't expensive and may well save a life.
You will need a flare pack. Go to a proper chandlers, tell them what boat you have and what you plan to use it for then ask what they recommend. Make sure your flare pack is within it's expiry date.
Get the best VHF radio you can afford. Steer clear of handheld VHF sets unless it's the only option you have due to the layout of your boat-but if you do buy a handhold be aware that their range is somewhat limited. Unless you have a marine radio license don't transmit on it unless you need to call for help-you might get fined but it's better than being dead. Monitor channel 16 and the local coastguard channel-use channel 16 for emergencies only. If you've got a license you'll know the correct procedures anyway but if you haven't that is as much as you need. remember that when you transmit (button on side of microphone) then you can't receive at the same time so don't talk over the person who you're calling-he won't be able to hear you at all until he stops transmitting.Mobile phones don't always work on the water-have one as backup but seal it in plastic so it doesn't get wet. If it does work it takes a lot longer to speak to the local coastguard via mobile than via VHF.
GPS is a very useful tool to have onboard-it means that if you're in trouble you can tell the coastguard/lifeboat/helicopter exactly where you are to within a few yards. Handheld sets are fairly cheap but they do use a lot of batteries so make sure you have a spare set.The best bet is a fixed GPS set, but they aren't cheap.They are also very useful for finding fishing marks!
Get an auxiliary outboard as backup. A good size for an auxiliary engine is up to 4m boat 4hp. After that add 2hp per metre of boat length and round it up to the next available engine size. For example a 7m boat would need a 12hp auxiliary to be adequate. Run it every time you go out and get it serviced with the main engine.
Get one that has its own tank and uses the same fuel/tank fitment as your main engine if possible-or get one with an inbuilt tank that uses the same fuel as your main engine.
Carry a set of paddles. You'll be surprised how useful they are.
If you have removable tanks, carry 2. Carry at least 3 times the fuel you need to get to where you're going to fish work on the rule 1/3 out, 2/3 back and you should always have enough fuel to get home.
When you buy an anchor, buy the next size up to the one recommended for your boat size if you plan to anchor in anything other than flat calm. Use 2m of chain minimum on it (but preferably the length of your boat or more if fishing in tidal flow/rough water) before the anchor rope-it 'll hold better that way. Use 3 times the depth of water in rope to anchor with.
Carry a method of bailing out water just in case. A bucket will do, but a bilge pump and a bucket are better.