Schedule 5 Minimum safety equipment to be carried on recreational vessels

(Clause 84)

Part 1 General requirements for safety equipment

Key. 

(B1):  To be provided on vessels with covered bilges or closed under-floor compartments other than airtight void spaces. For all other vessels a bailer is to be carried.

(B2):  Is to be capable of draining each compartment (other than airtight void spaces). May require more than one bilge pump to be fitted.

(F1):  All vessels with an electric start motor, gas installation, fuel stove or battery.

(F2):  At least one. More are to be carried if potential sources of fire and the size of the vessel require it.

(P1):  Paddles or oars/rowlocks are to be carried on boats under 6 metres in length unless a second means of propulsion is fitted.

Part 2 Modified requirements for specified vessels

1   Modified requirements for safety equipment in relation to sailing vessels

(1)  A sailing vessel, less than 6 metres in length and operating on enclosed waters, is not required to carry an anchor.

(2)  A sailing vessel with a permanently enclosed, self draining hull is not required to carry a bucket or bailer.

(3)  A sailing vessel engaged in a sail training session organised by a club, school or other similar organisation is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1 if a power driven vessel, capable of use for rescue purposes, is in attendance.

2   Modified safety equipment requirements for certain vessels less than 6 metres

(1)  A vessel of less than 6 metres in length, with two or more independent means of propulsion, is not required to carry a paddle or a pair of oars.

(2)  For the purposes of subclause (1), two or more sails, are considered to be one means of propulsion.

3   Modified safety equipment requirements for tenders

A tender is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1 if the tender carries the following safety equipment:

(a)  a paddle or a pair of oars,

(b)  a waterproof torch if operating between sunset and sunrise,

(c)  a bucket, bailer or bilge pump.

4   Modified safety equipment requirements for personal watercraft, kayaks and canoes on open waters

A personal watercraft, kayak or canoe (other than an outrigger canoe) on open waters is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1.

5   Modified safety equipment requirements for rowboats, dinghies and inflatable boats

A row boat, dinghy or inflatable boat is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1 if the vessel is:

(a)  less than 3 metres in length, and

(b)  not a tender, and

(c)  not carrying an engine or fuel, and

(d)  not more than 200 metres from the nearest shore, and

(e)  operating between sunrise and sunset, and

(f)  operating on enclosed waters, and

(g)  built so as to float if swamped or capsized.

6   Modified safety equipment requirements for off-the-beach vessels

An off-the-beach vessel is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1 if the vessel does not have sufficient storage room to carry the safety equipment specified in that Part in relation to the vessel.

7   Modified safety equipment requirements for outrigger canoes

(1)  An outrigger canoe is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1 while operating on open waters if:

(a)  each person on board has undergone a safety drill in respect of possible emergencies arising on the vessel, and

(b)  the vessel is operating between sunrise and sunset, and

(c)  (Repealed)

(d)  the vessel is built so as to float if swamped or capsized, and

(e)  the vessel is returned to shore or a safe haven if the weather or water conditions become, or are predicted to become, unsuitable for canoeing, and

(f)  the vessel is carrying the following equipment:

(i)  an appropriate lifejacket for each person on board,

(ii)  flares or a mobile telephone (in a water tight container),

(iii)  if the vessel is an OC4 or OC6 outrigger canoe:

(A)  at least 2 buckets (bailers) with a lanyard attached to each, and

(B)  at least one spare paddle, and

(C)  a rope of at least 25 metres in length and 12 millimetres in diameter of the type known as “silver rope”, securely attached to the forward canoe spreader or lashing point (the “wae”) for towing,

(iv)  if the vessel is an OC1 or OC2 outrigger canoe, a leg rope.

(2)  An outrigger canoe is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1 while operating on enclosed waters if:

(a)  each person on board has undergone a safety drill in respect of possible emergencies arising on the vessel, and

(b)  the vessel is displaying a white strobe light on a one metre pole or 2 fixed white lights, one mounted at each end of the canoe, when operating between sunset and sunrise if that vessel is an OC4 or OC6 outrigger canoe, and

(c)  the vessel has 1 all round white light affixed to the highest point of the vessel, when operating between sunset and sunrise, if that vessel is an OC1 or OC2 outrigger canoe, and

(d)  the vessel is built so as to float if swamped or capsized, and

(e)  the vessel is returned to shore or a safe haven if the weather or water conditions become, or are predicted to become, unsuitable for canoeing, and

(f)  the vessel is carrying the following equipment:

(i)  an appropriate lifejacket for each person on board,

(ii)  flares or a mobile telephone (in a water tight container), where the vessel is operating between sunset and sunrise,

(iii)  if the vessel is an OC4 or OC6 outrigger canoe:

(A)  at least 2 buckets (bailers) with a lanyard attached to each, and

(B)  at least one spare paddle, and

(C)  a rope of at least 25 metres in length and 12 millimetres in diameter of the type known as “silver rope”, securely attached to the forward canoe spreader or lashing point (the “wae”) for towing,

(iv)  if the vessel is an OC1 or OC2 outrigger canoe, a leg rope.

8   Modified safety equipment requirements for dragon boats in enclosed waters

A dragon boat is not required to carry safety equipment specified in Part 1 while operating on enclosed waters if:

(a)  each person on board has undergone a safety drill in respect of possible emergencies arising on the vessel, and

(b)  the vessel is displaying appropriate lights when operating between sunset and sunrise, and

(c)  the vessel is operating not more than 400 metres from the nearest shore, and

(d)  the vessel is built so as to float if swamped or capsized, and

(e)  the vessel is returned to shore or a safe haven if the weather or water conditions become, or are predicted to become, unsuitable for boating, and

(f)  the vessel is not rowed in the middle of a channel and is rowed on the starboard side (bow side) of the channel, and

(g)  the vessel is carrying the following equipment:

(i)  at least 1 bucket (bailer) with a lanyard attached,

(ii)  (Repealed)

(iii)  a rope of at least 25 metres in length and 12 millimetres in diameter of the type known as “silver rope”, securely attached to the dragon boat for towing,

(iv)  flares or a mobile telephone (in a water tight container) when the vessel is operating between sunset and sunrise.