Sailing should always be fun, and the best way to ensure friends, family and crew have the best experience possible is to make it safe. Mylor Chandlery have put together some of the absolute essentials for an even greater sail this season...
Life Jacket
Whether your crew or passengers consist of strong swimmers and seasoned seafarers or not, everyone on deck needs a lifejacket. From choppy conditions to on-deck accidents, the point is, you never know what you're going to encounter out at sea. If you're with a mix of adults and children, each jacket will have to properly fit the person it's intended for.
Great lifejackets will be fully adjustable, highly visible and compliant with the safety requirements for personal flotation devices.
At Mylor we stock a wide range of sizes and even options for youngsters too. If you're unsure what's needed for very young passengers, read our '4 Essential Lifejackets For Babies & Young Children' blog post here.
Life Buoy
Make sure you have a minimum of one throwable floatation device such as a durable horseshoe lifebuoy or ring. Although one is ideal, several is better, particularly if you often sail with many passengers.
The Talamex Safety Kit comes with a horseshoe buoy, a throwing line of 30m and a lifebuoy light with CE and Solas.
Fire Extinguisher
For vessels less than 26 feet you'll need a minimum of 1 B-1 fire extinguisher, boats 26 feet to less than 40 feet require either 2 B-1 or 1 B-2 extinguishers and 40 feet to less than 65 feet need 3 B-1 or 2 B-2 fire extinguishers. Any larger boats must meet special requirements and have an integrated extinguishing system on board.
Before you set off, everyone should know how to use the extinguisher and where it's located.
Flares, strobe lights and flags are the three typical visual signalling devices you must have on your boat. Searchlights are also useful to have and will all help when you're in distress or helping someone else who is.
Safety Horns (Sound Signalling)
Fog, electric and safety horns are all necessary to help attract attention in high or low visibility situations.
First Aid Kit
Having a small first aid kit to deal with minor accidents and injuries is another seafaring must-have. Loading up with plasters, bandages, dressings, a pair of scissors, a foil blanket, eye pads and similar items will help you address any less serious incidents that can happen when you're out at sea.
VHF Radio
If you're in major distress, get your hands on the Ocean Signal V100 Gmdss Handheld VHF Radio. Expertly made with a rugged, easy-to-use design, it exceeds the requirements of IMO, SOLAS and GMDSS and comes with 4 scanning modes, 21 simplex channels and a non-hazardous 16 hour battery.
Knife & Multitool
Every sailor needs a high quality folding Myerchin rigging knife and a do-it-all multitool.
Myerchin G2 Crew Wood Handle Folder Rigging Knife comes in either plain or serrated blade options and is crafted from only premium materials that are set to last in salty marine conditions.
The Leatherman Wingman is made from a high-quality stainless steel all-locking body. It includes no less than 14 practical tools including a can opener, wire stripper, 3 different types of screwdriver, wood and metal files and so much more.
A 'Virtually Unbreakable' Torch
Having a torch that can withstand more than a fair share of knocks and drops is a crucial for any boat.
The Coast G30 Torch is a great place to start...
It boasts a powerful 130-metre beam that can go from flood to spotlight with a simple twist. But the best thing is that it's weatherproof and almost unbreakable - this is a torch that won't let you down.
Anchors & Oars
These pretty much speak for themselves - anchors can help you to regain control of your boat and keep it stable in bad weather, whereas having oars to hand will be just what you need if your engine fails.
Water Bucket
Something like a Talamex PVC Bucket is great for removing water from your boat in an emergency. It comes with a 100% PVC construction, so that nothing in the design will damage your boat surfaces if they come into contact.
