Boating Safety Requirements in South Australia
Recreational Boating Safety in SA
Minimum safety equipment required for recreational boats under 8 metres in length
Protected waters
- one lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
- a bucket with line attached, or a manual bilge pump
- if the boat has an engine, one fire extinguisher
- a pair of paddles or oars, or other auxiliary means of propulsion, or an anchor with cable
Semi-protected waters
- one lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
- a pair of paddles or oars, or other auxiliary means of propulsion
- a suitable anchor with cable
- a bucket with line attached, or a manual bilge pump
- if the boat has an engine, one fire extinguisher
- a waterproof torch or lantern
Unprotected waters
- one PFD that complies with AS1512 for each person on board (PFD)
- a suitable anchor with cable
- a bucket with line attached, or a manual bilge pump
- if the boat has an engine, one fire extinguisher
- a waterproof torch or lantern
- a two-way marine radio
- two flares and two smoke signals
- four litres of fresh water
- a suitable compass (liquid damped)
If operating more than 3 nautical miles from shore, except Lakes Alexandrina and Albert, or more than five nautical miles from shore in Gulf of St Vincent or Spencer Gulf
- as above, plus
- one EPIRB (Emergency Distress Beacon)
- one V distress sheet
If operating more than 10 nautical miles from shore
- all the above, plus
- two distress rockets with parachutes
- a map or chart of the waters in which the boat will operate
For more information? 
The following safety products can be purchased through the secure Yacht and Boat online store to Order Online
- Life Jackets (PDF’s Type 1, 2 & 3)
- Life Rafts
- Life Buoys
- Compasses
- Approved EPRIB’s
Minimum safety equipment required for recreational boats 8 metres to 15 metres in length
Protected waters
- one lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
- a suitable anchor with cable
- a bucket with line attached
- a manual bilge pump
- two fire extinguishers
- one life-buoy with line
Semi-protected waters
- one lifejacket or PFD for each person on board
- two suitable anchors with cables (if less than 12 metres one anchor may be carried as a spare)
- two buckets with lines attached
- a manual bilge pump
- two fire extinguishers
- one life-buoy with line
- a waterproof torch or lantern
Unprotected waters
- one PFD that complies with AS1512 for each person on board
- two suitable anchors with cables
- two buckets with lines attached
- a manual bilge pump
- two fire extinguishers
- one life-buoy with line
- a waterproof torch or lantern
- a two-way marine radio capable of communication with ashore stations
- two flares and two smoke signals
- four litres of fresh water
- the boat must be fitted with a compass, preferably liquid damped
If operating more than 3 nautical miles from shore, except Lakes Alexandrina and Albert, or more than five nautical miles from shore in Gulf of St Vincent or Spencer Gulf
- as above, plus
- one EPIRB (Emergency Distress Beacon)
- one V distress sheet
If operating more than 10 nautical miles from shore
- all the above, plus
- two distress rockets with parachutes
- a map or chart of the waters in which the boat will operate
A vessel more than 15 metres in length must also have
- an additional lifebuoy with line
- a life-raft
The following safety products can be purchased through the secure Yacht and Boat online store to Order Online
- Life Jackets (PDF’s Type 1, 2 & 3)
- Life Rafts
- Life Buoys
- Compasses
- Approved EPRIB’s
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