Canadian Boating June 2024 - 48

BOATERS RESOURCE GUIDE
YOUR ONBOARD EMERGENCY TOOLKIT
" YOU HAD BETTER TAKE IT WITH YOU... "
By | Andy Adams
I
'm superstitious - I admit it. But I have reasons to feel that way. When the lawn is burned out and the gardens are wilting, just
wash the car. It's sure to rain after that. The reverse is true. On a beautiful summer's day, always pack a raincoat and an umbrella
just in case. It's certain to stay sunny and clear.
Operating on the same idea, Canadian Boating magazine has developed our Onboard Emergency Toolkit with a list of things that
we suggest you had better take with you every time you cast off for a boat ride. Problems can happen even close to home and an
offshore breeze can take you out a long way in a short period of time.
But being superstitious, if you keep your emergency kit at the ready, you will probably never need it!
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Start with the full list of Transport Canada-mandated safety equipment for your size of boat (https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/
files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf). Make sure everyone onboard is properly equipped and knows how to use their equipment. You can't put
on a PFD once you are floundering in the water.
THE ONBOARD EMERGENCY KIT
* Emergency fuel supply. Running out of fuel is one of the most
common reasons people get stranded.
* Emergency battery booster and jumper cables. Dead batteries
are the other most common reason people get stranded.
* Powerful flashlight and fresh batteries.
* Emergency reboarding device - even just a rope with loops
knotted into it can be a ladder.
* First Aid Kit.
* Towing rope and bridle.
* Very sharp knife to quickly cut the tow rope in an emergency.
* Anchor and plenty of rode to keep you in one place and away
from the rocks or the middle of the lake.
* Weather information. (see Communications devices below)
* Communications devices - A VHF radio or a portable VHF radio
is usually best and receives Weather Radio Canada local broadcasts.
Your cell phone might work near shore but get a weather
app for boating like PredictWind.com - it's free for basic services
and you get winds and weather all around the world.
* NOTE: To operate a VHF radio, you need to take the VHF
Radio course from CPS-ECP to get your license and to know
how to use your radio.
* Download and learn to use the " What 3 Words " app - it's free.
With that and your VHF or even your cell phone, Search and
Rescue can locate you within a few yards almost anywhere on
the planet.
* Get an emergency battery pack for your cell phone.
* Learn what a " float plan " is and always use one when you are
travelling out of sight of home.
* Carry information about your boat that even guests can use -
Do you already have an Onboard Emergency Toolkit? Do you like the ideas we are suggesting here? Do you have other smart ideas
that you would be willing to share? Send your comments and ideas to Andy Adams, Editor at aadams@kerrwil.com
NOTE: Where practical, we suggest taking your Onboard Emergency Toolkit off the boat for storage. Minimize corrosion, avoid
theft and check it before you head for the boat!
48 CANADIAN BOATING | JUNE 2024
colour, length, description of boat and motor and registration
numbers.
* Trailer launch rope so you can hang onto the boat as it floats on
or off the trailer. Your arms will not be long enough!
* Big manual bilge pump. European boats are required to have
one.
* Emergency propellor, wrench and extra hardware. Learn how
to change a prop. Making contact with a lone unmarked rock
can disable the boat.
* Better yet - get a Mercurymarine.com service kit for your
engine (Yamaha and others also sell these DIY tuneup kits). It
can accomplish two things; be sure your engine is running well
before you cast off and in the process, learn more about your
boat and motor.
* Binoculars - spot marker buoys and other distant details.
* Get a C-Tow membership. Leave the rescue to the pros!

https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf http://www.Mercurymarine.com http://www.PredictWind.com

Canadian Boating June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Boating June 2024