Checking for safety equipment

Every boat should have certain safety items on board every time you sail. Although these items normally stay on the boats, they are sometimes removed for repairs or by mistake. Make a habit of checking for these items each time you board your boat, and let your instructor know if any of them are broken or missing.

• Throwable flotation device: A square cushion that you can throw to someone who has fallen overboard. Since people can be hard to see in the water, this also helps mark the spot where the person fell in.
• Bilge pump: A manual pump with a hose for pumping water out of the boat. This is useful to get rid of rainwater before you sail.
• Bailer: A milk jug or laundry bottle with the bottom removed, for scooping out water if the bilge pump fails.
• Paddle: A canoe paddle that can propel the boat if the wind dies or the sails fail.
• Anchor: A small anchor to prevent the boat from drifting while you rest or make repairs. Always tie the anchor rope to the bow cleat of the boat before throwing the anchor overboard, and always launch the anchor off the bow (front) of the boat.