Offshore and Boat Safety Equipment Checklist UK — What’s Required and What’s Just Sensible
Offshore and Boat Safety Equipment Checklist UK
Here is something that surprises most people. For recreational vessels under 13.7 metres in the UK, there are actually very few pieces of safety equipment legally required under MCA regulations beyond the basic requirements of SOLAS Chapter V. In plain English — the law does not require you to have as much as you probably think.
But just because something is not legally required does not mean you should not have it, i certainly wouldnt join a vessel as crew if there were some things missing. in my young naivety, I have been on boats without a liferaft. I have been on boats where nobody mentioned where the lifejackets were until I asked. I have seen people use a bread knife as a safety knife because it was the only blade on board (I have done this myseld). Getting from A to B safely most of the time does not mean you are prepared for the one time something goes wrong.
This offshore safety equipment checklist covers both. What the law requires — and what you should have regardless.
What Is Legally Required for Recreational Vessels Under 13.7m in the UK
Source: MCA MGN 599 and SOLAS Chapter V — verified at gov.uk/mca
Under SOLAS Chapter V the following apply to all vessels including recreational boats:
— Navigation equipment sufficient for the voyage including a compass
— Up to date charts for the area of operation
— Means of making sound signals — a horn or whistle
— Means of making distress signals — flares appropriate to the area of operation
Beyond SOLAS V, for recreational vessels under 13.7 metres there are no statutory requirements for lifejackets, fire extinguishers, liferafts, or EPIRBs under current MCA regulations. The MCA and RYA strongly recommend all of these — but they are not currently mandated by law for recreational vessels in this size range.
This is something I personally think needs to change. The absence of a requirement does not mean the absence of a need.
What You Should Have — Regardless of Legal Requirements
This is the list I would want on any vessel I was on. I have provided a table further down providing links to our recommended equipment so you can check availability on Amazon.
Personal Safety:
— Lifejacket for every person on board — 150N minimum for coastal, 275N for offshore
— PLB for each person on deck offshore
— Marine safety knife accessible on your person.
— EPIRB registered and mounted accessibly on the vessel.
Vessel Safety:
— Liferaft sized for all crew — serviced annually – Post coming soon on Life rafts
— Fire extinguisher — minimum one, more for vessels with engines and cooking. I like the automatic fire ball extinguishers that you just throw in and get out of the way
— Flares — inshore pack as minimum, offshore pack for passages beyond 7 miles [Search Amazon UK for Pains Wessex Flare Pack]
— VHF radio — handheld as minimum, fixed DSC for offshore, I rate the Icom handhelds and Icom Fixed DSC, waterproof-ish and epic battery.
— First aid kit — marine specific, waterproof, at a minimum. Plus a fully sealed First aid kit only to be opened by the captain when talking to medical teams in a major emergency.
— Bilge pump — manual backup even if you have an electric pump
— Anchor and sufficient chain for your operating area
Navigation and Communication:
— Up to date charts — paper backup even if you have a chartplotter
— Compass — independent of electronics
— GPS chartplotter with MOB function
— AIS receiver — so you can see commercial traffic
Personal Kit — Often Overlooked:
— Warm layers regardless of the weather forecast — conditions change
— Dry jacket or foul weather gear
— Polarised sunglasses — reduces eye strain and improves visibility on the water
— Suncream — you will burn faster on the water than on land
— Photographic ID — passport or driving licence
— All relevant certifications if commercial
— Penknife or multitool
— Snorkel and mask — surprisingly useful if you need to check the hull or propeller
The Grab Bag — What Goes In
A grab bag is what you take with you if you have to abandon ship in a hurry. It should be waterproof, brightly coloured, and stored somewhere it can be grabbed in seconds.
Your grab bag should contain at minimum:
— Handheld VHF radio
— PLB or EPIRB if not already mounted
— Flares
— Water and some food
— First aid essentials
— Whistle
— Torch — waterproof
— Warm clothing in a dry bag
— Copies of important documents — passport, insurance, emergency contacts
— Cash
The Things People Most Commonly Overlook
The location of lifejackets and liferafts. I have been on vessels where nobody told me where they were until I asked. Every person on board should know where every piece of safety equipment is before you leave the dock. Not when something happens — before.
A dedicated safety knife accessible on the person. Most people either do not have one or have a kitchen knife in the galley. Neither is acceptable offshore.
A maintained and serviced liferaft. A liferaft that has not been serviced is not a liferaft — it is a heavy orange bag. Service it annually without exception.
Flares in date. Flares have expiry dates. Check yours.
Legal vs Sensible — Quick Reference
| Equipment | Legally Required Under 13.7m | Should You Have It |
|---|---|---|
| Lifejacket for all | No | Absolutely yes |
| EPIRB | No | Yes for offshore |
| PLB | No | Yes for every person offshore |
| Liferaft | No under 13.7m | Yes for offshore passages |
| Fire extinguisher | No under 13.7m | Yes — always |
| VHF radio | No | Yes — essential |
| Flares | SOLAS V applies | Yes |
| Marine safety knife | No | Yes — on your person |
| First aid kit | No | Yes |
Source: MCA MGN 599, SOLAS Chapter V. Always verify current requirements at gov.uk/mca and rya.org.uk as regulations are reviewed periodically.
FAQs
Do I legally need a liferaft on my yacht in the UK?
For recreational vessels under 13.7m there is currently no statutory requirement for a liferaft. However for offshore passages the MCA and RYA strongly recommend one. For commercial vessels requirements vary — check the MCA Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code which came into force December 2025.
Are flares legally required on recreational boats in the UK?
SOLAS Chapter V applies to all vessels and requires means of making distress signals. The specific flares required depend on your area of operation. The MCA and RYA guidance recommends an inshore pack for coastal use and an offshore pack for passages beyond 7 miles.
Do I need a VHF radio by law?
Not by statute for recreational vessels, but it is the primary means of communication with coastguard and other vessels. Channel 16 is the international distress channel monitored by coastguard. Not having a VHF radio offshore is not illegal — it is just very unwise.
What is the new MCA Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code?
A new consolidated code of practice for small commercial vessels came into force 12 December 2025, replacing the old Blue, Yellow, and Red codes. It applies to vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure — not purely recreational vessels. Check gov.uk/mca for full details.
The information in this article is for general guidance only. Always verify current legal requirements for your specific vessel and area of operation against current MCA documentation at gov.uk/mca and RYA guidance at rya.org.uk.
