MCA Editorial·July 2026
Everyone carries the mandatory gear. Not everyone can find it in a rolling boat at night.
Safety gear you can't reach isn't safety gear. It's decoration.
PFDs You'll Actually Wear
Inflatables are transformative. Comfortable jackets get worn. Uncomfortable ones sit under the seat.
Communications That Work Under Stress
VHF as primary. Phone as backup. EPIRB or PLB for the day that neither works. Know which is which — and know how to use each one without instructions.
Boarding, Bailing, Bleeding, Burning
Ladder or reboarding aid, bailer, first-aid kit, extinguisher. Cheap, boring, and every one of them saves the day it's needed.
The Gear That Earns Its Space
- PFDs that everyone will actually wear
- VHF you can operate one-handed
- EPIRB or PLB — registered and in date
- Reboarding ladder tested with a full crew
- First-aid kit stocked, dry and accessible
- Fire extinguisher within one step of the helm
Things to Think About
- Which piece of gear could you find blindfolded, right now?
- When did you last actually test your EPIRB or PLB?
- Would your PFD be on if the boat rolled today?
Key Takeaways
- Compliance is the floor. Real safety is well beyond it.
- Comfortable gear gets worn. Uncomfortable gear doesn't.
- Every crew member should know where the key gear lives.