Australia's coastline—35,000 km of it—demands gear that handles coral reefs, southern ocean swells, tropical humidity, and remote anchorages. Safety equipment isn't optional; it's the difference between a story and a tragedy.
Mandatory Safety Gear (Per AMSA / State Regulations)
- Lifejackets (Level 100+) : One per person; correct size; accessible (not locked away). Inflatable auto-inflate preferred for wearability.
- EPIRB (406 MHz GPS): Registered; battery in date; mounted in bracket, not stowed.
- VHF Radio (DSC): Channel 16 monitoring; MMSI programmed; handheld backup.
- Flares (In-date): 2 red hand-held + 2 orange smoke (offshore); or laser flare (day/night).
- Fire Extinguisher: 1 kg ABE dry powder; accessible; pressure gauge green.
- Anchor + Chain/Rope: Sized for vessel (15–20 m chain + 30 m rope minimum).
- Bilge Pump (Manual + Electric): Float switch; discharge above waterline.
- Navigation Lights: COLREGs compliant; LED; spare bulbs.
- Sound Signal: Horn/whistle; bell if >12 m.
- Waterproof Torch: Floating; spare batteries.
Highly Recommended Additions
- GPS Chartplotter + Paper Charts: Redundancy. C-MAP / Navionics AU charts.
- Compass (Magnetic): Fluxgate or traditional — no batteries, no failure. Suction-mount or bulkhead.
- AIS (Class B): See/be seen by ships; critical in shipping lanes (Botany Bay, Port Phillip, Torres Strait).
- Satellite Messenger (Garmin inReach, Zoleo): Two-way text off-grid; SOS to GEOS.
- Medical Kit (Marine-rated): Trauma, burns, seasickness, dehydration, marine envenomation.
- Grab Bag (Ditch Bag): EPIRB, VHF, water, flares, torch, knife, first aid, docs — ready to abandon ship.
- Sea Anchor / Drogue: Storm survival; keeps bow to waves.
Convenience & Fishing Gear
- Fish finder / sounder (CHIRP, DownVü, SideVü)
- Rod holders, outriggers, tackle storage
- Bait board, livewell, fillet station
- Stereo (marine-rated, Bluetooth)
- Shade: Bimini, T-top, hardtop
- Refrigeration: 12V fridge/freezer (Engel, Dometic, Vitrifrigo)
- Water maker (watermaker): 40–160 L/hr for extended cruising
Buying Smart in Australia
- Reputable chandleries: Whitworths, Boat Books, Marine Deals, local marine stores.
- Online: MarineDeals.com.au, BoatAccessoriesAustralia.com.au — verify AU warranty.
- Avoid: Cheap imports without RCM mark, no AU distributor, no spare parts.
- Service network: Buy brands with Australian service agents (Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, Lowrance, GME, Icom).
Boat-Type Specific Priorities
| Vessel | Priority Gear |
|---|
| Tinny / Small Runabout | Lifejackets, EPIRB, VHF, anchor, bilge, torch, bailer |
| Cruiser (30–50 ft) | All mandatory + AIS, radar, autopilot, watermaker, liferaft |
| Game Fisher | Outriggers, fighting chair, teaser, high-speed sounder, satellite phone |
| Sailing Yacht | Storm sails, preventer, jacklines, harnesses, wind instruments |
Australian waters don't forgive unpreparedness. The best equipment is the gear you have, know how to use, and trust when conditions deteriorate. Buy quality; maintain religiously; practice drills.
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