Boat safety equipment: the complete guide to safe sailing

Understanding navigation zones and their requirements

Before putting together your safety equipment, you must identify your usual navigation zone. French regulations define four distinct zones, each with its own equipment requirements.

The four navigation zones

Basic navigation: up to 2 miles from shelter

Ideal for family outings near the coast, coastal fishing, or Sunday cruises. For example: a trip from the Arcachon basin to the Banc d'Arguin.

Coastal navigation: 2 to 6 miles from shelter

Allows you to extend your range while remaining within reasonable reach of the coast. Example: sailing to the Lérins Islands from Cannes or between La Rochelle and Île de Ré.

Semi-offshore sailing: 6 to 60 miles from shelter

For experienced sailors who venture significantly further from the coast. Typically: a crossing from Toulon to Calvi or Nice to Sardinia.

Offshore sailing: more than 60 miles from shelter

Reserved for offshore sailing and ocean crossings. Example: Atlantic crossing or sailing to the Azores.

What is a "shelter"?

A shelter is a place where you can dock in case of problems: a port, a marina, a protected cove. It is your reference point for measuring distance and determining your sailing area.

Division 240: the regulatory framework

Since 2008, Division 240 has regulated the safety of recreational vessels under 24 meters. The latest update in May 2019 clarified certain rules and introduced new requirements, includingthe obligation to have a fixed VHF radio in semi-offshore areas.

This regulation applies to all recreational boats, whether new or used, and precisely defines the mandatory equipment for your navigation area.

A skipper is designated as responsible for the safety of all persons on board and must ensure that the equipment is compliant, in good condition, and accessible at all times.

Basic equipment for all sailors

Certain equipment is essential regardless of your sailing area. It is your first line of defense in the event of an incident.

Life jackets: your first line of defense

Life jackets (or personal flotation devices - PFDs) are the number one safety equipment item. You must have enough for all passengers on board, and each jacket must be adapted to the body type of its user.

Buoyancy standards according to your navigation:

• 50 Newtons: buoyancy aid for sailing up to 2 miles from shelter (basic zone)
• 100 Newtons: life jacket for sailing up to 6 miles from shelter (coastal zone)
• 150 Newtons: life jacket for all sailing areas
• 100 Newtons minimum for children weighing less than 30 kg, regardless of distance

Foam life jackets offer permanent buoyancy without maintenance, ideal for children and basic sailing. Although bulkier, they are reliable in all circumstances.

Inflatable life jackets (manual or automatic) are comfortable and discreet, perfect for coastal and offshore sailing, but require annual inspection of the CO2 cartridge and release system.

All our life jackets are CE certified and comply with the NF-EN 12402 standard.

Lighting device: stay visible in all circumstances

If you fall overboard or experience a breakdown at night, being visible can save your life. You must have a lighted tracking device with a minimum battery life of 6 hours.

Modern LED technologies offer excellent battery life and reliability. Choose waterproof models certified IPX7 or IPX8, tested to withstand immersion.

How to choose navigation lights for your boat?

Fire extinguishers: preventing and fighting fires

Fire on board is one of the most dangerous situations at sea. Your fire extinguishers must be easily accessible and suitable for the risks present on your boat.

How many fire extinguishers and where to place them?

For CE-marked vessels, follow the manufacturer's recommendations in the owner's manual.

For non-CE marked vessels, the capacity depends on your engine:

• Outboard motor >120 kW (160 hp): fire extinguisher(s) with a total capacity of 34B less than 1 meter from the helm (boats <10m) or 2.5 meters (boats >10m)
• Inboard engine <120 kW: fire extinguisher(s) with a capacity of 34B, accessible via a closable hatch in the engine compartment
• Inboard engine >120 kW: fire extinguisher(s) with a capacity of 68B or fixed system

Your fire extinguishers must be marked "NF EN 3" and indicated by a visible pictogram if they are stored in a closed space.

Our advice: Check the pressure every year (pressure gauge in the green zone) and replace them according to the manufacturer's recommendations (usually every 5 to 10 years).

Dewatering equipment: responding to water on board

Even in calm conditions, your boat can take on water (rain, waves, leaks). You must have effective means of bailing water:

• A bucket (10-15 liter capacity depending on the size of the boat)
• A bailer to quickly remove water
• A hand pump (or bilge pump) for larger volumes

This equipment must be easily accessible and stored in a location known to all crew members. Choose the size according to the size of your boat: a small bucket will suffice for a 5-meter RIB, while a 10-meter sailboat will require more substantial equipment.

Equip yourself according to your sailing area

Now that you know the basic equipment, let's see how to complete your gear according to your usual sailing area.

Basic sailing (0-2 miles): the essentials for beginners

Complete checklist of mandatory equipment:

• 50N life jackets (one per person, adapted to body types)
• Lighting device with a minimum of 6 hours of battery life
• Fire extinguisher(s) suitable for your engine
• Bailing equipment (bucket, bailer, hand pump)
• Towing device (tow rope)
• Anchoring line suitable for your area
• Tide tables for your area
• National flag (if sailing outside territorial waters)

This configuration is ideal for small boats (dinghies, RIBs, small motorboats) that remain close to the coast. The equipment is minimal but sufficient for short trips in favorable weather conditions.

Coastal navigation (2-6 miles): expanding your range

In coastal areas, add the following items to the basic equipment:

Additional mandatory equipment:

• Means of locating a person in the water: crown buoy or horseshoe buoy with a light that turns on when overturned, light pole
• Magnetic compass for orientation
• 3 red hand flares (distress signals)
• Up-to-date officialnautical charts for your sailing area
• Navigation system with regulations (paper or electronic format)
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS)
• Life jackets: You can keep 50Nlife jackets if you wear them at all times, or store 100N life jackets on board (new provision for 2019).

Our recommendation for location equipment: Choose a horseshoe buoy equipped with a turning light and combined with a telescopic pole with a flame. This configuration offers maximum visibility both day and night. Attach the assembly to the aft balcony or railings for immediate access.

Semi-offshore sailing (6-60 miles): preparing for the open sea

Being further from the coast requires more sophisticated equipment and increased autonomy. Regulations become stricter.

Additional mandatory equipment:

• Life raft (capacity ≥ number of people on board)
• 3 parachute flares + 2 floating smoke flares (or fixed VHF, see below)
• Fixed VHF ASN (Very High Frequency - MANDATORY since 2019)
• Up-to-datelight book (identification of light signals)
• Equipment for determining position (GPS, sextant, appropriate charts)
• Means of receiving weather reports (VHF, radio, satellite app)
• Logbook (paper or electronic)
• Harness + lanyard for each person on board
• Completefirst aid kit
• Life jackets with a minimum buoyancy of 100N (150N recommended)

The regulatory equipment is the legal minimum. For comfortable and safe semi-offshore sailing, we also recommend: survival suits, survival rations, manual watermaker, signal mirror, and an EPIRB (even though it is only mandatory beyond 60 miles).

Offshore sailing (60+ miles): safety on the high seas

Beyond 60 miles, you are out of range of rapid response. Air rescue takes over and your communication equipment becomes vital.

Additional mandatory equipment:

• Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz EPIRBdistress beacon (satellite location)
• Portable VHF radio for communicating with air rescue services

How to choose a portable VHF radio for your boat?

Highly recommended additional equipment:

• Survival suit for each crew member
• Survival rations (water, energy-rich food)
• Manual water desalinator
• Survival fishing equipment
• Extensive medical kit with antibiotics

Storage and maintenance: the essentials

Your equipment will only be useful if it is accessible, functional, and known to the entire crew.

The golden rules of storage:

• Clean, dry, and waterproof location (waterproof bags or boxes)
• Away from machinery and heat sources
• Free from oil spills
• Quickly accessible without dismantling other equipment
• Known to all passengers on board

Never in the engine compartment (except for fixed fire extinguishers). If you lack interior space, use watertight deck lockers or waterproof bags that are securely stowed.

Check your equipment before each season and after each extended voyage.

Essential checkpoints:

• Fire extinguishers: pressure, expiration date
• Life jackets: CO2 cartridges, automatic release, condition of straps
• Flares and smoke signals: expiration dates (4 years)
• VHF: batteries, transmission test
• Life raft: mandatory annual inspection at an approved station
• First aid kit: expiration dates of medicines

Keep a logbook (paper or digital) with the dates of inspection and replacement.

Before each outing, even with regulars:

• Show thelocation of each piece of equipment
• Explain how to use it (fire extinguisher, VHF, life jacket)
• Appoint a skipper responsible for safety
• Conduct a man overboard drill at least once per season

Summary: your summary table by area

See all our safety equipment