Free and printable
Choose your boat’s length, engine, waters and whether you run after dark. The checklist shows the federal minimum safety equipment required for that boat, with the regulation behind each line and a box to check for each item aboard.
Use it as a boat safety equipment checklist before the season or as a boat pre departure checklist. Print it or save it as a PDF. No account or email required.
Choose your boat
The checklist changes as you make your selections. Every requirement names the federal rule it comes from, so you can check the source yourself.
Boat safety equipment checklist
Your boat
Tick each line when the gear is aboard, in date and in good order.
Free from yachtgrade.com/boat-safety-equipment-checklist. Federal minimums for recreational boats in US waters. Your state may require more. Not the Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check, and not a survey.
Federal minimums for recreational boats in US waters. Your state may require more. This is not the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Vessel Safety Check, which is a free check you can request. Find one through the Vessel Safety Check site. This page is not official, not approved and not endorsed by the Coast Guard, and it is not a survey.
Boats over 65 ft and boats that carry passengers for hire follow other rules and are not covered here.
Coast Guard boat requirements by length
The same federal minimums shown in the checklist above, in one table. Where the table says Yes, the gear must be USCG approved or certified, in good serviceable condition and readily accessible.
| Item | Under 16 ft | 16 to under 26 ft | 26 to under 40 ft | 40 to 65 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wearable life jacket | 1 per person | 1 per person | 1 per person | 1 per person |
| Throwable (Type IV) | Not required | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Portable extinguishers, no fixed system | 1 x 5-B | 1 x 5-B | 2 x 5-B | 3 x 5-B |
| Portable extinguishers, approved fixed system | 0 | 0 | 1 x 5-B | 2 x 5-B |
| Visual distress signals, coastal waters and Great Lakes | Night signals, sunset to sunrise | Day and night | Day and night | Day and night |
| Sound signal | Some efficient means | Some efficient means | Whistle at 39.4 ft (12 m) and over | Whistle |
| Navigation lights | Sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility, all lengths | |||
| Ventilation and backfire flame arrestor | Gasoline engines in an enclosed space (flame arrestor: not outboards), all lengths | |||
| Engine cut-off switch link, worn by operator | Yes, 3 hp or more | Yes, 3 hp or more | Not covered | Not covered |
| Oil discharge placard (5 x 8 in) | No | No | Yes, with machinery space | Yes, with machinery space |
| Garbage placard (4 x 9 in) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Written waste management plan | No | No | No | Only if ocean-going and in commerce or with galley and berthing |
| Navigation Rules copy | No | No | At 39.4 ft (12 m) and over | Yes |
| Marine sanitation device | If a toilet is installed | |||
| Registration number and Certificate of Number | Yes (or the documentation markings, if documented) | |||
Keeping the safety equipment current
The checklist tells you what the federal minimum requires you to carry. YachtGrade can also show where safety equipment is aboard and track its expiry dates.
Mark where the safety equipment is aboard.
Printable safety plans mark extinguishers, shutoffs and escape routes on a deck layout, one deck per page, so a crew member or guest finds them fast.
Track safety equipment expiry dates.
YachtGrade tracks expiry dates for insurance, registration and safety gear, including flares and extinguishers.
Use the free boat inspection checklist too.
Safety equipment is only one part of checking a boat. The free boat inspection checklist covers through-hulls, bilges, engine room, electrical and cabin.
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Federal minimums for recreational boats in US waters, taken from the USCG Boater’s Guide and 33 CFR. Your state may require more. Not a Vessel Safety Check and not a survey. Not official, approved or endorsed by the Coast Guard.
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