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Please note our Whitianga office will be closed to the public on Tuesday, 16 September and Wednesday, 17 September 2025. You can still contact our staff on freephone 0800 800 401 or via an online form.

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Skipper safety equipment checklist

The skipper is responsible the safety of all people on board. So planning and preparation is important to enjoying a great day out on the water!

Always make sure your vessel has the following items on board, just in case things don’t go according to plan:

  • Correctly fitting lifejackets for all people on board
  • At least two reliable forms of communication (one waterproof) – EPIRB, PLB, VHF radio, flares, or cell phone in a waterproof bag)
  • Oars or paddles (or other form of alternate power)
  • Fire extinguisher 
  • Anchors and chains
  • Navigation lights
  • Bailer/bucket 
  • Compass and chart
  • Fresh fuel (take enough to allow a third for the trip out, a third for the trip back, and third just in case)
  • Drinking water
  • Robust knife
  • Torch
  • First aid kit
  • Tool kit