Buoyant Heaving Lines

A buoyant heaving line is a rescue device.     Buoyant heaving lines, either 15 metres or 30 metres in length, are a requirement for most boats.   Check the size category for your vessel to determine the length required.

Practice throwing your heaving line and inspect annually.

Replace defective heaving lines.

Lifebuoys

See the chart for the requirements for your vessel.  A lifebuoy attached to a specified length of buoyant heaving line is required for vessels greater than 9 metres in length.

When buying a lifebuoy look for the Transport Canada approval sticker.

Store this piece of equipment so that it is readily accessible in the event someone goes overboard.

Inspect annually and replace if required.   There must be no tears, perforations, or rot.   Grab lines must be secure and in good condition.

Lifting harness and appropriate rigging

This is a requirement for vessels over 24m. When purchasing a harness and rigging, consider how you would recover an injured or unconscious person using the device.

Reboarding device

All boats over 12 m and boats with freeboard exceeding 0.5m require a reboarding device.   If your vessel is equipped with a transom ladder or a swim platform less than 0.5m above water it already meets this requirement.   Inspect annually and repair or replace if required.

Note that any part of the vessel's propulsion system can not be considered a re-boarding device.

Manual propelling device

• a set of oars;
• a paddle;
• any other apparatus that can be used manually by a person to propel a vessel, including pumping the rudder on small open sailboats.

Anchor

Anchoring a pleasure craft is a safety option to consider when severe weather threatens or the pleasure craft is disabled.

The length of the anchor line must be at least the minimum specified in the Small Vessel Regulations for the vessel type and size.   The anchor line (or rode) can be any combination of rope and chain to meet the length requirement.   See the chart for anchor details for your vessel.

Selection of an anchor should be based on the size of your vessel, the holding power of the anchor, and the type of bottom where the anchor will be placed.   Use a larger anchor for adverse weather conditions.

See the Anchoring section for details on the various types of anchors and instruction on how to lower and set an anchor.

Before anchoring it is important to fasten the inboard end of the anchor line to a secure point on the pleasure craft and to securely fasten the outboard end of the anchor line to the anchor.

Bailers and manual water pumps

Bailers must be of at least 750mL with opening minimum 65 cm² and constructed of plastic or metal.

If you choose to have a manual pump, the pump and hose must be able to reach the bilge and discharge over the side of the vessel.

Bilge pumps should be checked at the beginning of the season for correct operation.   Repair or replace as required,

A bilge pump is the most practical method of emptying the bilge of a large vessel.

Some vessels do not require a bailer or bilge pump.

See the chart for the requirements for your vessel.