Safety & flares

The kit you hope never to open

Safety gear is bought to be ignored. But the one night you need it, it has to be there, current, and reachable in the dark by someone who's never used it.

flares      in date, in reach, solas rated
jacklines   rigged before you leave the dock
tether      clipped at all times on deck
ditch bag   documents, water, and a charge

SOLAS is the floor

The Safety of Life at Sea standard isn't a gold medal — it's the minimum. Check the expiry on flares and the charge on the EPIRB every spring, and write it in the log.

Practice the drill

A man overboard drill you've never run is a panic you've rehearsed. Run it once a season, in daylight, with the whole crew. The muscle memory is the safety equipment.