Most boaters dread the idea of being checked by the U.S. Coast Guard or local marine patrol. Not because they are nefarious criminals on the run or otherwise have something to hide, they are simply afraid they will get a citation for missing some obscure piece of safety equipment. But guess what? Every piece of safety equipment required to be onboard has been deemed necessary for one particular reason – the safety of the passengers and crew.
Most people get in trouble because they simply do not understand what those requirements are. We are here to help and in the following article will guide you through the list of jon boat safety equipment, both needed and desired.
Required vs. Desired Safety Equipment
Safety equipment can be divided into two categories – that which is required by law and that which is desired by the boat owner.
Forget to pack a piece of the latter and you may encounter a less than ideal day on the water, on which requires you to work harder than necessary or forego some of the niceties. Forget to pack a required item and it could be far worse.
Best case scenario is your boat gets checked by authorities and a ticket is issued. Worse case scenario is you or someone onboard you boat needs that piece of equipment and it is not available. Every boat operator is responsible for the safety of their passengers and the first step is providing the safety equipment listed below.
The following list of equipment is presented in two lists – that which is required by regulation and that which is often desired. While the former is necessary due to law the latter has been determined necessary sue to years of combined experience. Both are potentially invaluable when presented with an emergency on the water without the ability to pull over and call roadside assistance.
Required Jon Boat Safety Equipment
Boating regulations are established at both the Federal & state levels. These requirements are enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, State authorities, sheriff departments, municipal police and harbor patrols. Unlike when you are driving an automobile most jurisdictions allow authorities to stop and check a boat’s safety equipment without a violation being observed. In other words, they can conduct random inspections and issue citations when missing or unserviceable equipment is discovered.
The following items are the generally required safety equipment you will need on board your jon boat every time you leave the dock, although some jurisdiction may have additional requirements depending on the specific size of the boat, time of year it is used, or even when you use it on a specific waterway. ALWAYS check local regulations for additional information.
Personal Floatation Devices
Personal Floatation Devices – PFDs, also known as life jackets or life preservers, are the most basic of safety items. They are also the most needed but unavailable with over 85% of fatalities involving drowning in which victims were not wearing a PFD.
According to regulations every boat must (1) have a wearable PFD available for each person onboard; (2) each PFD must be serviceable & (3) each PFD must properly fit the intended wearer.
PFD should be inspected regularly and replaced if they become ripped, sun damaged or buckles/straps become inoperable. Many jurisdictions require PFDs to be worn by non-swimmers or children when onboard smaller craft. All PFDs must be U.S. Coast Guard Approved and used according to any label instructions.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite life jackets specific to jon boat activities on this page. Hope it’s helpful!
Fire Extinguisher
Any jon boat equipped with a gasoline motor, or in some cases electrical components, is required to carry a functioning fire extinguisher. As you can imagine fire can be a boater’s worse nightmare as even a minor blaze can cause you to abandon you boat. Your fire extinguisher must be U.S. Coast Guard Approved, properly charged and stored within easy reach of the operator.
Remember, the most likely area where a fire will occur is the engine compartment so it is important you store the fire extinguisher some place you will be able to access even if this area is fully engulfed.
Check your fire extinguisher regularly and have it replaced or repaired if the charge is lost, the gauge stops functioning properly or there are any signs of leaking (a common problem due to the vibration of the boat). Common household fire extinguishers are generally not approved for use on your boat and are not designed to withstand the vibration or constant exposure to the elements.
Sound Producing Device
Boating involves a variety of sounds signals which are used to communicate your intentions to other boaters – 1 short blast “ I intend to pass on your port (left); 2 short blasts “I intend to pass on your starboard (right); 3 short blasts “ I am backing” or 5 short blasts “Danger”.
Should you be involved in an accident or other emergency your quickest means of attracting attention is loud whistle blasts, which can be heard much easier than your voice. For these reasons every boat is required to carry a functioning sound producing device while underway.
Some motor boats are equipped with an electric horn, similar to that found in your automobile. However, smaller boats will need to be equipped with a handheld whistle or airhorn. Even if your boat is equipped with an installed horn it is recommend you add a handheld device as a backup, in case you loss power or the horn stops working for mechanical reasons. A simple athletic whistle is the cheapest and often most reliable sound producing device available.
Throwable Device
Often referred to as a Type V PFD, the throwable device is not a wearable floatation device but is instead designed to be thrown to someone who has already entered the water and does not have their PFD available.
The most common designs are the “ring buoy” or “seat cushion”, the first resembles the circular devices used by life guards while the second is square with two straps or handles the victim can put their arms through for better retention. Do not confuse the latter with the cushions installed on your boat’s built in seats which may float but are not approved as floatation devices.
All throwable devices must be U.S. Coast Guard Approved. While not required it is recommended that a length of line be added to your throwable device as this will allow you to retrieve the device and re-throw if you miss your intended target or even pull the victim to safety once they have possession of the device.
Navigation Lights
All vessels operating between sunset & sunrise, or during periods of reduced visibility (i.e. rain or fog) are required to have functioning navigation lights available.
For most jon boats this means both red & green bow lights and a single all around white light, the latter of which is mounted high enough to be seen from all directions. Some designs may not have an all-around white light and will instead have a masthead light and stern light, both of which are white and when combined offer 360 degrees of visibility.
Light can be either permanently installed or put in place when needed. Likewise, they can be operated by an installed battery system or a self-contained power source similar to a flashlight.
Lights should be inspected routinely, and bulbs replaced as needed. It is important to remember that the placement of navigation lights is done to meet specific visibility requirements, should you replace your factory installed lights be sure to use on approved OEM systems.
For more information see our post on jon boat lighting requirements.
Visual Distress Signals
Although not required on all inland waters, VDS are required on Federally navigable waters and a nice to have any time you need to attract the attention of rescuers. Most boaters purchase a VDS kit that include night time flares, day time smoke signals and a distress flag that can be flown or waved to attract attention.
Visual distress signals do expire, and regulations require they be replaced when this occurs, however, those expired VDS can still function and should be kept on hand in case of an emergency – if need the more you have the better.
Skier Flag
While we don’t anticipate you doing much skiing behind your jon boat, it’s definitely been done before. Towing a skier or tuber adds an additional danger to boating. Other boaters may not realize the additional passenger, who is often up to 80-100 ft behind you, is connected to your boat. If they transit between the two the skier can easily be injured.
Likewise, should the skier fall into the water they will be difficult to see and could be accidentally struck. For these reasons many jurisdictions require boats towing a skier or tuber fly a special flag to announce their activity to others. The size, color and location of this flag varies by jurisdiction so be sure to check with local authorities.
Optional Jon Boat Safety Equipment
Now that we have covered the required items, those which authorities have decided every boater must have available, it is time to expand the list to include those items you should (but are not ordered) to have handy. Years of experience have led experts to recommend these safety items be onboard even if the law does not say so.
Flashlight
If you find yourself without working navigation lights a flashlight can be used to signal to passersby, letting them know where you are. Likewise, a flashlight can be used to find your way when navigating into unknown marina or through rocks or other debris in the dark.
Chem-Lights
These handy handheld colored lights are a perfect temporary substitution for inoperable navigation lights – a red, green and white chem-light tied or taped in place and you can safely make your way back to the dock in an emergency. They can be easily stored in a tackle box, tool box or storage compartment and last for many seasons if not activated.
Paddle or Oars
How many times have you been out on the water and had your motor unexpectedly stop working? When this happens, you are the mercy of the wind or tide, unless you have a secondary means of propulsion. A paddle or set of oars will allow you to get almost any size jon boat to safety, although it may take a little while depending on your boat’s specific size and water conditions you are operating in.
Boat Hook
While a boat hook is not a required piece of safety equipment it is worth its weight in gold for any boater. You can use it to hold yourself next to a dock when loading or off-loading passengers & gear, allowing you to keep hands clear of potential injury. You can reach out and assist passengers who unexpectedly fall into the water. It can be used to push debris out of the way, or to push your vessel clear of shallow areas. The list goes on.
For smaller jon boats it is recommended you select a collapsible boat hook that will allow for easier storage yet provide extended reach when needed.
Anchor and Line
Most anglers would never leave the dock without their trusty anchor & line, not because it is a potential safety tool but because they use it to hold their position when a favorite fishing spot is reached. But, if you should experience engine failure, loss a paddle/oar or otherwise are unable to navigate the anchor & line is the only means of maintaining position.
Make sure that the anchor you select is heavy enough to hold your jon boat and equipped with enough line to do so regardless of tide or current. Most experts recommend the line be 7-10 times the water depth where you regularly boat.
For more info see our post on the three best jon boat anchors for any situation.
Bailing Device
Boaters have a love/hate relationship with water. It is natural (& necessary) that you be surrounded by it, but you NEVER want it inside your boat. Even smaller jon boats can be equipped with a sump pump and this is generally all you need should the unexpected leak occur, but these pumps rely on electricity and if the battery dies so does you pump. If this happens a simple bailing device will be invaluable.
You do not need to be too fancy, a bucket or even large bottle cut to resemble a scoop, will remove water as fast as you can dip and empty it. You can also purchase an easy to use hand pump that resembles a hand operated tire pump at any marine supply store.
Tool Kit & Repair Parts
Many potential emergencies can be turned into a short inconvenience if you have simple tools and basic parts available. Lost power can be restored with nothing more than a wire brush to clean the connections or a wrench to tighten battery cables.
Broken or lost props happen so every boater should carry a replacement prop and the tools needed to make an at sea installation. Spark plugs, fuel filters and extra oil are all items you may never need but will be glad to have should the need arise.
First Aid Kit
Everyone who travels should have a first aid kit available and this includes boaters. Boating may not be inherently dangerous, but it does involve a far number of hazards. Fingers can be pinched or cut. Sharp edges can grab flesh. Users unaccustomed to the rocking of the boat can easily be cut by knives or tools and fish hooks almost always hook the angler before they catch a fish. Having a first aid kit on hand can allow you to avoid your day being ruined by what on dry land would be treated with a simple bandage.
Cell Phone
There was a time when every boater carried a marine band radio, which was their only means of communication in an emergency. Now days the radio has been largely replaced by the cellular phone. Not only can it be used to call for help, apps can be used as well. Want to know what the approaching weather looks like? Need a navigation chart? How about a number to the local marina to see how late the gas dock (or snack bar) is open? There is an app for that. Of course, if you are going to take your cell phone afloat make sure you pick up a waterproof carry case as well.
Charger
If you are going to rely on your cell phone there is one thing you need to remember: the battery will always die when you need it the most. Make sure you have a charger available. Many jon boats, especially smaller ones, will not have an outlet available but there are inexpensive solar chargers and auxiliary battery packs available.
The Best Piece of Safety Equipment
There is one last piece of safety equipment that you can not buy in a store or order online: a boating safety course. Even the most experienced boater can benefit from a simple course and new boaters will find it an easy means of decoding what it otherwise a combination of foreign terms and procedures. Plus, depending on your age and the size jon boat you will be operating, a growing number of jurisdictions are making this a mandatory part of hitting the water. Check with local authorities on requirements and approved courses in your area.
