You know where the fire extinguisher is.
You know which locker contains the first aid kit. You know where the lifejackets are stored, where the battery switch is located and where to find the VHF radio.
But does the person sitting next to you know?
On a recreational boat, the owner or skipper usually knows the boat extremely well. Family members, friends and occasional guests may have very little idea where important safety equipment is stored.
If something happens, that difference matters.
Knowing that safety equipment is onboard isn't enough
Most boat owners spend considerable time choosing the right safety equipment.
Lifejackets, fire extinguishers, first aid equipment, communication equipment and other emergency gear all have their place onboard.
The problem is that much of it is stored away.
A fire extinguisher may be behind a door. The first aid kit might be in a locker. Lifejackets could be under a berth. An emergency beacon may be somewhere completely different.
The skipper knows this.
A guest who has been onboard for twenty minutes probably doesn't.
Make important equipment easy to identify
Clear boat safety stickers provide a simple visual way to identify important equipment and its location.
They can be used to mark equipment such as:
- fire extinguishers
- first aid kits
- lifejackets
- VHF radio
- EPIRB or PLB
- battery switches
- gas shutoff
- emergency exits
- man-overboard equipment
The purpose isn't to cover the boat in warning signs. It is to make the equipment that matters easier to identify when somebody needs it.
Create a safety equipment plan for your boat
Another useful approach is to create a simple overview showing where safety equipment is located throughout the boat.
The Hippo Marine Boat Safety Sticker Kit includes a safety equipment plan together with 48 safety stickers.
Choose the stickers that correspond to the equipment actually carried on your boat and place them on the plan according to its location.
You don't need to use all 48 stickers.
Every boat is different.
The result is a simple visual overview of where important equipment can be found.
See the Hippo Marine Boat Safety Sticker Kit →
Where should a boat safety plan be displayed?
There is no single location that works for every recreational boat.
The important thing is that the plan is visible and easy to access.
Depending on the boat, that could be near the companionway, inside the cabin, near the navigation area or on the inside of a frequently used door.
Think about it from the perspective of someone who doesn't know the boat:
Would they see it without having to search for it?
Do safety stickers make sense on a small fishing boat?
Yes. The principle is the same even if the boat is small.
A fishing boat may carry fewer pieces of safety equipment than a larger cruising boat, but another person onboard should still be able to identify where important equipment is located.
First aid equipment, fire extinguishers, communication equipment and other emergency gear can all be marked clearly.
For anglers, there is another simple safety principle worth remembering: avoid unnecessary situations that put you close to or leaning over the side of a small boat.
We discuss one surprisingly common example in our article:
Is It Safe to Pee Over the Side of a Fishing Boat? →
Safety information is especially useful for guests
If the same family uses a boat every weekend, everyone may eventually learn where everything is stored.
Guests are different.
Someone joining you for a day on the water may have no idea where your safety equipment is located.
A short safety briefing before leaving the dock is useful. Showing guests the lifejackets, fire extinguisher and other important equipment takes very little time.
Clear labels and a safety equipment plan can then make that information easier to remember.
Don't confuse practical safety labels with legal requirements
Safety marking requirements vary between countries, types of boats and how a vessel is used.
A recreational boat used privately may be subject to different requirements from a commercial or charter vessel.
The Hippo Marine kit is designed as a practical identification system for safety equipment onboard. It should not be considered a replacement for any labels, signs or equipment required by applicable regulations.
A simple question before leaving the dock
Before your next trip, imagine that something happens and you need help from someone else onboard.
Ask yourself:
Could they find the safety equipment without asking me?
If the answer is no, spending a few minutes showing everyone where the equipment is stored – and clearly marking it – could make your boat easier for everyone onboard to understand.
The Hippo Marine Boat Safety Sticker Kit 7140 contains 48 safety stickers and a safety equipment plan that you can adapt to the equipment and layout of your own boat.
See Boat Safety Sticker Kit 7140
FAQ
What is the purpose of boat safety stickers?
Boat safety stickers identify important equipment and can help family, guests and crew find it more easily onboard.
What types of safety equipment should be marked on a boat?
This depends on the equipment carried onboard. Common examples include fire extinguishers, first aid kits, lifejackets, VHF radios, emergency beacons, battery switches, gas shutoffs and man-overboard equipment.
Where should a boat safety plan be placed?
Place it somewhere clearly visible and easily accessible. The best location depends on the layout of the boat and where people normally spend their time onboard.
Should I use every sticker in a boat safety sticker kit?
No. Use only the labels that correspond to equipment actually carried on your boat.
Are boat safety stickers required by law?
Requirements vary by country, boat type and use. A recreational safety sticker kit should not be considered a replacement for any markings or safety equipment required by applicable regulations.
Are boat safety stickers useful on small boats?
Yes. Even on smaller recreational and fishing boats, clear identification can make first aid, fire extinguishers, communication equipment and other safety gear easier for everyone onboard to locate.
