1 - Life raft
The liferaft requires servicing every 3 years until it is 15 years old. To find out if it needs to be serviced, refer to the label that is affixed directly to the liferaft, either on the bag or on the container. To have the raft serviced, simply return it to the ship that sold it to you. He will then send it to a control center.
If your raft is equipped with a grab bag, you must check that its contents do not include items with expiration dates (medicine cabinet, food, etc.).
2 - Rockets
All pyrotechnic devices have a life span of 4 years. Flares, hand-held lights or smoke bombs which are used to signal in case of distress are generally sold in the form of a set. In this case, all the devices which compose the box have the same expiration date.
Please note that you should not throw the expired gear in a trash can, nor keep it on board (let alone have fun pulling it), you should return it to the store where you buy your new box.
3 - Beacons
The EPIRB or PLB beacons have a battery that has a life span of 5 to 10 years (depending on the brand and model). You will find the service date indicated on it. The revision and the change of the battery often require a return to the distributor.
The EPIRBs have a "test" mode that you can activate to verify the proper functioning of the device.
4 - Life jackets
If self-inflating life jackets are used on board, it is recommended that they be checked every 2 years. Be careful, triggers, whether they are hydrostatic or pellet systems, also have an expiration date (5 years for Hammar systems and 4 years for the others).
5 - Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers must be on board. Depending on the size and type of propulsion, the number and models vary. The lifespan and the periodicity of control of the extinguishers are fixed by the manufacturer. It is up to you to ensure that the dates of inspection are respected. Considering the price of the product (about 13,00 euros for a 1 kg model), we often change the product rather than revise it...
6 - VHF
The VHF is now part of the compulsory safety equipment (for semi-offshore and offshore categories, but strongly recommended for all categories). It is therefore necessary to check that it is working properly (by calling the port or a semaphore). If the boat is equipped with a portable VHF (compulsory for offshore categories), the battery must be well charged.
7 - Light systems
Whether it is the individual lights attached to each lifejacket or the on-board light attached to the buoy, they must all be in working order. At the beginning of the season, you should check the batteries or the expiration date of the Cyalume light sticks. At the same time, check the batteries of your headlamps and other on-board flashlights.
8 - Pharmacy
The medicine box meets very precise guidelines for its constitution. The elements that compose it are also subject to expiration dates.
9 - Bilge pump
The manual bilge pump is mandatory on board a boat. But on larger boats, it is often doubled by an electric pump. Before going to sea, it is important to check that all these dewatering solutions are in good condition to fulfill their role. This will also be an opportunity to clean the bottom by filling it with water before draining with the pump to check that it is functional.
10 - Navigation lights
Even if you don't plan to sail at night, you should have working headlights. It is a guarantee of safety if you have to return to port after dark. We check that the traffic lights (red, green and white) are working well, as well as the anchor light (white on 360°). The beam light will also be mandatory for motor sailing.
