Decide and practise · Safety equipment for enclosed and open waters · NSW boat licence

Use the main checklist for a 5-metre runabout with one outboard. It will carry three people from Sydney Harbour onto open waters, staying 1 nautical mile from shore.

Step by step

Which checklist covers the planned trip?
The PWC checklist, because the boat has an outboardEnclosed waters only, because you launch in a harbourThe main powerboat checklist, including its open-water requirements
Show the solution
Choose for the vessel and the whole route. Leaving the harbour for open waters adds the open-water requirements.
What is the minimum fresh drinking water for three people on open waters?
Your answerlitres
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3 people × 2 litres each = at least 6 litres. Boating Handbook, pp. 53 and 57.
Which flare pack meets the open-water checklist?
One orange smoke and one red hand flareTwo orange smoke and two red hand flares, all within expiryTwo red hand flares only
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Carry two of each kind, even when staying within 2 nautical miles. Orange smoke is for day; red hand flares are for day or night.
Which recommended addition gives you two means of communication?
A marine radio and a mobile phone in a waterproof coverA whistle and a V sheet instead of any communications equipmentA phone and its spare charging cable
Show the solution
The handbook recommends two means, such as radio plus phone. At this 1-nautical-mile distance, EPIRB and radio carriage are recommended. For 2 nautical miles or more, use the stricter checklist reading and carry both; the descriptive text differs, so check the current TfNSW page.

Now on your own

Now prepare a 5.8-metre single-engine runabout for five people on open waters, 3 nautical miles from shore.

How many litres of fresh drinking water are required at minimum?
Your answerlitres
You have a PLB and mobile phone. What else is required for the offshore distance?
Nothing: they replace both required devicesOnly a second mobile phoneA registered, in-date 406 MHz EPIRB and a marine radio
Do you need paddles or oars with rowlocks on this boat?
No: paddles are only required on enclosed watersNo: an electric-start engine counts as two means of propulsionYes: it is up to 6 metres and has no second means of propulsion
How should you use the fitted kill switch lanyard?
Attach both ends to the boatConnect it between yourself and the engine's kill switchLeave it coiled beside the controls

Exercise: Pack for the whole trip

Step by step

Now on your own