The first long weekend of the season, May 19-21, 2012 is a popular time for boaters to be on lake or ocean
water. Ensure your boat has the required safety gear before heading out on the water.
Here is a "Five F" memory aid for checking your safety gear:
<strong>Fire</strong> - fire extinguishers, do you have the correct number and have
they been serviced within the last year?<!--more-->
<strong>Flood</strong> - bilge pump and/or bailer
<strong>Flares</strong> - correct number for the size of your vessel and must be less than four
years old.
<strong>Flotation</strong> - life jackets or PFD's appropriate size for everyone on
board. Buoyant heaving line, ring buoy with line attached. Reboarding device if your vessel
freeboard is over 0.5m
<strong>Fog</strong> - navigation lights, sound signalling device, water proof flashlight,
anchor and line or manual propelling device.
You may want to check the <a title="Safe Boating Guide" href="http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-tp511-equipment-1140.htm#minimum_safety_equipment_requirements"
target="_blank">Safe Boating Guide</a> for the minimum requirements for your vessel.
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