Boats For Sale in Oklahoma: What Safety Accessories Should Be Onboard?

When looking at new boats for sale in Oklahoma, buyers will often have a set of questions in mind. With the myriad options available, it can be both exciting and overwhelming to think about the sort of  accessories one could add to—and keep in the boat. Whenever boating safety is concerned, however, there are a few boating accessories that you should never do without. 

Personal floatation devices

Personal floatation devices or PFDs are lifejackets or buoyancy aids designed to keep you afloat in the water. The main types of PFDs are foam-only buoyancy, air-only buoyancy, and air foam buoyancy. The type that you should put on your boat will depend on the type of boating activity you do and how far you will generally be from the shore most of the time.

Bells and whistles

Any boat shorter than 40 feet should have onboard a reliable loud sound-producing device such as a bell or a whistle. Boats over 40 feet long, however, are required to have both a bell AND a whistle. Boating bells are required to have a mouth that’s at least 7.87 inches in diameter, while boating whistles should be audible for one nautical mile.

Visual distress signals

Visual distress signals are required for boats that sail on Coastal Waters, the Great Lakes, and the high seas. Boats lesser than 16 ft. are required to carry approved visual distress signals for night use. Meanwhile, boats over 16 ft. must have onboard visual distress signals fit for both daytime and nighttime.

Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers meant for boating must first be approved by the Coast Guard. All motorized boats 26 ft. or over in length must always have a Type B fire extinguisher onboard. However, fire extinguishers may also be required of boats less than 26 ft. if the vessel permits the entrapment of explosive or flammable vapors and gases, and if it carries permanent fuel tanks. Depending on its length, a boat may be required to have two or more fire extinguishers on board.

If you want to learn more about the law requirements regarding the accessories you should have on your boat, or if you simply want to purchase them, visit trusted boat dealers in Oklahoma like Whites Marine Center.

(Source: U.S. COAST GUARD MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATIONAL BOATS, Boatsafe.com)