Offshore Safety Survey

This survey asked readers questions about the types of safety gear they carry, formal boating training and other safety-related topics.

A total of 11 surveys were submitted.


How far offshore do you go on a typical trip?

36%

Less than 5 miles

18%

Less than 10 miles

27%

Less than 30 miles

9%

Less than 60 miles

9%

60 miles or more

Do you travel offshore at night in your boat?

64%

No

36%

Yes

Do you use any of these when preparing for a trip offshore?

27%

Checklists

64%

Float plans

What is the highest level of boating safety course you have taken?

91%

None

9%

USCG Auxiliary or US Power Squadron

0%

Commercial Operator (Captain's) license

What rating are your primary Personal Floation Devices?

9%

SOLAS

0%

USCG Type I

18%

USCG Type II

55%

USCG Type III

18%

USCG Type V

Are your primary Personal Floation Devices inflatables?

82%

No

0%

Yes, manual ripcord

18%

Yes, automatic inflation

Check all of the items you have on your boat:

82%

Throwable life preserver

0%

Recovery sling

0%

SOLAS flares

82%

USCG flares

45%

Signal flags

0%

Dye markers

18%

EPIRB

0%

Personal Locator
Beacon (PLB)

55%

Signal mirror

82%

First Aid kit

45%

Hand held VHF radio

36%

Hole plugs

45%

Tethers

64%

Manual bailing device

64%

Electric bilge pump

45%

Extra flares

9%

Radar reflector

45%

Sea anchor

0%

Advanced first aid equipment (defribrillator, etc.)

36%

Secondary anchor

82%

Fire extinguisher

55%

Secondary horn

18%

High water bilge alarm

9%

Life raft

18%

Water maker

9%

Space blankets

27%

Ditch bag

36%

Extra food and water

Other safety gear:
GPS, oars, whistles on life vests


Check all of the communications equipment you have on your boat:

73% 

VHF radio

0% 

SSB radio

82%

Cell phone

0%

Satellite phone

9%

Satellite radio

0%

FRS radio
Other communications gear:
None listed

Check all of the things you carry spare parts for, or carry a replacement spare:

9% 

VHF radio

9% 

Radio antenna

45%

Motor parts

27%

Propeller

18%

GPS or Loran
Other gear that you carry spare parts or replacements spares for:
None listed

Do you have a secondary means of propulsion?

27%

No

45%

Electric motor

18%

Small gas motor (kicker)

0%

Twin large motors

9%

Oar or paddle

0%

Other
Other means of secondary propulsion:
None listed

Do you subscribe to a towing service?

55%

No

0%

Sea Tow

45%

Vessel Assist

0%

Other
Other towing service:
None listed

Check all of the following that apply to you:

64% 

I have completed a basic first aid course

64% 

I have completed a CPR course

18%

I have an advanced first aid certificate, such as EMT