Almost like a house, there can be a great deal of equipment and provisions that can be usefully acquired to kit out a boat, and the longer the journeys and the further away from the coast you anticipate travelling, the more the more you may want or require.
Electronic devices are developing ever more rapidly and can transform your experience at sea with equipment such as Chartplotter, GPS, VHF Radio and Radio Scanner/AIS giving very detailed and convenient channels of communication and location information.
VHF Marine Radios
VHF marine radios are available in two types, handheld devices and fixed systems built into the cabin furniture.
For verbal communication on the water, a marine VHF radio with access to Channel 16 or DSC is the standard and there are a range of handheld marine radios that are suitable for everyday use and also for inclusion in an emergency grab bag - but be aware of the need to check the condition of the battery periodically.
The Icom IC-M87 Handheld VHF Radio is a compact, waterproof VHF PBR/Marine Handheld unit from a company dedicated to producing high-quality and reliable marine communications equipment with an emphasis on maintaining the balance between advanced radio technology and human interaction.
Compact and with a tough construction, the IC-M87 meets military standard requirements (MIL-STD) and is built to the same waterproof standard employed by the IC-M1EuroV and IC-M21.
The Icom IC-M87 can be used for both marine and basic PBR applications. A simple push of a button changes the operating band between marine and PBR channels. Up to 22 free channels are available for land use (146 V174 MHz). Wide/narrow channel spacing is programmable for each channel and CTCSS and DTCS signalling is built in.
Although aimed at commercial users, the IC-M87 is ideal for leisure boat users who want a premium-quality compact transceiver. The IC-M87 has an abundance of standard features including dual and triple watch, tag and priority scanning, an adjustable button-beep tone level, signal-strength indicator, sub-channel display and battery indicator.
All controls are large and easy to use and have been carefully designed and positioned to provide the simplest of user interfaces at all times on land or sea. Even when wearing gloves, the large buttons are easy to operate. In addition a large, clear backlit LCD and backlit buttons provide instant recognition of data and ensure reliable communication in any lighting conditions.
Coming with an extended 3-year warranty available, the IC-M87 is supplied with the BC-152 slow battery charger, BC-01 charger adapter, BP-227 Li-Ion battery pack, FA-S59V antenna, MB-79 belt clip and handbook. The BC-152 desktop charger can also be mounted on a wall and will accept various power sources such an AC adapter, cigarette lighter lead or DC power supply.
The Lowrance LVR-250E DSC VHF Radio is a fixed VHF radio system which gives high-quality performance from a company very well established in the marine electronics field and the LVR-250E can boast a fine roster of features:
Add a new level of safety and convenience to your vessel with the Garmin AIS 600 Transceiver. This black box AIS transceiver allows you to receive AIS target data as well as transmit your own vessel information to other AIS receivers in your area.
The AIS 600 aids in collision avoidance by helping you track and contact anyone in the area with an MMSI number. Whether you’re keeping in touch with mariners in the area or tracking other boats on a similar course, you’ll be able to share information between vessels for improved safety and greater confidence on the open waters.
The Garmin AIS 600 also employs ClearTrack technology, which ensures that there’s no interruption of AIS traffic position while the VHF radio is in use.
In addition, the AIS 600 integrates with a Garmin chartplotter and VHF radio via NMEA 2000, giving you the ability to initiate a call to any MMSI target directly from the chartplotter by selecting the ‘call with radio’ function.
The Garmin AIS 600 Transceiver is NMEA 2000 certified and is easily added to your existing Garmin marine network.
Once installed, the AIS 600 is controlled via chartplotter display. You'll have all the information you need right at your fingertips to make decisions with confidence. In addition, the AIS 600 comes with a built-in active splitter that allows one VHF antenna to serve both the AIS 600 and any VHF radio with minimal signal loss.
GPS
Garmin’s range of GPSMAP marine units is extensive and includes chartplotters, sounders, radar, wireless and wired handhelds, which all share GPS functionality.
The Garmin Montana 600 Handheld GPS Unit can be bought bundled with the Garmin g2 BlueChart featuring smooth layering and seamless integration of map graphics for easy panning, scrolling and zooming.
With rich colours and shading for easy interpretation and clear visibility, the Montana with g2 BlueChart gives boaters great navigation capabilities on the water.
But for land use, the Montana handheld can also be loaded with Garmin GB Discoverer for spoken, turn-by-turn driving directions or with Ordnance Survey mapping if you want to take it onto the trail.
The mid-sized Garmin GPSMAP 4010 in the Garmin 4000 series of chartplotters serves as an all-in-one nerve centre for the Garmin Marine Network. This chartplotter has crisp, video-quality resolution on a 26.4-cm diagonal SVGA display as well as a worldwide, satellite-enhanced basemap. By connecting to the Garmin Marine Network, you can add sonar, radar and video functionality.
For even more enhanced features and detailed regional cartography, you can add the optional BlueChart g2 Vision SD card to provide a whole new dimension of exceptional features to your chartplotter:
Solar panels can provide a very useful boost to a boat’s power supply but they need to be specifically designed for marine us. Durable, ultra-rollable and paper-thin, the impressive marine-grade Powerfilm Rollable Solar Panels can be fully rolled up, making them perfect for applications where extreme flexibility is important or where a very thin profile is needed.
Powerfilm panels can be walked on and are suitable for adhering to a firm surface using a PVA glue.
When out at sea, it is very natural to want to capture views of coastlines and other vessels but it is much more exciting to be able to take pictures of life under the water.
The new SeaLife DC1200 Underwater Digital Camera makes underwater photography easier than ever before.
Mystical sea creatures, vibrant colourful reefs or haunting wrecks from a bygone era, the DC1200 is the camera to catch them all. SeaLife’s 12-megapixel camera combines diver-friendly design and four underwater colour modes for sharp, colourful pictures underwater or on land.
SeaLife eliminated the typical button cluster on the back of the camera in favour of five thumb operated 'piano key' controls.
The large shutter button extends forward with a fingertip-control lever that allows scrolling through menus or zooming in and out without releasing your grip from the camera. This central command lever and the piano keys are making great underwater pictures and videos easier than ever before.
Expand the DC1200 with SeaLife's popular line of underwater accessories, including the Digital Pro Flashes and wide angle lens.
Anyone who goes out in a boat should take expert advice on what type of safety equipment they should have and this includes the lifebelt or buoyancy aid.
While a buoyancy aid is only intended to help prevent someone from being submersed if they are in any difficulty in the water, a lifejacket is designed to turn that person, whether conscious or unconscious, into a face-up position to help prevent the danger of drowning.
The Baltic Canoe Buoyancy Aid is a classic universal size canoe buoyancy aid for people from 40 to 130 kg made by a specialist marine safety company. Its features include reinforced shoulders and a drain mesh front pocket. This model is perfect for centre or hire use as the waist belt and crutch strap are sewn in so that they cannot be lost.
The Typhoon Edge 150 Automatic Lifejacket with Harness is designed to cope with every eventuality. It is a comfortable, fold-flat lifejacket which, once activated, opens up to reveal a highly visible internal lifejacket which conforms to EU standards with oral inflation option, whistle and high-visibility reflective tape.
In any emergency, even seemingly unsophisticated means of indicating location can prove very useful. The obvious one is a flare but even a whistle and a light can help a rescuer locate you more specifically once reasonably close.
Distress Flare
Flares have a long history in the marine environment and serve as useful a purpose now, whether a white flare to warn off other vessels, an orange smoke flare for daylight distress or a red flare for a distress signal.
The Ikaros Red Handheld Flare is used for short-range distress signalling on ships, lifeboats and liferafts. This type of flare is also the best pinpoint signal for pleasure craft.
The case is made of corrosion-resistant steel and the flare is supplied with clear and simple instructions.
Ikaros handheld flares are designed to give maximum output in a minimum size.
The flare compositions are developed from the Ikaros parachute flare, which is widely considered to be the best in the world. Ikaros handheld flares are approved globally and meet the latest SOLAS 74/96 regulations.
Specification
These Flare Packs are designed to provide for the needs of seafarers of all kinds who can match the contents of the different packs to their needs given the intended scale of their trips.
Check the details in the different sections below for what type of Ikaros flare is used for what type of situation so that you can choose the most appropriate pack for your needs.
RORC Flare Packs
RORC Distress Flare Pack (FLR5620)
The Peli StealthLite 2400 Waterproof Torch features a Laser Spot xenon lamp module that gives an unsurpassed white collimated beam that can cut through water, smoke, fog and rain, making it a perfect light source for all applications.
Food rations for the abandon ship grab bag need to be appropriate for the situation and Ocean Safety Barley Sugar Rations are quick-release sugar sweets with a 3-year life expectancy.
Fresh water is an absolute essential where people may be stranded on a lifeboat or marooned vessel for a period of time. A 10-litre plastic jerry can be stored beside the grab bag (but the water needs to be kept fresh) or else there are smaller collapsible containers which can be stored in the grab bag and filled on demand.
Another essential is a first aid kit and the Care Plus Waterproof First Aid Kit has the obvious advantage of being contained within a dry bag, and the SOLAS Liferaft/Lifeboat First Aid Kit is also supplied in a waterproof container.
Finally, it is extremely useful to be aware in advance of any medical conditions of the people on the vessel and to have any appropriate prescription medicines to be able to offer these people if necessary.
Less specific items that would be useful to have might include a protective against sunburn such as Care Plus Skin-Saver Gel Concentrate SPF30 and Hand Cleaner Towels so that the fresh water supply can be reserved for hydration.
Electronic devices are developing ever more rapidly and can transform your experience at sea with equipment such as Chartplotter, GPS, VHF Radio and Radio Scanner/AIS giving very detailed and convenient channels of communication and location information.
VHF Marine Radios
VHF marine radios are available in two types, handheld devices and fixed systems built into the cabin furniture.
For verbal communication on the water, a marine VHF radio with access to Channel 16 or DSC is the standard and there are a range of handheld marine radios that are suitable for everyday use and also for inclusion in an emergency grab bag - but be aware of the need to check the condition of the battery periodically.
The Icom IC-M87 Handheld VHF Radio is a compact, waterproof VHF PBR/Marine Handheld unit from a company dedicated to producing high-quality and reliable marine communications equipment with an emphasis on maintaining the balance between advanced radio technology and human interaction.
Compact and with a tough construction, the IC-M87 meets military standard requirements (MIL-STD) and is built to the same waterproof standard employed by the IC-M1EuroV and IC-M21.
The Icom IC-M87 can be used for both marine and basic PBR applications. A simple push of a button changes the operating band between marine and PBR channels. Up to 22 free channels are available for land use (146 V174 MHz). Wide/narrow channel spacing is programmable for each channel and CTCSS and DTCS signalling is built in.
Although aimed at commercial users, the IC-M87 is ideal for leisure boat users who want a premium-quality compact transceiver. The IC-M87 has an abundance of standard features including dual and triple watch, tag and priority scanning, an adjustable button-beep tone level, signal-strength indicator, sub-channel display and battery indicator.
All controls are large and easy to use and have been carefully designed and positioned to provide the simplest of user interfaces at all times on land or sea. Even when wearing gloves, the large buttons are easy to operate. In addition a large, clear backlit LCD and backlit buttons provide instant recognition of data and ensure reliable communication in any lighting conditions.
Coming with an extended 3-year warranty available, the IC-M87 is supplied with the BC-152 slow battery charger, BC-01 charger adapter, BP-227 Li-Ion battery pack, FA-S59V antenna, MB-79 belt clip and handbook. The BC-152 desktop charger can also be mounted on a wall and will accept various power sources such an AC adapter, cigarette lighter lead or DC power supply.
The Lowrance LVR-250E DSC VHF Radio is a fixed VHF radio system which gives high-quality performance from a company very well established in the marine electronics field and the LVR-250E can boast a fine roster of features:
- Display: 1 x 1.8 (2.6 x 4.6 cm) LCD channel/function display with backlighting
- 25 watts transmit power, 1 watt low power mode
- Full DSC Class D/SC-101 automatic distress operation with high-resolution position polling and group calling via NMEA 0183 output to chartplotters
- Immediate GPS boat position and time when connected to a compatible GPS chartplotter
- Channel naming
- Weather alert
- Six tactile microphone keys with WX key, powerful speaker and easy left- or right-handed control
- Rotary channel control with press to enter
- Super-large 16/9 calling channel key
- Three favourites channel mode with scan
- Local/distant feature eliminates interference
- Selectable dual and tri-watch modes
- 3W external speaker and GPS interface jacks
- Case and microphone fully waterproof (JIS 7 submersible)
- All available USA, Canadian, international and 10 weather marine channels with channel naming
- Flush-mount kit and dust cover included
- 12 V DC operation
- Solid reliability
Add a new level of safety and convenience to your vessel with the Garmin AIS 600 Transceiver. This black box AIS transceiver allows you to receive AIS target data as well as transmit your own vessel information to other AIS receivers in your area.
The AIS 600 aids in collision avoidance by helping you track and contact anyone in the area with an MMSI number. Whether you’re keeping in touch with mariners in the area or tracking other boats on a similar course, you’ll be able to share information between vessels for improved safety and greater confidence on the open waters.
The Garmin AIS 600 also employs ClearTrack technology, which ensures that there’s no interruption of AIS traffic position while the VHF radio is in use.
In addition, the AIS 600 integrates with a Garmin chartplotter and VHF radio via NMEA 2000, giving you the ability to initiate a call to any MMSI target directly from the chartplotter by selecting the ‘call with radio’ function.
The Garmin AIS 600 Transceiver is NMEA 2000 certified and is easily added to your existing Garmin marine network.
Once installed, the AIS 600 is controlled via chartplotter display. You'll have all the information you need right at your fingertips to make decisions with confidence. In addition, the AIS 600 comes with a built-in active splitter that allows one VHF antenna to serve both the AIS 600 and any VHF radio with minimal signal loss.
GPS
Garmin’s range of GPSMAP marine units is extensive and includes chartplotters, sounders, radar, wireless and wired handhelds, which all share GPS functionality.
The Garmin Montana 600 Handheld GPS Unit can be bought bundled with the Garmin g2 BlueChart featuring smooth layering and seamless integration of map graphics for easy panning, scrolling and zooming.
With rich colours and shading for easy interpretation and clear visibility, the Montana with g2 BlueChart gives boaters great navigation capabilities on the water.
But for land use, the Montana handheld can also be loaded with Garmin GB Discoverer for spoken, turn-by-turn driving directions or with Ordnance Survey mapping if you want to take it onto the trail.
The mid-sized Garmin GPSMAP 4010 in the Garmin 4000 series of chartplotters serves as an all-in-one nerve centre for the Garmin Marine Network. This chartplotter has crisp, video-quality resolution on a 26.4-cm diagonal SVGA display as well as a worldwide, satellite-enhanced basemap. By connecting to the Garmin Marine Network, you can add sonar, radar and video functionality.
For even more enhanced features and detailed regional cartography, you can add the optional BlueChart g2 Vision SD card to provide a whole new dimension of exceptional features to your chartplotter:
- Choose to view 3-D map information at MarinerEye view above the waterline or FishEye view below the water.
- See high-resolution satellite images and aerial photographs to help you orientate yourself in unfamiliar areas.
- Let Auto Guidance technology search through all relevant charts to automatically create a route from where you are to your destination, avoiding charted obstacles, shallow water, buoys and other obstructions. Just click on your destination and the 4010 does the rest.
Solar panels can provide a very useful boost to a boat’s power supply but they need to be specifically designed for marine us. Durable, ultra-rollable and paper-thin, the impressive marine-grade Powerfilm Rollable Solar Panels can be fully rolled up, making them perfect for applications where extreme flexibility is important or where a very thin profile is needed.
Powerfilm panels can be walked on and are suitable for adhering to a firm surface using a PVA glue.
- Integrated with fabric backing for enhanced product functionality, these panels perform well in diverse environments, including hot sun
- Cadmium-free
- Panels comes in storage tube with 15-ft long 12V battery connector
- Blocking diodes fitted
- Powerfilm solar panels are monolithically integrated, eliminating need for damage-prone manual connections of individual solar cells
- 5-year output warranty
When out at sea, it is very natural to want to capture views of coastlines and other vessels but it is much more exciting to be able to take pictures of life under the water.
The new SeaLife DC1200 Underwater Digital Camera makes underwater photography easier than ever before.
Mystical sea creatures, vibrant colourful reefs or haunting wrecks from a bygone era, the DC1200 is the camera to catch them all. SeaLife’s 12-megapixel camera combines diver-friendly design and four underwater colour modes for sharp, colourful pictures underwater or on land.
SeaLife eliminated the typical button cluster on the back of the camera in favour of five thumb operated 'piano key' controls.
The large shutter button extends forward with a fingertip-control lever that allows scrolling through menus or zooming in and out without releasing your grip from the camera. This central command lever and the piano keys are making great underwater pictures and videos easier than ever before.
Expand the DC1200 with SeaLife's popular line of underwater accessories, including the Digital Pro Flashes and wide angle lens.
- Automatic focus from 4 inches to infinity
- Record 2+ hours of sharp, colourful video with sound when using 4GB SD memory card
- Depth-tested to 200 ft
- Fully rubber armoured for shock protection
- Full 1-year warranty covers underwater housing and camera
Anyone who goes out in a boat should take expert advice on what type of safety equipment they should have and this includes the lifebelt or buoyancy aid.
While a buoyancy aid is only intended to help prevent someone from being submersed if they are in any difficulty in the water, a lifejacket is designed to turn that person, whether conscious or unconscious, into a face-up position to help prevent the danger of drowning.
The Baltic Canoe Buoyancy Aid is a classic universal size canoe buoyancy aid for people from 40 to 130 kg made by a specialist marine safety company. Its features include reinforced shoulders and a drain mesh front pocket. This model is perfect for centre or hire use as the waist belt and crutch strap are sewn in so that they cannot be lost.
The Typhoon Edge 150 Automatic Lifejacket with Harness is designed to cope with every eventuality. It is a comfortable, fold-flat lifejacket which, once activated, opens up to reveal a highly visible internal lifejacket which conforms to EU standards with oral inflation option, whistle and high-visibility reflective tape.
In any emergency, even seemingly unsophisticated means of indicating location can prove very useful. The obvious one is a flare but even a whistle and a light can help a rescuer locate you more specifically once reasonably close.
Distress Flare
Flares have a long history in the marine environment and serve as useful a purpose now, whether a white flare to warn off other vessels, an orange smoke flare for daylight distress or a red flare for a distress signal.
The Ikaros Red Handheld Flare is used for short-range distress signalling on ships, lifeboats and liferafts. This type of flare is also the best pinpoint signal for pleasure craft.
The case is made of corrosion-resistant steel and the flare is supplied with clear and simple instructions.
Ikaros handheld flares are designed to give maximum output in a minimum size.
The flare compositions are developed from the Ikaros parachute flare, which is widely considered to be the best in the world. Ikaros handheld flares are approved globally and meet the latest SOLAS 74/96 regulations.
Specification
- Light intensity: 15,000 cd
- Burning time: >60 sec
- Dimensions: 243 x 30 mm
- Weight: 235 g
These Flare Packs are designed to provide for the needs of seafarers of all kinds who can match the contents of the different packs to their needs given the intended scale of their trips.
Check the details in the different sections below for what type of Ikaros flare is used for what type of situation so that you can choose the most appropriate pack for your needs.
RORC Flare Packs
RORC Distress Flare Pack (FLR5620)
- 4 x Red Parachute
- 4 x Red Handheld
- 4 x White Handheld
- 2 x Smoke
- 4 x Red Parachute
- 4 x Red Handheld
- 2 x Smoke
- 2 x Red Parachute
- 2 x Red Handheld
- 2 x Smoke
- 2 x Red Handheld
- 2 x Smoke
- 3 x White Handheld
The Peli StealthLite 2400 Waterproof Torch features a Laser Spot xenon lamp module that gives an unsurpassed white collimated beam that can cut through water, smoke, fog and rain, making it a perfect light source for all applications.
Food rations for the abandon ship grab bag need to be appropriate for the situation and Ocean Safety Barley Sugar Rations are quick-release sugar sweets with a 3-year life expectancy.
Fresh water is an absolute essential where people may be stranded on a lifeboat or marooned vessel for a period of time. A 10-litre plastic jerry can be stored beside the grab bag (but the water needs to be kept fresh) or else there are smaller collapsible containers which can be stored in the grab bag and filled on demand.
Another essential is a first aid kit and the Care Plus Waterproof First Aid Kit has the obvious advantage of being contained within a dry bag, and the SOLAS Liferaft/Lifeboat First Aid Kit is also supplied in a waterproof container.
Finally, it is extremely useful to be aware in advance of any medical conditions of the people on the vessel and to have any appropriate prescription medicines to be able to offer these people if necessary.
Less specific items that would be useful to have might include a protective against sunburn such as Care Plus Skin-Saver Gel Concentrate SPF30 and Hand Cleaner Towels so that the fresh water supply can be reserved for hydration.