What major components must I legally carry to put my inland boat on Lake Michigan to fish near shore? I have the basics like fire ext, horn, life jackets. Must I also carry a marine band radio? What else? Thanks.
flares… whistle and/or horn I think. Check out boating reg books for whatever state you will be fishing – and/or coast guard rules…
Marine band radio I don’t think is necessary legally, BUT one HECK of a good idea – and a very small investment compared to everything else (including your life)… I wouldn’t go on the water without it.
Secondary power plant isn’t a bad idea, either. (e.g. kicker motor)
Flares and radio is the only thing missing. Have kicker. I’ve done this before and never stray far from land but I want to be legal should I get checked.
Throwable for sure… Flares- must have at least 3(they do have expiration dates on them) an anchor with 150 feet of rope is a good idea, would recommend a waterproof hand held marine radio. One that is installed in the boat won’t do you much good if the boat (god forbid) capsizes. I always carry a pair of side cutters with too, my instructions to ALL of the people I take with: if someone goes in the water- cut everything! Equipment is replaceable, human life isn’t… It may seem trivial to some, but when sh^# goes wrong, it goes wrong fast. Oh yeah- life jackets are required to be worn on my boat as well. Food for thought anyways…
Thanks guys. Again, I have done this a couple times and fishing around the mouth of the rivers is less stressful than Mille Lacs but I dont want it to be ruined by the law because I am missing one little thing. it’s gamble enough towing a boat all the way over there and counting on running fish by land.
A big drift sock isn’t a bad idea for safety, either.
If you lose power to your engine(s), and are caught in wind/storm, you can deploy the drift sock as a drag to at least keep your bow into the wind and hopefully keep from getting swamped.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
