Items to Keep on Your Boat for Safety

Boat · Originally published March 24, 2015 · Updated November 2026

Whether you run a pontoon on Table Rock Lake, a bass boat on Stockton or a runabout on Lake of the Ozarks, the gear you carry matters more than the boat you own. Some items are required by law. Others are simply what experienced boaters keep onboard because they have needed them before. Use this list as a pre-launch check, not a one-time shopping trip.

Required equipment: start with the rules

Required safety equipment is set by the U.S. Coast Guard and by state rules, and what applies to you depends on your boat's type, length and propulsion. Check the current requirements for your vessel before the season starts. Commonly required items include:

• A life jacket for each person onboard, in good condition, the right size and readily accessible (not sealed in packaging or buried under gear)
• A throwable flotation device such as a ring buoy or cushion, required on many boats
• A fire extinguisher, required on many motorboats
• A sound-producing device, like a horn or whistle
• Navigation lights if you are out between sunset and sunrise or in reduced visibility

Many boats also need visual distress signals on certain waters, and your registration and numbers must be current. If you are not sure what your boat needs, ask the dealer, a marina or your state's boating authority.

Smart extras most boaters carry

These are not always required, but they solve the problems that actually come up on the water:

• Anchor and enough line for the depth where you boat, so you can hold position if the engine quits
• Paddle or oar to move away from a dock or shoreline
• Bilge pump or bailer, plus spare fuses for electrical pumps
• First aid kit with sunscreen, bandages and any personal medications
• Dock lines and fenders
• Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries
• Charged phone in a waterproof case, and a marine radio if you go far from the marina
• Basic tool kit, spare drain plug and a spare prop if your boat allows it
• Drinking water and a way to shade passengers

Keep it ready, not just onboard

Gear only helps if it works. At the start of each season, and every few trips after that:

• Check life jackets for torn straps, broken buckles or waterlogged foam, and make sure kids' jackets still fit
• Look at the fire extinguisher gauge and inspection date
• Test navigation lights and the horn before you need them
• Restock the first aid kit and replace dead batteries
• Store everything in the same place every time so any passenger can find it

Tell your passengers where the life jackets, extinguisher and throwable are before you leave the dock. It takes a minute and it matters most in an emergency.

Boater education in Missouri

If you were born after January 1, 1984, Missouri requires you to complete an approved boater education course before operating a vessel on Missouri lakes. The Missouri State Highway Patrol oversees boating safety and education. Even if you are exempt, a course is a good refresher on rules of the road and emergency procedures.

Where insurance fits in

Safety gear lowers the odds of a bad day. Boat insurance helps when one happens anyway, covering things like damage to your boat, injuries to passengers and liability if you hit another boat or a dock. If you pull skiers or tubers, read about liability when towing skiers. We write a lot of policies for boats on Table Rock Lake and Grand Lake, and we can help you match coverage to how and where you use yours.

Talk to a local agent

Want to review your boat coverage before the season? Call us at 417.865.4800 or request a quote on our boat insurance page.

Common questions

Do I need a life jacket for every passenger, including adults?

Yes, the commonly required rule is one suitable, accessible life jacket for each person onboard, regardless of age. Children may have additional wear requirements under state rules.

Is a fire extinguisher required on my pontoon?

Many motorboats are required to carry one, depending on the boat's construction and size. Check the U.S. Coast Guard and state requirements for your specific boat.

Does having extra safety gear lower my boat insurance rate?

It depends on the company. Some insurers offer credits for things like completing a boating safety course, so it is worth asking when you get a quote.

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