Vessel under Polish flag: what is the mandatory safety equipment?
Is a life raft required under the Polish flag?
Have you chosen a Polish registration for your motorboat or sailboat, and are you preparing to set sail? Sea rescue equipment, navigation gear, signaling devices, communication devices, fire protection systems, onboard equipment… The Bateau-immatriculation.com team reviews the mandatory safety equipment to carry under the Polish flag.
Would you like information about the Polish flag? Find our article on the advantages and disadvantages of registering your boat under the Polish flag
The regulation of February 28, 2012, of the Polish Ministry of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy: the equivalent of the Polish Division 240
This is the reference text. Regarding the safety conditions for the navigation of "sea yachts," the regulatory document defines the mandatory safety equipment under the Polish flag, based on two main criteria: the length of the vessels and the navigation zone concerned. Two distinct cases are presented: that of pleasure craft with a length of less than 24 meters and that of pleasure craft with a length equal to or greater than 24 meters.
Safety equipment for vessels up to 24 meters in length
First of all, it must be known that the list of safety equipment to carry when sailing under the Polish flag differs according to the planned navigation zone. Thus, depending on your distance from a shelter, the mandatory safety equipment to have on board your vessel will not be the same.
To help you define the mandatory safety equipment to carry, we will detail below the list of equipment common to all boats with a hull length of less than 24 meters flying the Polish flag. Then, we will explain what equipment must be carried in addition, depending on the intended distance.
Common equipment without distinction of distance from a shelter for boats less than 24 meters under the Polish flag
The mandatory safety equipment for vessels under the Polish flag measuring less than 24 meters in hull length includes several categories: navigation equipment, rescue devices, signaling and radiocommunication equipment, fire protection systems, as well as onboard equipment.
For all vessels under the Polish flag of less than 24 meters, here is the list of equipment mandatory to have on board, regardless of the navigation zone:
Navigation equipment
- A magnetic compass certified by an approved body
- A pair of binoculars
- A set for working on nautical charts
- Nautical charts of the areas in which navigation takes place, up to date and corrected. If these are held in digital format, the skipper must have paper versions or a duplication of the system.
- A list of maritime lights, in the context of voyages lasting more than 24 hours.
- The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or COLREGs
- For vessels with a gross tonnage of less than 200, a radar reflector certified and installed in accordance with regulations
Signaling equipment
To be able to signal to other users in case of need, the skipper of a vessel under 24 meters must be equipped with appropriate gear. They must equip their unit with a masthead light, day shapes, and signaling equipment that comply with the requirements of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea under the Law of August 18, 2011, on maritime safety.
Yachts sailing under supervision are exempt from the obligation to present signaling equipment.
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Radiocommunication equipment
The skipper is required to carry at least one VHF device, near which emergency call procedures must be detailed. They must have the possibility to consult and receive weather forecasts and warnings.
Fire protection systems
The obligation to equip oneself with fire protection equipment does not apply to vessels without an engine, without an electrical installation, and not equipped with a stove. For all other vessels under 24 meters long under the Polish flag, the minimum fire protection equipment includes:
- 1 x 2 kg ABC fire extinguisher for the main helm or cockpit
- 1 x 2 kg ABC fire extinguisher for every 20 m² of living area, or for each compartment separated from the rest of the vessel by fixed bulkheads
- 1 x 2 kg ABC fire extinguisher or a fire blanket and 1 x 1 kg ABC fire extinguisher for each open-flame appliance (but if the space has control stations or a cockpit and serves as a living space with an open-flame device, the extinguisher already provided for this compartment is sufficient)
- 1 x 2 kg ABC fire extinguisher if the vessel is equipped with an outboard motor (but if it is located inside the control station or cockpit, the one provided for this space is also sufficient)
- 1 x 4 kg ABC fire extinguisher or 2 x 2 kg ABC fire extinguishers for vessels equipped with engine(s) with a total power of up to 120 kW; or 2 x 4 kg ABC fire extinguishers if the total power of the engine(s) is greater than 120 kW. These pieces of equipment must be placed outside the engine compartment, but within 2 meters of the extinguishing opening in the engine casing
Each fire extinguishing device must be easily accessible, marked with the appropriate ISO symbol, and subject to periodic inspections. The vessel must, in addition, be equipped with instructions for the captain and the user, specifying in particular the various fire protection equipment carried, maintenance operations performed, and all additional necessary warnings.
If a fixed fire extinguishing system is used under the supervision of a classifier, portable extinguishers are not required.
Onboard equipment
Regardless of the vessel and its navigation zone, it is necessary to be equipped with anchoring gear adapted to the size and characteristics of the boat. This must be accompanied by chain or rope.
It is also mandatory to have a set of tools and spare parts on board necessary to carry out any repairs and, for sailboats with a hull length of more than 12 meters, shears capable of cutting the rigging. Finally, a first aid kit is also required.
Safety equipment for boats under 24 meters sailing less than 6 miles from a shelter
Rescue devices
To operate at sea, the skipper of a vessel is first required to carry equipment related to sea rescue. On their boat, they must have, at a minimum:
- Two lifebuoys: one with a light float and a mast topped with a flag, and a second with a rescue line
- An orange floating smoke signal
- A life jacket adapted for each person on board, equipped with lights if the planned voyage lasts longer than 24 hours. If inflatable life jackets are carried, they must be able to activate automatically when falling into the water. It is also necessary to have spare cartridges for at least 10% of the stock of inflatable life jackets and the number of people on board (whichever is greater). The number of spare cartridges on board must not be less than 1.
- 3 red parachute flares
Within 6 miles of a shelter, half of the people on board must be able to be equipped with a safety harness. If the life jackets provided for the crew members are equipped with a harness, there is no need to provide additional equipment.
Safety equipment for boats under 24 meters sailing between 6 and 20 miles from a shelter
Rescue devices
To sail under the Polish flag between 6 and 20 nautical miles from a shelter, the mandatory rescue devices to have on board are the same as above. However, beyond 6 miles from a shelter, all vessels must also be equipped with one or more inflatable life rafts so as to be able to accommodate, if necessary, all passengers. These life rafts must be certified, and the skipper must be able to present a valid certificate in case of inspection.
It will also be necessary to have 6 red parachute flares on board, and provide a harness for each passenger on board. If the life jackets are equipped with a harness, it is still not necessary to acquire additional equipment.
Navigation equipment
In addition to the list of navigation equipment mandatory for all boats under the Polish flag regardless of the navigation zone, the pleasure boater wishing to sail between 6 and 20 miles from a shelter must add:
- An aneroid barometer
- A book detailing the symbols and abbreviations used on nautical charts
- A satellite navigation system receiver, such as a GPS
- A tide table, if applicable to the navigation area concerned
- For vessels at least 20 meters long, a radar
Safety equipment for boats under 24 meters sailing between 20 and 200 miles from a shelter
Rescue devices
To sail in high seas and oceanic zones under the Polish flag, the same rescue equipment as above is required. An exception, however: red parachute flares, which must be at least twelve in number.
Navigation equipment
To the list of mandatory navigation equipment up to 20 miles from a shelter, the pleasure boater wishing to sail under the Polish flag at a distance of 20 to 200 miles from a shelter must add:
- A depth measurement system
- The International Code of Signals
- A chronometer
Radiocommunication equipment
In high-seas navigation up to 200 miles from a shelter, the vessel must be equipped with a fixed VHF with Digital Selective Calling (DSC). The crew must also have at least one 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). This must be registered in the register of onboard personal emergency signal transmitters.
Safety equipment for boats under 24 meters sailing more than 200 miles from a shelter
Rescue devices
They are the same as above. However, for vessels with a hull length greater than 15 meters sailing more than 200 miles from a shelter, the minimum number of lifebuoys is increased to 4.
Navigation equipment
A spare magnetic or bearing compass, also certified by an approved body, must be added to all the navigation equipment listed above.
Radiocommunication equipment
In addition to the equipment necessary for navigation zones closer to a shelter, the following must also be carried:
- A satellite terminal, or an MF/HF VHF with DSC system, or a satellite mobile phone with access to the emergency number of the Maritime Rescue Center
- A Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) or an AIS Search and Rescue Transponder (AIS SART).
Safety equipment for units with a hull length equal to or greater than 24 meters
Common safety equipment without distinction of distance from a shelter for all boats 24 meters or more
First, there is the safety equipment that must be held by all boats 24 meters or longer under the Polish flag, regardless of the planned navigation zone.
As with boats under 24 meters, several categories are distinguished: navigation equipment, rescue devices, signaling equipment, radiocommunication equipment, fire protection systems, and onboard equipment.
For all vessels under the Polish flag over 24 meters, here is the list of what is mandatory to carry.
Navigation equipment
- A magnetic compass
- A satellite navigation receiver system, such as a GPS
- An anemometer
- An inclinometer
- A rudder angle indicator
- An aneroid barometer
- A pair of binoculars
- An echo sounder
- Navigation instruments: navigation triangle, Cras ruler, and navigation compass
- Nautical charts of the regions concerned, up to date and corrected. If these are held in digital format, the skipper must have paper versions or a duplication of the system
- Pilot book
- A book detailing the list of maritime lights, in the context of voyages lasting more than 24 hours
- The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or COLREGs
- The International Code of Signals
- A radar
- For vessels with a gross tonnage of less than 200, a radar reflector certified and installed in accordance with regulations
Rescue devices
- A line-throwing kit (at least 2 projectiles and 2 lines)
- A life jacket adapted for each person on board, plus two spare life jackets or 10% of the total number of people on board, whichever is greater. All life jackets must be equipped with lights and whistles meeting the requirements of the LSA Code (International Life-Saving Appliance Code)
- Four lifebuoys: two buoys equipped with a smoke and light float (or two light beacons and two smoke beacons), and two buoys including a rescue line
- 6 red parachute flares
- Inflatable life rafts with SOLAS B equipment and hydrostatic release, capable of accommodating all persons on board
- A rescue boat complying with the requirements of the LSA Code, or any other rigid, inflatable, or rigid-hulled inflatable boat. This must have a capacity of at least 4 people, including one person lying down. A device allowing the boat to be launched within a maximum of 5 minutes must also be provided, as well as means for the crew to safely return to the vessel, or for the recovery of a shipwrecked person
Signaling equipment
The signaling equipment for pleasure craft at sea must comply with the approved Navigation Lights and Signaling Signs Layout Plan, meeting the requirements of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, referred to in Article 5, paragraph 33, point a) of the Law of August 18, 2011, on maritime safety.
It is also mandatory to carry spare navigation lights on board.
Radiocommunication equipment
- A fixed VHF with Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
- A 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) registered in the register of onboard personal emergency signal transmitters
- A Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) or an AIS Search and Rescue Transponder (AIS SAR)
- 2 two-way radiotelephones
- A radio receiver adapted to receive weather forecasts and navigation warnings in the area in which the vessel is operating
Fire protection systems
Regarding fire protection on board a vessel under the Polish flag over 24 meters, several general rules apply:
A group of rooms with a total area of up to 50 m² can be equipped with a single extinguisher per corridor, provided that the various spaces all open onto one and the same corridor. If there are several extinguishers in one and the same room, at least one of these extinguishers must be located near the entrance.
Fire protection equipment must be located in a readily accessible and visible place, protected from weather and vibrations. Near electrical and electronic devices essential for ship safety, fire extinguishers must include a fire-extinguishing medium that is neither electrically conductive nor harmful to the equipment and appliances.
Fire extinguishers must not be located within one meter of a potential source of fire. They must be marked with photoluminescent symbols, certified by an approved body, and, of course, kept in good working order, ready for use at sea or in port. Each fire extinguisher must be equipped with a device indicating that it has been discharged after use.
In category A machinery spaces, fire extinguishers must be placed so that they are no more than 10 meters apart.
For ships under the Polish flag with a gross tonnage of less than 500
It is mandatory to have on board a ship more than 24 meters in length with a gross tonnage of less than 500, at least one powder or CO2 fire extinguisher with a capacity of at least 5 kg, or a foam fire extinguisher with a capacity of at least 9 liters. The mass of a portable fire extinguisher must not exceed 23 kg, and its extinguishing capacity must be at least equivalent to that of a 9-liter liquid fire extinguisher. The extinguishing medium used in the fire extinguisher must be suitable for the class of fire that may occur in the space for which the fire extinguisher is intended. The number and type of fire extinguishers shall be determined in the Fire Protection Plan.
Pressure hoses and universal nozzles must also be provided, in a number at least equal to the number of fire hydrant valves installed on the ship. Finally, it is also necessary to be equipped with two fire blankets, a fire axe and a crowbar, as well as a pair of fireproof gloves.
Internal inspections of fire protection equipment must be carried out by the captain or a designated crew member, on a regular and diligent basis, every 3 months. Each inspection carried out must be recorded.
With a gross tonnage of 500 or more
The mandatory fire protection equipment to be carried under the Polish flag on board a ship more than 24 meters in length and with a gross tonnage of 500 or more is defined in Article 4 of the SOLAS Convention of the Act of August 18, 2011 on maritime safety.
On board these ships too, it will be necessary to regularly check fire protection equipment and keep it in good working order, ready for immediate use. An officer in charge of these operations will be designated by the ship's captain in accordance with the Maintenance and Survey Plan.
Safety equipment for boats of 24 meters or more, sailing more than 20 miles from shelter
For owners of ships under the Polish flag who wish to sail at a distance greater than 20 nautical miles from shelter, the safety equipment must be supplemented. There are variations in the equipment to be carried and elements to be added to the list of safety equipment previously presented.
Life-saving appliances
To venture beyond 20 nautical miles from shelter on board a ship of more than 24 meters under the Polish flag, the same life-saving equipment as previously mentioned will be required. However, the inflatable life rafts must, this time, be SOLAS A equipped. Another difference: the number of red parachute flares required to sail under the Polish flag more than 20 miles from shelter is 12.
Finally, if the ship's master intends to sail in areas located above the 60° N parallel or below the 60° S parallel, the Director of the Maritime Office will individually determine the additional equipment necessary for the voyage.
Navigation equipment
In addition to the previous equipment, the navigator wishing to operate under the Polish flag beyond 20 miles from shelter must carry:
- A gyrocompass or a backup magnetic compass
- A second satellite navigation receiver system
- An additional pair of binoculars
- A tide table, if applicable to the navigation area concerned
- An AIS system, for units of 300 gross tonnage or more
Radiocommunication equipment
To sail in offshore or oceanic zones, in addition to the previous list, it will be necessary to equip your ship with a satellite terminal, an MF/HF radiotelephone with DSC system, or a satellite mobile phone with access to an emergency number.
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