Kuwait Fire Service warns beachgoers: Equipment that could save your life

- 1 Monitor weather conditions and sea state

- 2 Inspect the boat and ensure its safety

- 3 Equip it with marine safety gear and ensure the efficiency of navigation and lighting systems

- 4 Ensure sufficient fuel and adequate supplies of water and food for the trip, in preparation for any emergency

- 5 Avoid restricted areas and ensure knowledge of coordinates

In the context of its ongoing efforts to enhance maritime safety and reduce accidents, the General Fireforce has called on citizens and residents who frequent the sea to adhere to a number of preventive and safety measures before setting sail, emphasizing that proper preparation and compliance with guidelines significantly contribute to protecting lives and property.

Major Ahmed Al-Mashmoom, from the Public Relations and Media Department of the General Fireforce, told Al-Rai that “maritime safety begins before leaving the marina, with the importance of monitoring weather conditions and sea state to ensure they are suitable for sailing, alongside inspecting the boat and verifying the integrity of its hull, engine functionality, and the efficiency of navigation and lighting equipment.”

He added, “It is essential to ensure sufficient fuel is available to complete the journey and return, perform regular maintenance on the boat, and provide basic trip necessities such as water and food, in preparation for any emergency.”

Al-Mashmoom stressed the necessity of equipping the boat with marine safety gear, foremost among which are life jackets for all passengers, distress signals and tools, a usable fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, as well as radio communication devices that ensure rapid contact with relevant authorities when needed.

He urged sea visitors to stay away from restricted areas and not to sail in them, while emphasizing the importance of continuously knowing the precise coordinates of the boat’s location, as this plays a crucial role in enabling rescue and maritime emergency teams to reach the site as quickly as possible in the event of an accident.

He affirmed that “adhering to these preventive guidelines enhances the safety of maritime trips and reduces risks, calling on everyone to exercise responsibility and not underestimate safety requirements to safeguard lives and property.”