The length of a vessel is important to know when estimating:

• vessel carrying capacity
  
• the number of fire extinguishers to be carried
  
• when lifejackets are to be worn when in an open area of a vessel that is underway.

The length of vessel means the length of the hull (LH) and it determines the safety equipment requirements for your vessel. This includes all structural and integral parts of the craft, such as wooden, plastic or metal stem or sterns, bulwarks and hull/deck joints. This length excludes removable parts that can be detached in a non-destructive manner without affecting the structural integrity of the craft, for example, outboard motors, swimming platforms, bowsprits, fittings or attachments.

You are at heightened risk at all times when you are in an open area of a vessel that is underway and the vessel is up to and including 4.8 metres.