Minimum First Aid Kit Guidance – Vessels, Life Rafts, and Type IV Floats.
Purpose
This guidance is provided to help vessel owners and operators understand minimum first aid kit expectations associated with vessels, life rafts, and Type IV flotation devices. Requirements may vary based on vessel type, flag state, operational area, and applicable code.
U.S. Guidance – Lifeboat / Survival Craft First Aid Kits
The U.S. Coast Guard has historically published detailed construction and contents guidance for lifeboat first aid kits, intended for use on merchant vessels and survival craft, including life rafts.
Reference Document (Guideline)
“First Aid Kit for Lifeboats” – Subpart 160.041 (Updated 2005)
This document outlines:
Watertight case construction standards
Environmental and durability testing
Labeling and approval requirements
A defined list of 24 required medical units
Official reference:
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/5ps/Design%20and%20Engineering%20Standards/Life%20Saving
Important Notes
This document is not a regulation by itself; it is a design and content standard referenced by approval and inspection frameworks.
While updated in 2005, it may not reflect newer international or flag-state specific requirements.
It remains a useful benchmark when evaluating survival-craft first aid kits carried with life rafts or emergency flotation equipment.
Minimum Contents (Summary – Lifeboat Standard)
Under Subpart 160.041, a compliant lifeboat first aid kit includes, at minimum:
Adhesive bandage compresses
Multiple sizes of sterile bandage compresses
Triangular bandages
Absorbent gauze compresses
Roller gauze bandages
Aluminum splint
Tourniquet
Eye dressing packets
Eye wash solution
Antiseptic swabs
Burn treatment compound
Ammonia inhalants
Aspirin (adult dosage)
Waterproof instructions permanently affixed inside the case
All items must be packaged to remain usable after salt spray, immersion, temperature extremes, and drop testing.
Type IV Flotation Devices – Practical Application
For Type IV throwable devices:
U.S. regulations do not explicitly mandate an attached first aid kit.
However, when a Type IV device is part of a life raft, survival platform, or emergency float system, the lifeboat standard is commonly used as the benchmark for onboard medical supplies.
Best practice:
Where space allows, carry a waterproof survival first aid kit meeting or exceeding the lifeboat standard.
MCA Sport Code (UK / International Operations)
For vessels operating under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA):
First aid kit requirements are defined separately under the MCA Sport Codes.
These standards differ in scope, contents, and medical expectations, particularly for commercially operated recreational vessels.
WE SHOULD CALL THIS SECTION “FIRST AID SUPPLIES” Supplementary Post that goes with the first one. MCA Sport Code – First Aid Kit Requirements
(Commercial Recreational Vessels)
Purpose
This guidance summarizes first aid kit requirements under the MCA Sport Codes for commercially operated recreational vessels. These requirements differ from U.S. Coast Guard guidance and are based on operational risk, distance from shore, and voyage category.
Governing Authority
The requirements below are derived from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Sport Codes, including:
MGN 280 (Small Commercial Vessel Code)
Subsequent Sport Code updates and consolidated guidance
The MCA places emphasis on medical preparedness proportional to risk, rather than a single universal kit.
General MCA Requirements (All Sport Code Vessels)
All vessels operating under the MCA Sport Codes must carry:
A suitable first aid kit
Contents appropriate to:
Number of persons onboard
Length of voyage
Distance from immediate medical assistance
Nature of operations (charter, racing, instruction, etc.)
The kit must be:
Readily accessible
Maintained in serviceable condition
Checked regularly with expired items replaced
Typical Minimum First Aid Kit Contents (Inshore / Near Coastal)
For vessels operating close to shore or within immediate assistance range, a typical MCA-compliant kit includes:
Sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes)
Sterile wound dressings (small and large)
Triangular bandages
Roller bandages
Sterile eye pads
Antiseptic wipes or solution
Burn dressings or burn gel
Scissors
Tweezers
Disposable gloves
CPR face shield or mask
First aid instruction leaflet
Note: Contents may be expanded based on vessel size and passenger count.
Offshore / Extended Range Operations
For vessels operating further offshore or where medical evacuation may be delayed, the MCA requires enhanced medical capability, which may include:
Additional sterile dressings and bandages
Thermal blankets
Splints
Eye irrigation solution
Seasickness medication
Pain relief (as permitted)
Medical log and treatment guidance
In some cases, a medical grab bag or secondary kit
The MCA may also require:
A designated person trained in First Aid at Sea
Compliance with coded vessel manning and training requirements
Life Rafts and Survival Craft (MCA)
For MCA-coded vessels:
Life rafts are required to carry survival equipment appropriate to the voyage category
This may include:
A basic first aid pack
Survival instructions
Additional medical items depending on raft type and approval standard
Unlike the USCG lifeboat standard, the MCA does not publish a single fixed contents list for all life rafts. Instead, approval is tied to:
Raft certification
Voyage category
Manufacturer approval standard
NOW THIS IS FOR USVI Vessels operating cat 3-6 in the USVI to be used as a guide.
USVI COMMERCIAL VESSELS
Minimum First Aid & Medical Stores Requirements
(USCG UPV + MCA Sport Code – Area Categories 3–6)
Applicability
This guidance applies to USVI commercial passenger vessels:
Operating as UPVs under the U.S. Coast Guard, and/or
Operating under MCA Sport Code certification
Operating not more than 20 miles offshore
Maximum persons onboard: 15
Regulatory Basis (Why This Applies)
U.S. Coast Guard UPV regulations require vessels to carry adequate first aid equipment appropriate to the operation, without prescribing an itemized list.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Sport Code requires vessels in Area Categories 3–6 to carry Category C medical stores, tied to operational risk and crew competence.
CVLA adopts a combined standard to ensure vessels meet both:
Minimum regulatory compliance, and
Modern life-threatening bleeding control expectations.
REQUIRED MEDICAL STANDARD – USVI (UP TO 20 NM)
1. Medical Stores Level
Minimum required:
Category C Medical Stores, maintained in-date and appropriate to the operation.
2. REQUIRED FIRST AID KIT
(Portable, Waterproof, Marine-Suitable)
Each vessel shall carry at least one portable waterproof first aid kit, readily accessible, containing at minimum the following:
CORE MCA CATEGORY C CONTENTS
4 × Triangular bandages
6 × Medium sterile bandages (unmedicated)
2 × Large sterile bandages (unmedicated)
2 × Extra-large sterile dressings
6 × Rustless safety pins
20 × Medicated elastic adhesive dressings
2 × Sterile eye pads with attachment
2 × Packages sterile gauze swabs
5 × Pairs disposable latex-free examination gloves
Sterile eye wash solution
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED ITEMS (USVI / UPV OPERATIONAL STANDARD)
In recognition of modern bleeding-control standards and common maritime injury risks, the following items are required for USVI commercial operations:
1 × Commercial-grade tourniquet (CAT, SOFT-T, or equivalent)
1 × Hemostatic wound-packing gauze (QuikClot, Celox, or equivalent)
Rationale:
While not itemized in the historic MCA Category C list, these items:
Are consistent with MCA’s risk-based intent
Are aligned with current first-aid training standards
Are appropriate for vessels operating with up to 15 persons onboard
Meet USCG expectations for “adequate” emergency medical equipment
3. FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS / MANUAL
Each vessel shall carry one of the following:
A recognized First Aid Manual (Red Cross, St. John, or equivalent), or
Waterproof first aid instructions suitable for marine use
Instructions must be readily accessible to crew.
4. QUANTITY & DISTRIBUTION (MAX 15 PERSONS)
Given a maximum of 15 persons onboard:
Minimum required:
1 fully equipped first aid kit as listed above
Recommended:
A second kit or trauma pouch at the helm or passenger area for rapid access
Kits should be readily accessible and not locked away
CREW RESPONSIBILITY
First aid kits and medical stores must be:
Maintained in-date
Replenished after use
Protected from moisture and contamination
Crew must be competent to provide basic first aid, including:
Bleeding control
Tourniquet use
Basic wound care
SUMMARY – CVLA ACCEPTED STANDARD
For USVI commercial vessels operating as UPVs or under MCA Sport Code certification (Area Categories 3–6, not more than 20 miles offshore, max 15 persons onboard):
Vessels shall carry:
Category C medical stores
A portable waterproof first aid kit containing the listed items
A tourniquet and hemostatic packing gauze
First aid instructions or a recognized manual
Proper onboard accessibility
This standard satisfies USCG UPV expectations, MCA Sport Code intent, and current maritime best practice.