Pre start checks
Author: Peter White
This Wiley Nautical article on pre-start boating checks is taken from Peter White's Powerboating Companion and covers
-What to check before you even put the boat in the water
-What to check onces the boat is in the water
Pre-boating checks:
•Health: you must be suitably fit – no alcohol or drugs
•Passage Plan – know where you are going. If you need advice read Passage Planning Companion
•Know the rules of the sea, charts, tides and weather
•Check ship radio works and that we know the channels
Pre-start checks
Before you even put the boat in the water, make sure you have:
•Protective clothing
•Personal buoyancy for everybody: lifejackets of the correct weight
•Fuel
•Fenders and lines
•Boat hook and paddles
•Food and water
•Charts and tide tables
•Weather report
•Eye protection
The keys and killcords. Once the boat is in the water:
- Safely stow all equipment, spare fuel and ropes
- Turn the electrics on where necessary
- Let the crew know what you plan to do
- Inspect engine, propeller and mounting
- Lower the engine if appropriate
- Start the engine
- Check cooling system: Tell Tale/instruments
- Check killcords are working correctly
- Ensure there are no obstructions to the propeller
- Test steering from lock to lock
- Decide how you are going to depart
- Check the direction of the wind and water
- Use killcord
- Look where you are going
- Engage brain
- Engage gear
Remember:
•P Power
•O Oil
•W Water
•E Electrics
•R pRopeller
Article taken from Powerboat Companion by Peter White
Copyright John Wiley & Sons 2007
.jpg)
