Do you want to spend a day out on that pristine blue water and make the most of it? Of course, you do!
But, it is essential to have a checklist of all the necessary boating supplies to ensure a safe and smooth ride without being stranded anywhere. So, here is a list of some prerequisites for pre-departure, departure, and returning to the dock; following these will guarantee the best boating experience.
Things to ensure before departing from the dock
- Investigate the weather reports along with the tides and currents of the water in which you’re going to sail.
- Register for a float plan with an acquaintance describing your equipment, vessel, passengers, crew, and the voyage itinerary.
- Identify those on-board non-swimmers and supply them with well-fitted life jackets.
- Ensure there is a second-in-command officer as a safety measure for skipper’s incapacitation.
- Acquaint your crew members with the necessary Coast Guard safety measures including outdoor products like:
- Throwable flotation or lifesling with immediate accessibility
- Guide to use those fire extinguishers – pulling its pin, aiming that fire extinguishing spray, and squeezing its two handles in synchronisation at the bottom of the flames.
- Make sure that the Navigation Lights are working properly
- Identify the necessity for additional boating supplies and gears including VHF Radio. Demonstrate to two persons at least how to transmit or select Channel 16, the marine radio frequency. It also consists of other necessities like turning on your boat’s GPS and ensuring the immediate use of rode and anchor.
- Demonstrate your vessel’s engine shutdown procedures
What to see before and after the engine starts?
- Visually inspect for loose items or leaks
- Check its lubricating oil and fuel level
- Verify that safety lanyard is in the right position
- Check the engine temperature, volts, and its oil pressure
What do you need to make sure when the boat is sailing?
- Try to avoid alcoholic drinks if you are holding the skipper’s position
- Use weather stations on VHF Radio and keep a watch on wind speed changes or cloud formations.
- Monitoring fuel consumption with the rule of three-thirds, that is, 1/3rdoutbound, 1/3rd inbound, and 1/3rd reserve
- Acquire adequate information about the waters you’re navigating. Having essential boating supplies like local nautical charts for reference and staying within those marked channels is the right way to ensure safety.
Precautions while returning to your dock and completing some formalities after you’re done sailing
- Proper boat anchorage with spring lines, fenders, bow, and stern is essential. So, ensure those snubbers are in their place, and the chafe is protecting the lines.
- The alarms, clocks, and bilge pump are on.
- Outdoor products like stereo, VHF, and others are off.
- Everyone on-board has filled the logbook along with signature and date
- Contact the person with whom you have filed the float plan and ensure to close it.
This checklist will make sure that the seafarer enthusiasts have safe boating experiences and seamanship. So, do not falter on these pointers while sailing!
Contact :
Anchor Express
1 Cabot Place
Suite 7
United States
MA, Stoughton – 02072
Phone – 18668882624301
