Preparing The Boat For Sea

Once again the length of the trip will dictate the the amount of preparation required. Here our hypothetical boat is a regularly maintained, commercially coded school vessel being made ready to leave for a few hours of sailing in a sheltered bay before anchoring for lunch. The crew are all first time sailors.

Having previously prepared a plan for the morning the instructor or skipper generally briefs the crew as to where they are going and what to expect in terms of the weather and general sailing conditions. A number of tasks are then completed at the end of which the boat departs from the pontoon. The following is not a definitive list and the tasks do not necessarily have to be completed in the order given. Students are usually shown how and then encouraged to complete many of these tasks themselves.

 

Supplies and Equipment

Check that food and any equipment needed for the trip is aboard and properly stowed.

Tank and Battery Levels

Check the fuel tank, freshwater tanks, and battery levels to ensure there is sufficient reserves of each for the trip. Also check that there is sufficient gas and that the bottle is isolated.

Daily Engine Check

These include checking for signs of any leaks and recent malfunction, oil level, expansion tank or heat exchanger fresh water level, checking the seawater intake strainer for debris, alternator belt tension and that the engine seacock is open.

Sails, Lines and the Ensign

Remove and stowe sail covers, prepare all sheets and furling lines and ensure that both sails are ready to be hoisted (with a reef if need be) as soon as required. The ensign (identifying flag) is usually placed in a holder at the stern.

Hatches and Seacocks

Close and secure all hatches, windows and close any seacocks required.

Instruments, VHF Radio and Navigation Area

Remove all covers, switch on all necessary equipment, ensure it is operating correctly, switch on the vhf radio (including handheld) and carry out a radio check.

Charts and Log Book

The relevant charts along with any pilotage notes needed should be opened and accessible on the chart table. The log book should be prepared with with the date and any relevant information and sat ready on the chart table for it's first entry.

Engine start (at least ten minutes before departure)

Check that the gearbox is in nuetral. Start the engine and check that all guages and instruments are registering. Check that the battery volt meter is registering the correct charge and that water is coming from the engine exhaust oulet.The enigine is started at least ten minutes early because if it is going to fail, the firt ten to fifteen minutes after starting is the most likely time.

Clothing and Lifejackets

The crew now dress in suitable clothing and fit lifejackets. Also check that harnesses are accesible if required.

Departure Brief

The instructor or skipper should explain how the boat is going to leave the pontoon and what each crew member is required to do when the instruction is given as well as demonstrating how to convert or remove the shorelines as required prior to departure.
Preparation Safety Planning Getting Going Sailing Stopping!

"Boats, like whiskey, are all good"

-R.D. (Pete) Culler

W3C Valid XHTML
W3C Valid CSS