Prior to trip
Plan your trip first. Check the weather conditions, tides and your chart. Work out where it is safe to travel and then look for areas you could go to anchor should the weather turn bad. Work out the distance to travel and how much fuel you need to take, allowing extra for safety. We work on at least 1/3 more fuel than we need for inshore operations. Extra when going offshore. It helps to know the fuel consumption of your vessel in smooth and rough conditions.
Calculate provisions required - include extra water.
Before Casting OffGet in the habit of performing these brief steps:
 | "Sniff" your bilges. Usually your nose is the best fuel/vapour detector. It will mean getting down on your hands and knees, but it's the best way to do it. |
| In larger vessels, operate the bilge blower for AT LEAST FOUR MINUTES before starting an inboard engine. If you still smell fumes, try to locate the source and make repairs before starting the engine. |
| Make sure the location of your fire extinguishers and safety equipment is known to all passengers and they know how to operate them. |
| When refuelling, close all hatches, ports and other openings; shut off all engines and motors; and refrain from smoking. Fill all portable tanks on the dock. Have a fire extinguisher nearby and remove all unnecessary people from the boat. Touch the fuel nozzle against a metal object away from your tanks to dissipate static electricity. |
| ENSURE THE FUEL NOZZLE STAYS IN CONTACT WITH THE EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK OPENING AT ALL TIMES WHILST REFUELLING TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF STATIC ELECTRICITY SPARKS IGNITING THE FUEL VAPOURS. |
| After refuelling, wipe up or wash off any excess or spilled fuel; open all hatches and ports; and let the boat air out. "Sniff" your bilges. Operate the bilge blower for at least four minutes before starting an inboard engine. |
| Check water supplies are adequate for your needs and taste it to ensure it is fresh. |
| Check the bungs are in or the sea cocks are closed |
| Think of were you left the trailer winch handle |
| Watch out for paper wasp nests in the water intake line and telltale outlet of your outboard. |
| Open air vent (portable tanks), or breather (inbuilt tanks) on fuel system. |
| For PWC's (jetskis), briefly start the PWC before you take it to the waters edge for launching. |
| For trailer boats, start and warm up engine once it is at the waters edge, before you take it off the trailer. Ensure the water cooling system intake is in the water (lower the outboard motor leg but be careful the props do not hit the concrete boat ramp) |
Batteries
Consider how long it has been since you used your boat and subsequently, your battery. Is the battery fully charged? Do you need to add water? Check the terminals are clean and with good contact. Ensure the leads are fitted tightly. You should always have your battery well tied down so it does not spill acid in your bilges. Batteries produce hydrogen so make sure your battery compartment is well ventilated. Hydrogen is explosive.
Safety Equipment
Safety Equipment should be checked for
| Compliance with the regulations |
| Use-by dates |
| Serviceability (don't allow life jackets to be used as cushions) |
| Deterioration (wash life jackets in fresh water and dry in the shade) |
| Effectiveness (eg are the batteries in your torch working?) |
| Accessible |
| Stowed in a waterproof buoyant container |
| That they are stowed IN THE BOAT! |
For More Information:
Contact us at info@boatlicence.com.au or
telephone on (07) 4125 3880