Maintain Your Vessel

It is important to ensure your vessel is in good order by inspecting the key features of the vessel each time before you leave home or the ramp, mooring or wharf. The major causes of breakdown at sea are engine failure, fuel shortage or contamination, mechanical failure and battery failure.

The Vessel Checklist

On entering the vessel and before operating any switches or engines, check for petrol and/or LPG odours; fix any faults before you go out.
Ensure the vessel is well ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide build up from exhaust systems.
Inspect the bilges. If there is more bilge water than usual, find and rectify the fault. Note: when pumping bilges be aware of the environment. Polluting the waterways is an offence.
Check fuel, engine oil and coolant levels. Top up if required. Examine batteries, terminals etc. Do the same for the second engine if carried.
Check the fire extinguisher is in good condition.
Ensure there is sufficient fresh water and food for the length of the voyage with some extra in case of emergency.
Make sure your lights are in working order; it may be a daylight outing, but you could be delayed in returning.
Fuel should be fresh (not last year’s) and you should have enough fuel for the full trip plus reserve.
Self-draining holes should be clear.
Ropes and lines should be in good condition and stored ready for use.
Steering cables and connections must be in good working order.
Inspect the battery.
Check that appropriate anchors are on board and are properly rigged, stowed and ready for use.
Have one appropriate lifejacket for each person on board and accessible.
Children should have suitably-sized lifejackets and look at means of rigging lifelines in open areas so that children have enough handholds.
If you have a radio, make sure it is on and working. The best way to do this is to report the details for your vessel and voyage to a coast radio station or local base station.
Have up-to-date charts showing ports along your route.
Ensure you have a complete first aid kit.
Essential tools and spare parts should be in good condition.
Keep a sharp knife in a handy place; you may need it to cut ropes etc.
Have a rescue quoit or lifebuoy ready for use.
Have a whistle, mirror, marker dye, flares for emergency signalling.
Do not overload your vessel.
Don’t forget the bung!

Recommended Spare Parts

(minimum suggested items)
O = outboard powered vessels
I = inboard powered vessels
Y = yacht

Recommended Tool Kit

(minimum suggested items)

Motor Maintenance

Regular maintenance will ensure some of the following parts won’t let you down.

Water pump: replace regularly especially if you have been operating in the shallows and stirring sand or mud. Water pump impellors also deteriorate if not used for lengthy periods.
Fuel filters and lines: filters become clogged and lines can harden with age and exposure.
Propellers: the bushing of the propeller can fail especially if it has hit sand or rocks. Always carry a spare shear pin.
Spark plugs: plugs can break down unexpectedly. Carry spares.
Gear box oil: snagged fishing line on the drive shaft is a common cause of leaking gear box seals. Water in the gear box will eventually cause it to fail. Regular oil changes will prevent this.
Some of the causes for engine failure are minor, so you should be able to troubleshoot a problem. Take time to learn how to: change the filter and primer bowl; clean and change spark plugs; check for spark; check and replace fuses; change the propeller; clean battery terminals. Don’t be a backyard mechanic – have all major servicing done by a qualified mechanic.

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