Protocols
The pre-departure inspection: what gets checked
The part of the job nobody sees is the part that decides whether the passage goes well. Before every delivery we run a full, documented inspection of the boat, and if something is not right we do not leave. It is that simple and it is not negotiable.
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Photo by Olaf Tausch · CC BY-SA 3.0
Hull, deck and openings
Skin fittings and seacocks are checked one by one — that they open and close, and that an emergency bung is to hand. Hatch and portlight seals, deck condition and fittings, and that jackstays or harness anchor points are rigged and sound.
We also check the obvious things that get overlooked: that fenders and mooring lines are sufficient and not rotten, and that the anchor and its chain are complete and properly secured.
Propulsion and systems
Engine: oil and coolant levels, belt condition, filters, raw-water pump impeller and spares on board. Fuel circuit, pre-filter and water separator, and a clear idea of how much fuel there actually is — not what the gauge says.
Steering: full rudder travel, play, and the emergency tiller located and tried. Bilge: automatic and manual pumps working for real, plus bilge alarms. Batteries, charger, alternator and estimated daily consumption.
Rig and sails, where applicable
On a sailing yacht we check standing and running rigging, terminals, turnbuckles, boom, furlers and sail condition. We confirm there is a workable way to reduce sail fast: reefs prepared, halyards marked and sheets free of chafe.
Safety and paperwork
Liferaft with a current service and appropriate to the passage. If the boat has none, one is hired: we do not leave without it. Lifejackets and harnesses for the whole crew, in-date distress signals, serviced extinguishers, first aid kit and man-overboard recovery gear.
And the folder: boat papers, valid insurance covering the passage, and crew certificates. All of it travels on board, on paper and digitally.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the pre-departure inspection take?
Two to four hours on a boat we know, longer the first time. If defects need fixing, it can take days.
What if the boat is not in a fit state?
The owner gets a written list of defects and we do not sail until they are resolved. We never leave hoping it holds together.
Is a liferaft compulsory?
It depends on the authorised navigation zone, but on passage we will not leave without an in-date raft. If the boat has none, we hire one.
