Crew briefing Briefing the crew prior to departure is essential to ensure that everyone has sufficient information of the intended passage, specifying the requirements expected from crew members and providing the full safety features on board. Here is a list of topics that could be used to develop your own briefing checklist.

• Operation details • Delegation responsibility • Life jacket, wearing • Emergency procedures • Tide conditions / affect • Weather forecast • Health checks • Stability • Ropes, Mooring –Stowage • Synchronise watches / clocks

• Docking / Berthing • Wind conditions / affect • Day or night visibility • Clothing, appropriate • Water, dehydration • Victualling • Passage plan • Arrival / Departure times (notify 3rd party)

Passage plan In the process of planning a passage, one of the key lessons to remember is to adhere to the ‘Boy Scouts’ motto ‘ BE PREPARED’. This can be achieved by methodically conducting onboard risk assessments to reduce hazards and ensuring that all individuals aboard are adequately informed. An element of planning is required for even the simplest and shortest of journeys. Passage planning is an obligation for all seafarers under the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS V). Section 3.1 states On the basis of the fullest possible appraisal, a detailed voyage or passage plan should be prepared which should cover the entire voyage or passage from berth to berth, including those areas where the services of a pilot will be used. ​ Given the unpredictability of weather and tides, along with the potential for equipment malfunctions, those in charge must be prepared to address challenging situations that may arise, even during brief journeys. ​ Utilising checklists is crucial to ensure all significant matters are addressed and that the crew is thoroughly briefed for the trip. Consider the following headings when creating the passage plan. • Route • Tides & currents • Navigation dangers • Constraints • Refuge • Daylight • Weather • Limitations of the boat • Engine • Crew

Safety Checks All checks have to be designed to suit the vessel that is being used. An example of some of the issues to consider checking safety equipment is as follows. • Dan buoys • EPIRB • Fire extinguishers • First aid Kit • Gas bottle valve • Harness • Life raft • Life-buoys / Life rings • Lifejackets • MOB Recovery system • PIB • RIB: Tube air pressures • RIB: Tube puncture kit • Safety lines / Jack stays / Dog lead • Throw Line • Torch: Hand / Head • VHF Radio

Main Engine Checks All checks have to be designed to suit the vessel that is being used. An example of some of the issues to consider checking the inboard engine machinery is as follows. • Water • Oil • Belts • Battery • Look • Exhaust • Fuel It has been know to use the acronym WOBBLEF to help remember the items for checking but does not cover the cold water pump

Document Checks All checks have to be designed to suit the vessel that is being used. An example of some of the issues to consider checking documentation requirements is as follows. Ship’s ownership and classification papers should always be kept in a safe place but available for authorities to inspect them on demand. Operational documents such as the ship or engine logbooks must be completed preferably daily or as soon as possible. Bell or Telegraph record books are completed as events occur so as to give a historic listing that can be used for any litigation in the future. Health and safety policies to be available for all crew members and records of delivering training exercises for various possible emergencies kept and signed off by senior officers. Details of the Safe Management System should be published and made available.

First aid checks All checks have to be designed to suit the vessel that is being used. An example of some of the issues to consider checking first aid equipment is as follows. Legal requirement Vessels over 45 feet length mandatory, under recommended Practical Two kits Contents In date Correct for numbers of persons onboard Notices Visible Location Accessible Specialist Eye injury Burns Extras Survival bag FA book

Outboard Engine Checks All checks have to be designed to suit the vessel that is being used. An example of some of the issues to consider checking the outboard engine machinery is as follows. • Fuel (2 or 4 stroke) • Look • Oil • Primer • Propeller • Cables • Exhaust • Fuel lines • Battery isolation switch • Kill cord

Deck & Bridge equipment All checks have to be designed to suit the vessel that is being used. An example of some of the issues to consider checking the following equipment is as follows. Deck • Anchor • Mooring lines • External damage (Tubes for RIBs) • Slips and trips hazards • Unsecured items • Stowage of items • Water-tight doors and portholes • Hatch covers Bridge • Almanac • Compass • Echo sounder • Electronic charts • Engine controls • Helm • Horn • Navigation lights • Paper charts • Pilot book • Radar • Sat Nav • VHF