Powerboaters, dusting off your boat? – Polish up your skills
After a long wet winter, the weather is finally showing signs of warming up and this is typically the time of year when the covers come off and boats are launched for the maiden voyage of the season.
Our friends in the RNLI and Irish Coast Guard tell us,
“Mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of rescue call outs to powerboat, sailing and motor cruisers, accounting for nearly 20% of all our lifeboat launches. Checking your boat regularly, carrying spares and being able to fit them could make the difference between having to call for help and being able to help yourself”.
As your boat may have been laid up for some time, it is essential to ensure that everything is in good working order before setting off.
- Check the hull, tubes (RIBs), bungs and any through hull fittings.
- Check the Engine, in particular the fuel system, cooling, lubrication, battery, controls and killcord.
- Check all of the safety equipment is present, in good working order and items such as distress flares are still in date.
- Check your Lifejackets or Personal Floatation Devices, they may require servicing.
As you may not have been afloat over the winter it is important to be aware that skills can also fade over time. It can be well worth investing in some training at this time of year to update your skills ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable time on the water during the season ahead.
Irish Sailing Training Centres offer a range of powerboat training courses for all levels and for a variety of specific requirements including:
- Introduction to Powerboating – Perfect for those new to powerboating covering all the crewing roles and an introduction to helming.
- National Powerboat Certificate – Covering all the core skills and knowledge required to safely operate a powerboat.
- Intermediate Powerboat Certificate – An excellent progression from the National Powerboat Certificate aimed at giving you the confidence to take your boat further and enjoy a range of activities with family and friends.
- Safetyboat Certificate – This course is specifically for those operating in the sailing, watersports or safety cover environment. It covers close quarters boat-handling, group management afloat and rescue techniques for dinghies, windsurfers, kayaks, kites, rafts etc.