Chiama Ora
1 Briefing
The safety briefing must be carefully carried before the any departure (just like on planes).
The skipper must ensure himself that have listened any explanation and understood all the procedures without possibility of misunderstanding. Here we will simply list the most important aspects and the key points of the safety briefing carried on by the skipper.
2 Lifejackets: if self inflating must be checked, on date and not expired (a list of all the lifejackets displaying the dates of the controls must be on board). One jacket per person is needed and anyone must know where they are stowed ( also safety belts, lifelines, harnesses and eyebolt) and how to wear them.
3 Liferaft: any member of the crew must know where the liferaft is and the procedures to be adopted in the event of its use.
4 Fire extinguishers: every crew member must be informed about the total number placement of the fire extinguishers and fire blanket. Particular attention must be paid for the extinguishers of the engine room, that could be automatic, and the holes that art designed for their use (in event of fire never open the engine room hatch door but use the designed holes to spray the content of the extinguisher).
4 Man overboard rescue: every crew member must know the procedures to be followed to recover a man overboard, send mayday, throw lifebuoy, use of lights and ropes.
5 Gas: the crew must be informed about the need to close the gas bottle when not in use. Avoid to use flames switch on electrical instruments in the event of gas smell and ventilate the whole internal parts of the boat, in particular the bilge (remember that the gas, heavier that the air) will flow downwards.
6 Engine and Spare parts: the crew must be informed about the placement of the spare parts. Before he will follow the next steps to check the engine: disconnect the battery, check lacks of oil water in the bilge, level of oil (even for the gear box) and cooling liquid, tension of the belts and eventual wear and tear (black dust), sea water filter. Then connect the battery again (for the battery check the connections, clamps, level of charge). After engine start check if the water is flowing correctly out of the exhaust and the colour of the smoke.
7 Check all the instruments: vhf, gps.
8 Parachute flares, hand flares, orange smoke buoys: any crew member must know where they are and how to use them. The crew must be informed also about the grap bag: where it is and what is in it (maybe portable vhf, compass, flares, water, food, maps, blankets, etc.).
9 First aid box: anyone must know where it it.
10 Dangers: The skipper will inform the crew about the critical points where accidents can occur (boom, winches, hatches, leeward side).
11 Tasks: The skipper will assign specific tasks, inform the crew about the general operation of the boat, manoeuvres and positioning of the jammers, ropes, halyards, blocks, etc. The crew must know how to take the boat to the nearest bay and stop it dropping the anchor.