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| This Year's Boating Resolutions |
| by Lt/C Larry Golkin, AP SEO
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Every year, each
of us makes certain personal commitments to better their lives.
We call these resolutions. Whereas these personal commitments are
fine, in the context of safe boating, however, I suggest the following
resolutions:
- Change the oil regularly.
- Change the raw-water pump impeller because it is the only source
of cooling for my engine, and when worn out, my engine will overheat
and die.
- Purchase some new signal flares.
- Replace those old, dry chemical fire extinguishers, purchase
one of those new portable foam fire extinguishers, the big one
40A-70 BC, so that I can actually put out a fire when one occurs,
and install a fire extinguisher port in my engine hatch, so that
I can discharge the extinguisher into the engine room without
having to open the hatch.
- Make sure that my significant other has graduated from the U.S.
Power Squadron Basic Boating Course and actually show her how
to operate and handle the vessel, including docking and undocking
procedures, and starting and stopping the engine.
- Create and post onboard a written Emergency Check List.
- Practice emergency drills.
- Learn, and then to teach to my crew, the proper distress-calling
procedures.
- File a float plan with a responsible friend or neighbor prior
to departing on every cruise.
- Refurbish and renew all the first-aid supplies in the ship’s
first-aid kit and attend Red Cross classes to renew my Red Cross
first aid and CPR card.
- Inspect all hoses attached to my vessel’s through hulls,
operate all through-hull valves (free them up if they have become
frozen), and place on board a set of plugs to fit each through
hull, with the plugs wired to the through hull they fit.
- Inspect and refurbish as necessary the ship’s electric/automatic
bilge system and the manual / back-up bilge system.
See you on the water!!
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