Just been send the following, thought i would share: The sea safety info can be downloaded from http://www.sea-safety.org.uk/RNLI_Sea_Safety.html as well as the RNLI website.
NEWS RELEASE
Press Notice No 87 April 6th 2011
THINKING ABOUT LAUNCHING? HOW’S YOUR MAINTENANCE?
With the lighter evenings now approaching and better weather on its way (hopefully!) many boaters will be thinking about getting back out on the water again. But have you carried out all of the maintenance need to ensure that your boat is safe and seaworthy?
“Many of the water-based incidents that we deal with at this time of year involve engine breakdown as a result of lack of maintenance,” says Garry Hall of Solent Coastguard. “People report running out of fuel, sometimes because fuel indicators are broken or because fuel can’t get through pipes and the engine is starved. Electrical issues are also a frequent problem. Often oxidation happens if engines are laid open to the elements and it affects the wiring. Engines are susceptible to frost so following our cold winter they will certainly need a good service.”
Whilst you’re considering maintenance, don’t forget to look at your lifejackets and make sure that they are functioning fully. Remove the cylinders and auto-mechanisms, washing them in fresh water. Now inflate the lifejackets using a hand pump, leaving them for 24 hours to make sure that they don’t deflate. Then reassemble the lifejacket, ensuring that the cylinder is screwed back in securely. The RNLI have some good advice about how to maintain your lifejacket on their website. Go to
www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety
Appropriate and fully functioning communications equipment will be vital should you find yourself in an emergency situation. Have you got all the right equipment?
Check all your existing communication equipment. Ensure your VHF DSC radio unit’s MMSI registration is up to date with Ofcom so that the Coastguard has the right emergency contact details. If you have an emergency position-indicating radio beacon EPIRB or a PLB personal locator beacon replace batteries before they expire and don’t just rely on the “test” button. Also ensure the beacon’s registration details are up to date so that the Coastguard has the right emergency contact details and correct information for both yourself and your vessel.
Many of the boating magazines and websites have good checklists for boat servicing at this time of year, so make use of these to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable boating season.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
1. The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector.
www.seavisionuk.org
2. Stay safe - before heading out on the water get trained, check weather and tides, wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and keep in touch
3. Follow us on Twitter. Find us at MCA_media
For further information please contact
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on:
(023) 8032 9401
Press releases and further information about the Agency is available on the Web at
www.mcga.gov.uk
