Some weeks ago I managed after a bit of an effort being taken for a ‘web ride’ to obtain an update for the Garmin GPSMap carried aboard Whimbrel.

See: http://nickardley.com/ditch-crawler-wants-to-thank-satnav-helpers

That was early in my knee replacement rehabilitation. Having since reached the boat, been for a sail even and completed a job of tensioning the engine belts, my mate in escort mode, carted all our life jackets and charts ashore for checking/correcting.

Upon perusing the Imray web site I soon discovered that my set of charts would need to be replaced, as edition was no longer supported. There were changes that I considered important.

I initially contacted a chandler regularly used – they failed to respond to calls and messages … great!

Series 2000 and 2100 were duly ordered direct from Imray. They were delivered one hour before I passed the front door of the chandlery the following day in Maldon!

They were probably cheaper than those from a chandlers, and nil postage was charged. Thank you Imray.

Then, of course, there was the little matter of correcting those ‘new’ charts.

One of the major changes to have taken place over the winter is the route of the River Deben’s access to and from the sea. For a number of years it has been close in and then a long run along the shingle banks in a NNE direction, turning northwards further in.

Now, it has burst through a swatch that has been growing in prominence south of Bawdsey land point. I discussed this with a brother and a cousin crewing last year as the cousin took Whimbrel into the river for the very first time. Not sure if the helm took it all in, but I was more than relaxed about his competence, watched by my brother…

So, with the charts corrected and out of the way, the life jackets were opened out and inspected. Dates and condition of firing units and gas cylinders, creases etc, etc, carried out before all were inflated.

Then there were the fire extinguishers (including the one at the home galley!) to be changed for newly purchased units!

Rarely are these extinguishers renewed where they can be clipped to the brackets already fitted. With my cockpit unit, I fitted a ‘universal’ bracket some time ago: provided diameter is similar, it is a straight swop.

This wasn’t the case in the cabin at a unit located by the companionway entrance. One of the bracket screw holes was different – making a hole filling, sanding and a varnish touch-up before job completion!

I fired off a couple of the old ones – both worked!

All of these jobs are necessary, whether replacement or inspections, during a boat’s annual ‘servicing’ – they are not onerous and give peace of mind.

I take various family members and friends sailing aboard Whimbrel so I feel such things should not be put off: it is a responsibility and a duty of care…