Some while ago now I serviced the four lifejackets carried aboard Whimbrel and renewed our lifebelt. These jobs are just part of the well trodden list of ‘must do’ things all boaters enjoy!
But, do all boaters do these ‘simple’ checks?
When the RNLI is called out so often to people crewing vessels with shortcomings, one has to wonder.
We can all end up needing assistance for one reason or another but…
Some while back I had carried out my biannual servicing of the engine oil and fuel system filters. The fuel system has never showed water in it and I went to a two yearly cycle many years ago. The engine is not overly used but it is operated regularly throughout the year, never sitting static for too long.
Recently, after washing the lifelines, I spotted that the ‘D’ ring turn over stitching’s had degraded, being degraded completely in part. All four ends were completely restitched.
I have been checking the Imray web site chart correction pages for a while, awaiting the correction lists fired out each spring. Been slow in coming this year, I thought.
So, today, I was pleased to find them available. It has been muted that the age of the paper chart is closing out – oh heck. Everyone has a chart plotter or similar, it is said. Do they? I have a GOS Map, but I wouldn’t call it my main means to navigate.
The boat’s charts have now been updated…
A change that has popped up is the movement east of the Raysand Swatch buoys. Now, the last time I crossed two season’s ago, I marked up the chart with where I could see there was more water: I had arrived early on the northern side having come from West Mersea and watched the tide come over. The flow was well to the east of the buoys – probably only around 300-400mm, but that can make all the difference!
Nothing to do with safety, really, but the jib and main halyards were run out at the weekend and given several runs around the inside of our washing machine. Does them the world of good, dissolving salt and releasing airborne verdigris.
I shall probably run out the topping lift and spinnaker lines too…
Not to be outdone, the dinghy which was given a good refit in the autumn, had her bottom rubbed down and freshly antifouled. I use a soft ablating paint for one doesn’t want unnecessary build up.
Apart from completing our build up of general stores loaded aboard for the summer, we are ready for the off!
Good summer sailing to all my friends and others…