Safety measures are one of the foremost considerations before venturing into open water. A
significant and crucial step before departing is performing the pre departure check up of a boat
in order to ensure safety while navigating into the sea. The question arises that who bears the
responsibility of performing this crucial task of performing the pre departure check up of a boat?
As a matter of fact, it is not the responsibility of a single person but rather ensuring the safety
and performing pre departure check ups is a tag team effort between the boat owners, skippers/
caption/operator of the vessel, crew members and marine authorities.
Eminently, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the boat’s operator or captain to perform
these checks.But it is not their duty, solely. The entire team is responsible to ensure that the
vessel is in a good working condition and can sail in the water. With their expertise, experiences
and keen observation, they ensure the safe and smooth navigation of the boat.
Core Components of pre departure cheap ups:
● Safety tools-before venturing into the water, it is important to ensure that all the
protection devices and safety equipments are in good condition, are functioning properly
and are present. This includes checking for the presence and condition of fire
extinguishers,first aid kits, life jackets, charts and visual signals etc.
● Checking weather conditions and weather forecast: Before sailing the vessel’s
operator should keep a record of the weather forecast and recent weather conditions in
order to ensure that whether it is safer and suitable to sail in the water during that
particular time or not.
● Examine the vessel properly: The operational team should also check the vessel
properly beforing venturing into the water. This includes checking the steering, the speed
controls, proper fuel supply, inspecting hoses and connections as well as examining
engine fluid levels.
Roles of all the team members:
The boat owner: The duty of the boat owner is to ensure that suitables measures are taken to
let the vessel navigate. The boat owner should connect inspections and ensure compliance and
also play a role in maintaining the equipment.
The skippers: The duty of the skippers is to ensure that the vessel is in a good condition to
navigate,it is having proper safety equipment, fuel supply and emergency devices and gears.
He is also responsible for crew management and emergency responses.
The crew members: The role of crew members is to assist the captain in pre departure
checkups. Helping in managing supplies, maintaining the vessel and assistance with
operational procedures.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the pre-departure check up are crucial steps in order to ensure a safe navigation
while operating the vessel. While it is a phenomena based on teamwork the primary duty falls
on the shoulders of the operator to complete a checklist before departure. In some special
cases such as in the case of recreational boats the owner sometimes takes the position of the
operator. In these cases the owners take the role of the operator and perform necessary pre
departure check up. If the owner is not the operator the boat captain remains in charge of the
vessel analyzing it and ensuring its proper operation.