SAFETY • DEPARTURE ROUTINE
A safe trip starts before the lines come off.
The marina is where weather information, vessel condition, passenger briefing and local knowledge meet. A repeatable routine is more useful than confidence based on the last uneventful trip.
At the car park
Check the current forecast, warnings, tides and local notices. Tell a responsible person the route and expected return. Consider whether the skipper, passengers, vessel and conditions still match the plan.
At the berth
Inspect bilges, fuel, batteries, steering, cooling, lines and visible damage. Confirm that required safety equipment is serviceable, accessible and suitable for the operating area. State and territory rules differ, so use the responsible maritime authority for the current requirement.
Before departure
Show passengers where lifejackets and emergency equipment are located and how to use them. Explain movement around the vessel, propeller hazards, communications and what to do if someone falls overboard. AMSA advises recreational boaters to check their state or territory authority for applicable lifejacket rules.
At the fairway
Observe speed, wash, navigation marks and marina directions. Prepare lines and fenders before manoeuvring, and keep people clear of pinch points. Do not use hands or feet to stop a heavy vessel against a structure.
On return
Record faults while they are fresh, dispose of waste correctly and leave emergency equipment ready for the next trip. A small defect deferred repeatedly can become the reason a later departure is unsafe.
Primary sources
Read current guidance from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the maritime agency responsible for the waterway where you operate.