Safety Communications
A key part of the spring commissioning process is a safety equipment check. Some basics to consider are: Is the anchor well secured to the line? is the horn charged? are the flares current? are the life jackets in good condition, etc. There are lots of things to cover. An equally important facet of this area is whether or not the skipper and crew actually know how to use the equipment properly.
For example, say you’ve had your handheld VHF for a few years, but have not had many chances to use it. Which channel should you monitor? What is the backup hailing channel? How do you get the weather channel through the softkeys? Is your MMSI rescue feature activated?
If you’re a lifelong boater, you may find these points amusing. However, if you’re a weekend warrior, many of the answers may not be on the the tip of your tongue, and ignorance in this area can be very costly.
So, yes, give yourself a check mark on the commissioning list for having a working, accessible VHF radio. And give yourself a second check mark for reviewing the instructions and giving the radio some use in the near future. The peace of mind you gain will make the process well worth it.
