Safety First
A critical part of the spring commissioning process is checking out the safety equipment: PFDs, signaling kit components, fire extinguishers, marine radios, etc.
Static PFDs should be examined for wear and tear and inflatable PFDs should be checked not only for integrity, but also for expired cartridges.
Some signaling kit components such as the orange flag and whistle, are evergreen, and can be used year after year. But, other pieces, specifically the flares, have a fairly narrow shelf life and should be checked for expiration dates annually.
Fire extinguisher pressure gauges should be reviewed to determine readiness. And, clear access should be ensured.
Finally, don’t forget the fixed mount and handheld radios, as non-use over the long winter break can cause corrosion to build up on key electrical connections which can make physical operation challenging and, sometimes, compromise operation completely.
Smart Boating is safe boating, so take a quick look at your equipment before “splashing”, you’ll be glad you did.
