Tagged: commissioning

Summer Holiday Kick-Off

Well, the kick-off of the Northeast boating season, Memorial Day weekend, is coming into sight and the pace is quickening within local boat yards. Around here, both the water and ambient temperatures are still decidedly on the brisk side which will dampen enthusiasm among some in-water skippers, while others soldier ahead. The end result is a double-edged sword – less traffic to contend with, but also fewer boaters to lend a hand in adverse situations. The trade-off is usually a favorable one, but it’s critically important that your boat and accessories be in top notch condition to avoid pressing your [...]

May 25th, 2021|

Chemistry

Last weekend, half-way through a day of spring commissioning activities, it occurred to me that I was inadvertently involved in advanced chemistry, without a formal degree. I was working with, and exposed to: engine oil, boat soap, Lestoil, cleaner wax, electrical spray, teak cleaner, acetone, bleach and a number of other potentially toxic liquid chemicals. The problem - mixing the wrong chemicals together can cause an explosion, and even getting individual ones on your skin, or in your eyes, can cause long-term pain and injury. Now, there are a couple choices. One let a marine professional handle the chemical-based activities. [...]

April 26th, 2021|

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 [...]

May 24th, 2020|