Spring Commissioning: Your Boat Safety Equipment Checklist
Make sure your boat functions properly when coming out of winter storage
If you’ve been researching how to get your Bayliner boat ready for spring, you’ve probably run across plenty of spring commissioning advice, but chances are that most of it revolves around de-winterizing the boat’s systems for a successful start to the early boating season.
Sure, you want the engine to fire right up when you turn the key and you want the boat’s systems to work as expected. But an important part of de-winterizing a boat that sometimes gets overlooked is spring commissioning for your safety gear.
Naturally, boating safely year-round is important to all of us. But in the spring there are a few specifics to check as you do your commissioning, because some safety gear expires and some other gear can deteriorate with age. Before you start your springtime boating adventures, use this checklist to ensure that safety remains job number-one.
Check your anchoring gear
Some people don’t think of the anchor and rode as safety-related, but if you lose power and are drifting towards a hazard, being able to anchor in place can save the day. So, make sure the anchor is in good shape and ready to deploy with a strong, reliable rode.
Check the expiration dates on flares
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals expire 42 months from the date of manufacture. Even if you bought flares last year you should still check them, because the time they sit on a store’s shelves prior to purchase counts.
Visually inspect fire extinguishers
The pressure gauge needle should be pointing to green to indicate it’s fully charged, the locking pin should be intact, there should be no visible corrosion or damage to the exterior, and the nozzle should be clear. (Tip: Use a flashlight and peer into the nozzle to make sure it’s clear all the way inside, because bugs will sometimes crawl deep down the nozzle and build a nest in there).
Test your bilge pumps
If your boat has an automatic bilge pump with a switch at the helm, activate it by both the float switch and the helm switch to make sure both systems are functioning properly.
Test the bilge blower, if your boat has one
Outboard owners won’t have to concern themselves with blowers, but if your boat has a stern drive that blower is a critical piece of safety gear (remember to always run it as per the manufacturer’s instructions before starting up the boat).
Check life jackets and throw cushions
Straps, buckles, and zippers can weaken over time, so you need to confirm that all remain in good working order.
Check the supplies in your first aid kit
Whether you’ve used the kit or not it still rates a look, to be sure it didn’t get contaminated by water or otherwise damaged through the off-season.
