This is no joking matter. One of the worse things that can happen while on a boat is to have a fire. Although rare, fires on board can happen. However, like anything, being well prepared can help to avert a disaster. You should and must always carry a fire extinguisher.
If you have a fire on board:
Stop the boat immediately.
Radio for help.
Turn off all electrical power.
Assess danger.
If it looks like there could possibly be an explosion, get all passengers in life preservers and have them swim clear of the boat. Otherwise, if there's time, move the boat so fire is downwind so flames spread slowly. If the fire is from anything other than gas, oil or grease, water will extinguish it. However, if it fuel by gas, oil or grease, use your fire extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers are not all alike. Different size boats require different types, sizes and numbers of extinguishers. Consult your local Coast Guard to ensure you have the right kind.
With Memorial Day Weekend coming up and the ceremonial start to the summer boating season, it’s easy to forget one of the most important parts of your “Pre-Flight” check list in the excitement of getting out on the water for the first time of the year - Check the Fuel.
You’ll obviously want to make sure you have a full tank for a round trip, but you’ll also want to follow strict procedures to fill up safely. The fact is, you can never be too cautious, but here are some basic guidelines to follow when fueling your boat.
Before you fuel:
Turn off engines.
Shut off all electricity (battery switches to off position)
Check bilges for fuel vapors.
Extinguish all smoking materials.
Close all fittings and openings.
Remove all people from the boat.
During fueling:
Maintain nozzle contact with fill pipe.
Fuel nozzle must be attended at all times.
Wipe up fuel spills immediately.
Avoid overfilling.
After fueling and before starting engine:
Tighten cap securely and wipe up spillage.
Open all hatches, doors & compartments.
Inspect bilges for leakage or fuel odors.
Ventilate until odors are removed.
905 miles and 82 hours after leaving Marblehead, Massachusetts, the Sears arrived safely last night at 7:30pm in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina aboard their 21’ RIBCRAFT 210. To give you an idea of the weather conditions they encounter for most of the trip, yesterday, the first day of decent weather, they covered 360 miles alone – almost as many miles as they covered the four previous days! After experiencing four days straight of strong winds, heavy seas, and driving rains, the only minor problems they encounter was a faulty transducer and an XM Radio system unable to pick up a signal (well, OK, maybe no XM does constitute a major problem). All in all, another successful trip for a RIB and a RIBCRAFT. What’s more – the Sears were able to raise a bunch of money for a great cause, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The Sears are currently south of Norfolk, VA. After a LONG weekend battling small craft advisories and unsettled weather along the coast, they’re making slower time than they anticipated. They've been facing 20+ knot winds on the nose for the last few days - other than that, they're doing great and enjoying themselves. Kirk tells us that the “210 is performing flawlessly – the biggest problem has been the wind and rain! With Norfolk behind them and better weather ahead, Kirk and Sylvia hope to be home sometime on Tuesday.
Massachusetts to North Carolina Aboard a RIBCRAFT 210
They’re off! With a light 2 knot breeze out of the Southeast and overcast skies, Kirk Sears and his wife Sylvia left Marblehead Harbor this morning aboard their new RIBCRAFT 210 (their 3rd RIBCRAFT) bound for Wilmington, North Carolina. With the winds predicted to build to 18 knots out of the South/ Southeast, the Sears anticipate arriving in Newport, RI this afternoon around 3:00pm. Why are they doing this you might ask? For the thrill and excitement for one, but more importantly, to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Today’s departure was in stark contrast to three years ago, when Kirk and his nephew left Marblehead on a RIBCRAFT 5.85 (his second) in the midst of a classic April Nor’Easter. They made great time, arriving in North Carolina in just under four days. The Sears’ route this year will be to head out of Marblehead, pass through the Cape Cod Canal into Buzzards Bay and then on down to Newport, RI. From Newport, they’ll head down Long Island Sound, pass by Manhattan and then on through the East River. They’ll head “offshore” off the coast of New Jersey and then make their way into the Chesapeake heading through Norfolk, VA and then home to Wrightsville Beach, NC on Sunday.
Check Back Later for an update – we’ll keep you posted on their progress.
I travel a fair amount for work and most of the time I have a boat in tow. Most boaters have at one time or another trailered a boat – some of us may only go the short distance from the backyard to the town ramp but some often drive long distances to their favorite lake, a vacation home, or a regatta. But, regardless of how far you go, you should always inspect the trailer and boat before hitting the road to avoid any mishaps that most of the times are just embarrassing but could also have the potential for causing serious harm.
I recommend reviewing the following checklist before towing your boat:
- Check tire pressure and lug nuts (this is a biggy - I once lost a tire while underway simply because I didn’t check
the lugnuts – what made it worse was that it was a brand new trailer)
- Check that all lights work
- Check that brakes work and you know how to work them
- Double check the hookup from trailer to tow vehicle: safety chains are secure, break away cable is in tack,
electrical plug is tight, the coupler is locked and pinned, and that the vehicle is equipped with the correct size
trailer ball.
- Raise the tongue jack once the trailer is connected to the vehicle
- Make sure the boat is secure to the trailer using the winch assembly cable and that the appropriate tie down
straps at the transom are secured to the boat and trailer (not over the tube)
- Grease bearing according to the owners manual provided with the trailer
- Check that the trailer frame is level with the truck to prevent any sway or excess pressure on any of the axles.
- Insure that the bunks/rollers are in place, have not moved, and are properly supporting the hull
- Make sure the trailer plate is secure and you have a copy of the registration in the car.
Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any other checks you perform before trailering your boat.
If you have some free time and your private jet is fueled and ready to go (for those of us on this side of the pond), then you should jet on over to the Isle of Wight this weekend for the only boat show dedicated 100% to RIBs – RIBEX 2006 takes place May 12-14th in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
This is a great opportunity to see the latest in RIB design and to take advantage of a marina filled with RIBs awaiting sea trials. For those of us in the States who can’t make it to RIBEX, hopefully someday, we’ll have a show like this here.
I was fortunate enough to get out on a RIBCRAFT 7.8 on the Pacific Ocean the other day with a customer in Ventura California. What a beautiful day in Southern California, the sun was shining, a nice gradual swell was rolling in, and the 2 foot chop made for ideal conditions for a RIB ride and for the dolphins that joined us.
When it was my turn at the wheel, I put the boat to the test – cutting in among the surf and pushing the boat through tight figure eight turns. As always – I’m continuously amazed by the performance of a RIB! The RIBCRAFT 7.8 we were on is a machine – complete with twin military spec 150HP Johnson Enforcers, a shock mitigating seat for the operator and two aft pod seats for crew. This boat is used by Channel Watch Marine, a Vessel Assist Tow and Salvage operator.
As a commercial tower, it’s an excellent platform for their business. The 25’ RIBCRAFT 7.8, allows them to quickly get on the scene of a tow or salvage operation. Though not usually the boat to do the towing, the 25’ RIB enables them to secure the situation, rescue passengers in harms way, quickly understand the needs of the situation, and finalize any paperwork. With the RIB, they’re able to easily do 20 knots in large seas and 30+ knots in calmer conditions while their hard-sided tow boats can only make 6-12 knots depending on the conditions.
Furthermore, with a RIB, they don’t have to worry about damaging the topsides of the distressed vessel either. They’re extremely happy with their new addition – but as I mentioned last week in a posting, they’ve had to adjust they way they do certain things. Hip towing vessels has taken some modifications as there are fewer tie off points on a RIB. With the tubes, they can’t always fully snug up the lines. These aren’t negatives by any means, but just things they’ve noticed and have found solutions for. In all respects, a RIB is an excellent platform and asset for their business.
"RIBCRAFT", "RIBCRAFT USA",
and "Rib
Craft" are trademarks of RIBCRAFT USA, LLC. Copyright 2005.
All Rights Reserved. RIBCRAFT USA reserves the right to change,
without notice, any pricing, materials, specifications, equipment
and/or accessories.
