Departure Procedure¶

Comprehensive pre-departure checklist and procedures.

Prior to Departure¶

Dinghy and Lines¶

For catamarans: tie the dinghy in davits and secure with brace lines to prevent sideways movement
For monohulls: tie tender alongside so tow rope cannot foul the propeller
Ensure no lines are hanging in the water
Retrieve all fishing lines

Deck and Safety¶

Stow all loose items both inside and outside the boat
Secure fenders and dock lines in storage lockers
Ensure all hatches and ports are firmly shut
Fit all lifelines before departing

Systems Check¶

Run engines for 20 minutes at approximately 1200-1500 RPM to charge batteries
Check all engine systems, especially:
Battery charging
Exhaust cooling water
Engine fluids and raw water
Fuel valves

Plan route considering hazards, weather, and tides
Complete passage planner
Reef mainsail if necessary based on wind conditions
Check navigation electronics and communications
Review charts and cruising guides for intended route

Shore Power Transition¶

Disconnect shore power if at marina
Switch from shore power to generator/battery system
Verify battery charger operation

Departure Communications¶

Notify base of intended anchorage and route before departure
Confirm at morning radio schedule (8:00am) or call if departing earlier
Provide backup communication plan

Casting Off¶

When Departing a Mooring¶

Monitor mooring location before and after dropping
Ensure mooring line is kept well clear of propellers
May need to reverse away to avoid rope fouling

Initial Maneuvering¶

Begin departure only after all systems are checked and ready
Follow planned line order and communications protocol
Proceed at 3 knots or less until well clear of shore or reef

Post-Departure¶

Stow fenders and dock lines properly
Make log entry with departure time and conditions
Begin monitoring position and weather

When Underway¶

Holding Tanks¶

When more than one nautical mile offshore, empty and flush holding tanks
Ensure discharge valves are reopened after flushing

Always pay attention to location
Keep well clear of hazards, shoreline, and reef
Slow down or change course to suit sea conditions
Never rely on only one source of navigation information

Communications¶

Monitor VHF channels as appropriate

Approaching Any Anchorage or Shore¶

Speed and Sail Reduction¶

Slow down and take down all sails
Reduce speed to less than 3 knots

Place reliable lookout on bow
Use multiple navigation aids:
Charts
Cruising guide diagrams and aerial photos
GPS plotter
Visual observation
Depth sounder (with caution)

Safety Note¶

Our boat is fitted with AIS. Speed, time, and location are recorded and available to insurance companies and authorities for incident investigation.

Critical Speed Rule

Exceeding 3 knots within 70m of shore, another boat, any reef, any navigation aid, or when approaching any anchorage will void insurance cover.

Anchoring Procedure¶

Site Selection¶

Select location considering wind, depth, reef, and surrounding vessels
Ensure adequate swing room for tidal and wind changes
Verify water depth is between 2m (at low tide) and 15m (at high tide)

Dropping Anchor¶

Bring boat to complete stop
Drop anchor and lay out chain:
Minimum 40m of chain for depths up to 10m
4× the depth for depths over 10m (at high tide)
All chain in winds over 25 knots or depths of 15m

Setting the Anchor¶

Once chain is stretched out, run engines in reverse at low revs for 5-10 minutes
This digs in the anchor and confirms it has taken hold
After confirming anchor is set, fit rope bridle or snubbing line
Let out additional chain so weight transfers to bridle

Confirming Anchor Hold

The only way to confirm the anchor has taken is to operate the boat slowly in reverse for 5-10 minutes.

Mooring Pickup¶

Approach¶

Select mooring considering suitability for boat size and conditions
Approach slowly into wind or current
Face same direction as other moored boats
Come to complete stop 3-5m from mooring

Pickup¶

Motor slowly forward to pickup rope
Use boat hook to retrieve floating rope
Secure to vessel in appropriate manner per operations manual
Verify secure attachment before shutting down engines

Mooring Caution

Moorings and mooring ropes caught on propellers are a major cause of structural damage. Always use extreme caution and ensure mooring buoy and rope stay clear of propellers.