Marine Surveyor Discusses Extended Voyages
Even with the latest tropical storm Ernesto, the weather and seas have been relatively calm. This has been good news for all of the sea lovers out there including marine surveyors and experienced captains. These are the conditions that tempt us into longer excursions. There is a lot more to a multi-day voyage than your normal day fishing trip or weekend jaunt to the Bahamas. Because of this we have put together a simple guide to extended marine voyages. Marine surveyors tend to plan and take notes so we have put together a checklist that you can use here to plan your next boating excursion. This is useful for any trip. Any trip out to sea can have it’s complications, so the safety of all of the passengers is always your first concern.
There are some extra considerations for an extended journey that the captain must be prepared for. Before embarking you will want to make sure that you have prepared your vessel, determined your route, and have a backup plan in case of the worst case scenario. Here is a simple checklist for some of the things you will need to do:
1. Choose a route that you are comfortable with and matches your experience.
2. Verify any hazards using up to date charts of the areas you plan to visit.
3. If you are unfamiliar with this route you can seek guidance from the Coast Guard and locals.
4. Survey your vessel and insure that you have the proper safety equipment, navigational tools, and other items.
5. Determine the amount of fuel you will need and where you will refuel. Add these points to your destinations.
6. Determine the time at sea and what supplies you will need and where you will resupply.
7. Find out what documentation the crew and passengers will need for the entire trip.
8. Keep an eye on the weather and make any appropriate changes to your route.
9. Keep a water tight lock-box somewhere safe with all of your documentation and a spare key.
10. Record your planned route with the local authorities from where you are embarking.
The final thing to consider is whether your insurance policy will cover any damages to your yacht or boat if things go wrong while at sea. Marine surveyors know the ins and outs of the insurance industry but not all boat owners and captains do. It may be a good idea to contact your insurance provider to make sure that your planned trip does not violate any restrictions on your policy.
If you unsure about your trip or think that you may not be qualified to plan your trip then don’t. Contact a local marine surveyor to help. The fees associated with this type of service are not that expensive and could be worth it if things turn for the worse.
Captain Paul Squire is a marine surveyor in Fort Lauderdale that offers tips and information.