Here are a few tidbits of information from our safety Guru, Steve Bosse:

 

It’s that time of year when we look forward to waking up our boat engines and taking advantage of Lake Guntersville’s beautiful scenery.  BUT, before we do that, let’s take the time to check a few things: 

1.       Shore Power Cords and Sockets:  When is the last time that you inspected your shore power cords, end connections and sockets?   Over time, the connections from your shore power cords to your boat can get loose, corrode or pick up moisture that will compromise the connection.  Loose connections get hot and increase the risk of fire or electrical short.   So take a few minutes to check them out and replace/repair them if you suspect an issue.

 

2.       Fire Extinguishers and Safety Gear:   Are your fire extinguishers and safety gear expired?   If you don’t know, the time to check them out is now!   Aerial and hand held flares have expiration dates and should be replaced every few years.   So do the ointments and creams in your first aid kit.   If you’re unsure of your fire extinguishers, replace them.    Take 10 minutes to check these out.

 

3.       Check your bilge pumps:   Do you know if your bilge pumps actually work?  When is the last time that you checked them out?  Most bilge pumps have a manual/auto switch somewhere on the boat.  If you have a switch, It’s a good practice to operate the pumps every once in a while to ensure that they work.  If you don’t have a switch and your bilge pump has an automatic float, you can test the pump by filling the bilge sump with water and letting it pump out.   If your pump doesn’t work, it’s time for some maintenance or replacement.

Until next time,

Steve