A thorough check, before sailing into the sunset

Gunnar Brock from Pantaenius explains why this mandatory requirement is much more than just an annoying task, and what you can do to make it as organised and efficient as possible.

Eight people, six plates - it is often only at the first anchorage that it becomes apparent that something is missing or not working on the charter boat. If it's just plates and cutlery, you can improvise. If, however, something bigger is amiss, that recreational feeling decreases rapidly.

confirms Brock from the legal department of Pantaenius. As an enthusiastic sailor and long-time charter skipper, he speaks from experience. "I go through the inventory list meticulously, open every locker," says Brock - not alone, but together with the co-skipper, because four eyes are better than two. Such a thorough check takes time, which is why experienced charter skippers "forewarn" their crew of this practice, so that there are no long faces at the charter base. "If the tasks are well distributed, for example, a crewmember stows provisions and luggage while the take-over team goes through the boat, the time is also used efficiently," says Brock.

Even after ticking off all the items on the inventory list and completing handover protocol, there is still more to do. Instruction of the crew is just as important as careful inspection of the yacht. "Legally, the skipper is obliged to carry out a safety briefing, especially for inexperienced crews," says Brock. In any case, as well as obligatory requirements for crew instructions, it is in the interest of every skipper to sail with a competent crew.

Sea valves, gas cock, engine, radio - from bow to stern, all the relevant safety points should be explained, and the best way to learn, following instruction, is to perform the manual task themselves under guidance. Each crewmember on the charter should therefore start and stop the engine, move the valves to the "open" and "close" positions and so on. In the technical literature there are helpful lists, which a skipper can use to orient himself during the execution of the safety briefing.

The more experienced the crew (and the more frequently they have sailed with one another in the group), the more condensed the briefing can be. However, a thorough familiarisation session with an untrained crew can take up to an hour and a half, which would include roughly defining and allocating the emergency roles, for example in the event of a fire or MOB.

Finally - the trip can start! A concise safety check is carried out before each trip: Are all valves closed, are the gas taps tight, are the hatches closed? Ideally, a crewmember should take responsibility for this routine check and be appointed as the "safety officer".

“This includes stopping the boat, driving full circles, testing the manoeuvring characteristics forwards and backwards," explains Brock. Mainsails and foresails are also rolled out and hoisted for testing purposes. Often omitted, but very important, is the practice of the MOB manoeuvre under engine and sails with the help of a fender. The crew may not have mastered the manoeuvre perfectly after this first "dry run", but as long as everyone knows the basics, this is what matters.

With the right number of dinner plates in the locker, a technically flawless yacht and a competent crew, the charter holiday will be a great and relaxed experience for everyone. Have fun!