WHAT TO CHECK ON YOUR BOAT - CHECKING YOUR ENGINE, ELECTRICS AND GAS

These batteries were under oily bilge water as can be 
seen by the residue on the cables and the marks on 
the bulkheads and the connections are now 
extremely corroded. 
As a marine Surveyor I inspect all sorts of vessels to make sure they are safe to go to sea.  Everything we do is about keeping ships, their crews and passengers safe and our knowledge can be used by pleasure boaters to keep you safe as well.

When it comes to your engine, there are things you can check yourself, such as the oil and water levels.  Check to see if you have oil leaking from the seals and if you do you will need to get them replaced.  Don’t forget to check the batteries to make sure the acid levels are correct and there’s no corrosion on the terminals or the connectors. 

It’s a good idea to get your engine serviced before you first set out. It may have been sitting there all winter so get it checked by a professional before it breaks down and you need to be towed in.

With your electrics, make sure that everything is working as it should be.  Check that your navigation lights are working and if you think there’s a problem anywhere with your electrics, get a specialist. 

If you cook on your boat or use gas to make a much needed cup of tea you should have a look at the rubber hose and connections from the gas bottle.  Look for any signs of wear on the hose or corrosion on the connectors.  If you think any needs replacing, you’ll need to call a certified gas engineer to fix it.

Next week one of my colleagues will be talking to you about your life saving equipment and what you can do to make sure it will help keep you safe in an emergency.


Devendra Das – Chief Engineer and Surveyor Glasgow Marine Office.

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