6. Maintenance
The autopilot is one of the most used and hardest
working items of equipment on board, and therefore
must receive its fair share of attention and routine
maintenance. The working parts of the drive system are
sealed and lubricated for life during manufacture and
therefore do not require servicing.
Regular inspection of the installation is recommended in
the following areas where applicable.
1. Check tension and alignment of the drive chain
(Rotary Drive) and lubricate with good quality
waterproof light grease.
2.
Check that Hydraulic Steering systems are free
from leaks and trapped air. Bleed when necessary
to remove air from the system.
3. Check that all inter-connecting cable terminals are
fully tightened and corrosion free.
4. Check that external waterproof sockets are capped
when not in use and periodically spray with WD40
(or similar) to protect from corrosion.
5. Check that the heavy power supply cable
connections are tight and free from corrosion.
7. Safety
Passage making under autopilot can
greatly
increase the pleasure of the voyage
and ensure the
crew can relax. However,
this can lead to a
dangerous lack of
attention to basic seamanship.
The
following rules should always be
observed:Maintain a permanent watch and check
regularly all round for other vessels and
obstacles
to navigations. No matter how
clear the sea may
appear a dangerous
situation can develop rapidly.
•
Maintain an accurate record of the
vessel's
position either by use of a radio
navigation receiver
or visual bearings.
•
Maintain a continuous plot of position on
a
current chart. Ensure the locked
autopilot heading
steers you clear of all
obstacles. Make proper
allowance for
Tidal Set - the autopilot cannot!
•
Even when your autopilot is locked to
the
desired Track using a radio
navigation receiver
maintain a log and a
regular positional plot. Radio
navigation
signals can produce significant errors
under some circumstances and the
autopilot cannot
detect this situation.
•
Ensure that all members of crew are
familiar with
the procedures required to
engage and disengage
the autopilot.
•
When searoom is restricted a crew
member
must be close to a control unit
at all times if under
autopilot control.
•
On Powercraft permanent watch should
be
maintained at the steering station
when at speed
with the autopilot
engaged.
Your Autoheim ST7000 will add a new
dimension to your boating enjoyment.
However, it is
the responsibility of the
skipper to ensure the safety
of the vessel at
all times by careful observance of
these
basic rules.
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