6 of 42
4 SAFE HANDLING AND OPERATION
The following basic boat manoeuvring and operation principles do not cover all
conditions or situations you may encounter during operation.
Always advise all crew members and passengers on board of your steering, stopping
and accelerating intentions to avoid personal injury or even death.
See the Engine Operator’s Manual for instructions on starting and operating
the engine, adjustments and maintenance.
See the Engine Operator’s Manual for instructions on use of the Volvo Docking
system.
You should thoroughly understand your boat’s equipment and controls in order to
drive and control your boat in at all speeds and in all conditions.
4.1 Leaving the craft unattended and re-entering.
The Esquire is equipped with a number of systems that shouldn’t be left unattended
for a long time. The boat should be manned while electrical systems are in use and
water systems are pressurized. Although leaving the boat is not considering small
visits to the shore during the stay on board, air conditioning or heating should never
be in use while there is nobody on board.
Therefore this manual will give a description on how to make your boat ready to be
unmanned and what to start up as you enter the craft.
4.1.1 Preparations for leaving the craft unattended
•
Make sure the boat is properly moored to the quayside or dock according
proper seamanship for all kind of weather types whether it is forecasted or not.
•
Notify the marina that you intend to leave the boat unmanned for a certain
period of time.
•
Water pumps should be switched off.
•
Make sure the air-conditioning, heater and stove are properly switched off
according the manufacturers manual.
•
Switch off the engine start battery switches.
•
Make sure all lights in all compartments are switched off.
•
It is wise to give the toilet a clean to avoid unpleasant surprises on your return.
•
To make sure everything is in good shape for the next visit, the shower drain
tank and pump should be cleaned.
•
As the fuel oil supply valves are using electricity while open, the “emergency
fuel switch” on the dashboard should be operated to close the valves. Operate
this switch by opening the red cap and flick the switch forward.
•
It is recommended not to leave the boat on shore power whilst unattended but
you might be able to come to some type of agreement with the marina to keep
the connection open in order to keep the batteries fully charged.
•
If the shore power stays on, the electric heating of the boiler should be
switched off by using its circuit breaker in the 220V shore power switchbox.
•
In the case of the shore power being disconnected, the service battery should
be switched off by the “service battery switch”