12.11 PRECAUTIONS DURING NAVIGATION
- During navigation, do not loosen the anchor chain safety lock because it can seriously damage the bow of the yacht.
- Maintain a safe speed for the sea conditions, visibility, and when near other yachts.
- Do not exceed speed limits in harbour and confined waters.
- Follow all navigation rules applicable to the waters in which you are operating.
- Provide laminated plastic reference cards for the Rules of Navigation and have them available for quick reference at each helm station.
- Consult charts for information on locations of reefs, rocks, shoals, or other hazards to make sure that the yacht is not at risk of grounding or collision with fixed or floating structures.
- Frequently check that your route ahead and around the yacht is unobstructed (no yachts or objects in the expected route or approaching your yacht).
- Frequently confirm the yacht’s position as you cruise, using all available aids, such as charts, visual observations and bearings, depth soundings, GPS, radar, etc..
- If the yacht is controlled by the autopilot, keep a good visual guard. The autopilot cannot see.
- Before night navigation, make sure that navigation lights and search lights are operational. Ensure that the correct navigation lights are turnen ON for operation at night. Do not keep the anchor riding light ON while the yacht is navigating.
- Use navigation lights in all conditions of reduced visibility, such as fog and rain and at all times between sunset and sunrise.
WARNING
When navigating at night, visual sharpness is crucial for a safe passage. To avoid collisions, reduce speed at night to compensate for limitations of visibility. Avoid switching on inner lights that may affect the pilot’s night vision.
- Know the characteristics of the sea bottom before to anchoring. Keep away of other anchored yachts.
- During anchoring, pay special attention to avoid rotating parts of the winch and take precautions when handling the anchor chain as it comes off the winch. Caution is needed to avoid injury to hands and fingers. Also, take care to avoid entangling feet and legs in the anchor rode.
- When the yacht is navigating, all persons on board must be seated in designated areas to avoid injury from falls caused by the movement of the yacht in rough seas and active lapping areas, in the event of sudden changes in speed or during manoeuvres. No one should be seated on the stern platform when the yacht is navigating.
WARNING
For comfort and safety, reduce the speed in the presence of waves.
WARNING
Persons entering the engine room during navigation must be aware of the hazards due to the movement of the yacht and exposure to high temperatures, hot components and machinery operating in such an environment.
Prior to entering the engine room, set the yacht on the most comfortable heading for sea and wind conditions. People in the engine room should maintain communication with the pilot.
CAUTION
To avoid heavy injuries or even death caused by hazards in the engine room, avoid the contact with hot and/or moving parts, while you are working in this area, wear proper safety clothing, safety goggles and safety gloves. Be extremely cautious in proximity of hot and moving parts. Wear hearing protection if the engine is running.
DANGER
It is forbidden to carry out sudden manoeuvres at high speed.
This can result in accidents to people on board.
DANGER
It is forbidden to stand or sit on the bow cockpit while navigation at high speed.
DANGER
It is absolutely forbidden to perform reverse run with one of the two engines stopped. This operation is allowed only in case of life danger for the people on board and for the safety of the yacht itself, however when the engine is running it should not run higher than 1000 rpm.
WARNING
In order to obtain the best compromise between comfort and speed whilst minimising consumption, keeping the motor running speed in the range between 1500 and 2000 rpm below the maximum permitted revolutions is recommended.
WARNING
During navigation, keep the stern door closed to prevent engine exhaust fumes and water splashes from entering the interior. Since the closure is not waterproof, do not direct water directly onto the door when washing the yacht.
Observing the following guidelines will improve comfort, minimize noise inside the yacht, avoid damage and assist in the proper operation of the yacht.
- Do not run the engines at idle longer than necessary.
- Avoid sudden accelerations and decelerations, which create stress on engine turbochargers.
- Run at idle for a few minutes before shutting down the engines, to allow a gradual cool-down.
- Once the yacht is at cruising speed, the engine instrumentation readings should remain steady. However, if, during normal operating conditions, the engine gauges show abnormal or contradicting values, investigate for possible systems and/or equipment problems or failures (stop the engines).
- Monitor the control panel gauges and system condition alerts frequently.
- Once in the open sea and away from other boats, gradually increase the engine revolutions until you reach the desired speed. Adjust the position of the interceptor to achieve the best performance. For information regarding the adjustment of the wheel alignment correctors, refer to the system-specific manual.
- Adjust the speed to accommodate sea conditions.
- Check the engine exhausts. Black smoke means in particular dirty filters or unburned fuel, due to improper calibration of injection pumps or injectors. White smoke may mean presence of water in the fuel. Bluish smoke may mean abnormal oil combustion.
- In case of abnormal vibration, reduce speed and run at slow rpm until the cause of the vibration is determined. If the vibration is strong, take the engines out of gear. It may be necessary to check the propeller condition. It may also be necessary to have a specialist check the propeller shaft alignment.
- Perform a visual inspection of the bilges periodically.
For the supply of fuel to consider the distance that we intend to cover.
WARNING
When the yacht is navigating, all persons on board must be seated in designated areas to avoid injury from falls caused by the sudden movement of the yacht in active lapping areas, in the event of sudden changes in speed or during manoeuvres. No one should be seated on the stern platform when the yacht is navigating.