How to prevent a breakdown at sea

With winter's inclement and windy weather, Queensland Water Police are encouraging boaties to set some time aside for preventative maintenance on their boats before their next boating excursion.

When boats don’t get used for a period of time there are a number of things that can go wrong when the boat is again operated.

The most common problems relate to engines and electrics. To overcome issues of flat batteries, it is recommended that the battery is charged prior to use or left on an automatic battery charger when not in use.

FLUSH YOUR ENGINE
Marine engines, especially those used in saltwater, are prone to corrosion and water pump issues if not used regularly. Take time to start the engine once a week to check cooling water flow and general operation including gears.

Remember to flush your engine with fresh water after use in salt water.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT
Fuels, especially unleaded fuel, deteriorate over time. Unless you use your vessel regularly or you use a fuel conditioner, it pays not to have too much fuel in your tank when the vessel is stored. Fill up with fresh fuel prior to use and have a good quality fuel filter fitted. (ED: There are different schools of thought on this as a full fuel tank can reduce internal tank condensation and, thus, water in your fuel. I tend to maintain a reasonably full tank with fuel additive for this reason).

BATTERY POWER
Equipment such as switches, bilge pumps, lights, marine radios and electronics rely on having adequate voltage to operate. Other than flat batteries, poor quality wiring and connections are often identified as the cause of failure of marine electrical equipment.

Take the time to check over all electrical connections and look for loose or corroded connections that may fail usually when you need to rely on that piece of equipment the most.

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECK
By taking the time to thoroughly check over your boat and equipment prior to your next excursion you will significantly reduce the chances of having something fail out on the water and putting yourself, family or friends at risk.

Most incidents that our rescue organisations respond to could have been prevented by better maintenance by the owner of the vessel. If you aren’t competent to do the maintenance yourself, pay someone who is.

Making the effort to prepare your boat and equipment prior will make your time on the water more enjoyable but more importantly safer.

And don’t forget to check the dates on your safety equipment! More on safety at

Marine Safety Queensland.