Most offshore problems start at the dock—quietly.
Operators don’t rely on hope. They rely on a repeatable pre-run routine that catches small issues before they turn into failures.
Here’s a simple offshore pre-run checklist you can repeat every trip.
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## 1) Electrical (2 minutes)
• batteries: terminals tight, no visible corrosion
• electronics: key screens boot normally
• breakers: any “known problem” circuits stable
• lights/pumps: quick function check
If electronics act “weird,” treat it as a warning sign.
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## 2) Bilge & Water Intrusion (1 minute)
• bilge level: normal vs rising
• pump test: manual activation (not just “it’s wired”)
• float switch: not stuck or jammed
• new water trails: anything unusual gets investigated
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## 3) Engine Room Quick Scan (2 minutes)
• leaks: fuel, oil, coolant, water
• belts: tension + visible cracking
• hoses/clamps: swelling, spray, salt crystals
• smell test: fuel smell = stop and investigate
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## 4) Steering, Controls, and Safety (2 minutes)
• steering: smooth lock-to-lock
• throttle/shift: smooth engagement
• comms: radio basics
• safety: your “must have” gear onboard
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## The “Don’t Leave Until” Rule
Do not leave if you have:
• fuel smell
• rising bilge water
• unexplained alarms
• new leaks
• abnormal electrical behavior
A canceled trip is cheaper than an offshore problem.
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