The inventory, an essential step
After a more or less long trip, it's finally time to relax! You've just reached your port of departure and you just want to get away from it all. However, you will have to wait a little longer. The check-in is essential before leaving. First of all, for safety and comfort reasons, but also in case of litigation. This sometimes long step should not be neglected.
The inventory is done with an employee of the rental base. It is not necessary to have a complete crew, the skipper will be enough. The purpose of the inventory is to verify the presence of mandatory, safety and comfort items by going around the boat, from the inside to the outside. You can take pictures to keep proof.
External inventory
- General condition of the boat: hull, liner, balcony, lockers, deck panels
- Presence and number of mooring lines, hawsers, fenders and their general condition.
- Life raft
- Electric windlass
- Fuel and water hoses and their proper filling
- In the case of a sailboat, check the condition of the rigging, the halyards and sheets, but also the condition of the sails. Do not hesitate to hoist the mainsail for example to find any tears. Find out the number of sails on board and their location
- Open the engine hold, check the various levels and the state of the belt in the case of an inboard.
- Start the engine, check that there is no abnormal smoke and no suspicious noise.
- Ask about the draught, most of the damage is due to heeling.
Indoor inventory
- All comfort equipment: dishes, first aid products if provided, gas stove, oven, refrigerator and/or freezerâeuros¦
- If your boat is equipped with a watermaker, a generator or air conditioning, find out how they work
- Safety equipment: presence and number of life jackets adapted to the crew, lanyard, flashlight, foghorn, engine beltâeuros¦
- Presence and operation of electronic equipment such as GPS, depth sounder, VHF, autopilot and navigation equipment such as binoculars, dry-tip compass and relèvement, a navigational rèleâeuros¦
- Presence of the boat's papers
- USB ports, extension cord, shore power
- Operation of the battery park
- Tool kit: hammer, pliers, multipurpose knifeâeuros¦
- First aid kit: disinfectant, bandages, compresses...
- Operation of toilets and black water valves
- Bottom of the bilge to check for water.
