Departure

This is a departure checklist for an offshore or ocean passage.

(I) PRIOR TO DEPARTURE DAY:

1. Check thru-hulls, hoses and clamps
2. Check rigging and sails
3. Check winches
4. If appropriate change oil, replace fuel filters and check engine per schedule
5. Check maintenance schedule and do any other overdue items
6. Check inventory and buy necessary spare parts, batteries, etc.
7. Provision for all non-perishable items
8. Do passage planning
9. Check electronics
10. Check all safety equipment
11. Check jacklines
12. Fill butane bottles 
13. Track weather to identify window
14. Fill up with Diesel
15. Fill water tanks
16. Do laundry

(II) DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE:

1. Provision for perishables
2. Clear out of customs and immigration
3. Take down awnings
4. Haul and stow the dinghy and outboard motor
5. Check navigation lights
6. Charge the handheld VHF
7. Check deck tiedowns
8. Review weather forecast
9. Radio checks on VHF and SSB
10. Top up fuel and water tanks and jerry jugs
11. Check engine oil and coolant
12. Check Generator oil and coolant
13. Put snap shackles on gas locker latches
14. Make up sea berths with sheets and pillows and rig lee cloths
15. Stow everything below except what's needed during the passage
16. Stow the secondary and stern anchors and cover their chain hawses
17. Ensure everyone is allocated a life jacket, & lifeline and that they are armed and fit
18. Ensure everyone is familiar with the location and operation of the safety gear
    1. Liferaft
    2. Life-jackets & rules
    3. EPIRB's, Flares & Fog-horn
    4. Dan-buoy, Lifebuoy & Throwing Line
    5. Bilge pumps & buckets
    6. Fire extinguishers & fire blanket
    7. Jackstays
    8. Wooden bungs & window boards

(III) DAY OF DEPARTURE:

1. Ensure cockpit cover and support hoop are stored
2. Unlock the life raft
3. Put valuables in the Grab Bag
4. Review weather forecast
5. Fill thermoses with hot water
6. Prepare passage food
7. Make galley & Gas sea-ready
8. Secure the table leaves
9. Bring out Life Jackets and tethers
10. Fit the dan-buoy/Life buoy, Rescue Buoy and Throwing Line
11. Fit External EPIRB
12. Uncover the compass and remove instrument covers
13. Check bilges
14. Close and secure hatches and portholes
15. Reset GPS Trip Odometer
16. Check on deck and ensure ends of all lines are secured
17. Remove any halyard ties
18. Ensure Guard Rail gateways are closed
19. Haul down courtesy flag and prepare Q flag and new courtesy flag
20. Hoist the Ensign
21. Bring out Deck Log, charts, and Navigator s Notebook
22. Ensure the General, motor, bow thruster, & winch breakers are on (Battery Locker)
23. Turn on the VHF and put remote in cockpit
24. Turn on GPS & Chart plotter, instruments etc.
25. Make departure entry (all except time) in the Deck Log
26. Turn on the engine & check water is coming out.
27. Up anchor, unmoor, or leave the dock