Boating Tips
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
at 10:02:02 AM Here are boating tips that may help your boating summer season to be safe on the water.
Engine
Change:
Spark plugs
Points
Engine oil
Examine for wear:
Spark plug wires
Drive belts
Water pump
Water hoses for cracks or bulging
Top up all fluid levels
Electrical
Clean battery terminals and top up fluids with distilled water
Check running lights
Test windshield wipers and blowers
Visually check wire connectors
Sailboat
Inspect all rigging for frayed wire at swaged fittings
Check halyards and shackles for wear
Inspect masthead fitting and deck fittings for fatigue in the metal
Meter all electrical lights and instruments to make sure they work before the mast goes up
Safety
Inspect your PFDs; make sure they float, are not ripped and fit everyone onboard
Change the salt tablet in your automatic inflatable PFD
Check your fire extinguishers to make sure the gauges are in the green and that the chemical can still be shaken loose
Restock the first aid kit
Check all required safety gear is still on board and in good condition
Please see your owners manual for your equipment on board, as it may differ from this list. Do not take all these tips as a given check out the boat supplier manual or call the supplier.
Inspecting the Bottom
Replace zinc anodes
Examine hull for unusual blisters or delimintation
Caulk or fill the keel joint
Inspect the prop for dings as these cause vibration and reduces fuel economy
Prop shaft should be in good condition without pitting
The strut bearing should be solid
Check trim tab fasteners, make sure they are tight
Clear strainers over thru halls
Make sure depth sounder thru hull is NOT painted
Up on deck
Check and seal leaks around windows and ports with Life Seal or Bostick (they adhere to Plexiglas)
Refinish any wood trim either clean and recoat with previous or sand down and renew
Air out covers and Biminis, weather proof canvas and clean vinyl windows
Pull out your anchoring gear to inspect for line chafe that shackles are wired and in good condition
Check the decks for spider crakes and repair as per How to Repair Scratches in gel coat
Check your cleats, chocks and any other hardware, make sure it is not leaking or rusting
Inside your boat
Clean out the bilge of all oil or debris including your limber holes
Make sure your thru hulls and ball valves are in good condition and not frozen in place
Check or replace packing glands around the prop shaft as well as the rudder post
Clean your icebox with baking soda
Empty your water tanks of antifreeze and rinse through with Fresh Tank
Wipe down interior woodwork with teak oil or previous finish
Hull
Wash with biodegradable boat soap
For tougher stains, use Yacht Scrub on a scrub pad
Rubbing compound will bring out the colour and luster
Decide your finish wax polish sealer and apply
Be aware that household products were not made for fiberglass that has a 1/8 inch of gel coat protecting it and can yellow your finish
Please ensure workers and contractors are properly trained before providing service contractors must provide you or your company with a WSIB Certificate of Clearance showing WSIB is paid in full.
WSIB CHANGES UNDERWAY
Friday, March 13, 2009
at 3:23:04 PM LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WSIB changes underway, and more to come
The Toronto Star, March 07, 2009
Re: Audit slams Ontario workplace safety rebates, March 4
Your Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage distorts the system put in place in 1914 to serve injured workers with irresponsible and highly misleading reporting. Calling the WSIB-commissioned consultants report an audit suggests this review, which began long before the Star showed any interest, leads to a distortion of the outcome of this work. In addition this is the culmination of our board of directors work to study the issue and make sound rational changes, which I have been saying are needed for some time.
The WSIB has already made changes: no rebates where a fatality occurs; a new team to look at firms that have been fined for breaking the law; a special advisory committee of the board of directors to study the issue; and the hiring of a consultant to do research for the committee. It is interesting to note the same people who decried the selection of the consultants Morneau Sobeco as bean counters now claim vindication. This report is a tool that we will use to make our system better.
I will not sit idly by while a crusade continues to muddy the very turbulent waters around us and destroy a system that is always under scrutiny and review, and always looking for ways to improve. The focus should be on how we can eliminate the over 300,000 claims we receive each year; how we can eliminate the 100 fatalities, on average, that occur each year; and how we can help the families of the 260 workers who die from occupational disease each year. There are still tragedies that occur in our workplaces.
This is a very complex issue and needs calm and thoughtful deliberation. It also requires extensive consultation and under my leadership it will get both.
Steven W. Mahoney, Chair
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
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