Axopar 28 - Dead Mans Switch; Using the Dead Mans Switch; Driving at High Speed; High-Speed Driving Precautions

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DRIVING IN ROUGH SEAS
Never go out in rough seas, if you are uncertain whether the boat and
those on board can cope. Follow these simple rules:
• Be well prepared.
• Remember to secure loose equipment.
• Always have a sea-anchor and other emergency equipment easily
accessible.
• Avoid breaking seas that can appear close to land and over shallows.
• If there is signicant waves, always reduce speed to guarantee the
safety of the persons on board.
• Use the trim tab to trim the bow down to reduce hull slamming in a
head sea.
In a head sea
• Adjust speed to suit the size of the waves.
• Adjust the trim angle to the size of the waves. Avoid taking seas
beam on.
In a following sea
• Remember to keep the bow high in a following sea. Avoid crash
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ing through waves, maintain low speed. If necessary, deploy the sea
anchor to reduce speed.
• Planing boats can be particularly exposed in rough following seas.
The stern of the boat rises and the rudder does not answer, so the
boat broaches while the bow cuts down into the sea.
CAUTION!
Even a non-slip moulding can be slippery to walk on when the deck is
wet.
MANOEUVRING IN NARROW CHANNELS
When manoeuvring the boat in narrow channels the engine speed
should be kept as low as possible so that manoeuvres are calm and
steady. In difcult wind and current conditions, more revs might be
necessary to make full use of the power of the engine. In these condi
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tions, it is important that manoeuvres are made quickly and precisely to
prevent the boat from drifting into trouble for example.
A good rule, before starting a manoeuvre under difcult conditions, is
to think through the different situations which could arise. Pay atten
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tion to the wind and current conditions and decide in advance which
manoeuvres you will make. It is also important to brief crew members
on what they should do in different situations.
Always keep in mind that the stability of the boat may be reduced when
towing.
DOCKING
Always brief your crew how you are planning to dock.
Fenders and at least one mooring line fore and aft must be in place
before approaching the jetty.
It is always easiest to dock against the wind. Try to hold the bow exactly
into the wind and maintain sufcient speed for the boat to answer the
rudder. If the bow is blown off in one direction, back out and repeat
the manoeuvre. Bring the bow up to the jetty, and make sure you get
a line ashore quickly.
Docking with a beam wind is a little more difcult. Do not steer parallel
to the jetty letting the boat blow in as there is always a risk of the bow
being blown off towards other boats or the jetty. Instead, try to man
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oeuvre the boat so that the wind comes directly from astern. Then the
boat can be manoeuvred straight ahead since the wind helps hold the
boat on a straight course. It is good to have someone on the foredeck
that can go ashore and quickly turn the bow in the desired direction
after the boat has stopped completely.
Try to always avoid sharp movements of the throttle, since idling speed
in ahead and astern is generally adequate. Sharp movements of the
throttle can lead to panic manoeuvres.
BEFORE ANCHORING
01 Check the chart to see if anchoring is permitted in the area.
02 Listen to the weather forecast for the area and take note of the
expected wind conditions.
03 Switch on the echo sounder.
04 Study the seabed conditions and make sure that there is good
holding ground.
05 Check that the safety chain has been released from the anchor.
06 Wait until you have reached the intended anchoring point before
lowering the anchor.
07 Let out the anchor line equal to at least three times the depth of
the water.
08 Put the engine in astern to check that the anchor has taken hold.
(Only when bow anchoring)
09 Note your position on the GPS. Regularly check that the boat has
not moved from its position.
10 Set the echo sounder to “Anchor Watch”
ANCHORING, MOORING AND TOWING
Fastening points are indicated in the illustration on page 30. Points (or
cleats) are located both at the stern, midship and bow. When anchor
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ing or towing, the forward force is 28.5kN
When mooring the forward force is 23.3kN
When mooring the rearward force is 19,8kN
CAUTION!
The tensile strength of the lines or chains should normally not exceed
the strength of the fastening point in question.
When towing another boat or being towed, always drive slowly. If the
boat you are towing is of the displacement hull type, never exceed its
hull speed
Always attach the tow line so that it can be detached under load. It is
the owner’s/operator’s responsibility to ensure that mooring lines, tow
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ing lines, anchor chains, anchor lines and anchors are adequate for the
vessel’s intended use.