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WINTERING YOUR BOAT Now is the time to think about winterising your boat is ready to ensure it will be ready to go again in the spring. Here are some tips from the River Team about how to get your boat ready for winter:
Winterise engine
The latest news, keeping residents and harbour users up to date.
www.dartharbour.org CHIEF EXECUTIVE/
HARBOUR MASTER Following the retirement of Capt Mark Cooper in September, Captain Richard Eggleton is helping Dart Harbour during the transition period, while the recruitment of a new Chief Executive/Harbour Master takes place and during the handover period after the new Chief Executive/Harbour Master starts work with us. The recruitment process is already underway. Capt Rich Eggleton has been involved with Dart
Captain Richard Eggleton
Harbour for many years. Originally appointed to the Board in October 2013, Richard completed his term in December 2017. He spent a period as a co-opted board member for his pilotage experience and was appointed to the Board, once again as a full member in 2018 before standing down during 2020. Rich is also the Senior Pilot for the River Dart, having spent many years operating as a Pilot in the area. He will be standing in as Interim Harbour Master while a new CEO/HM is recruited and will help the new incumbent to settle into the post. Rich’s seagoing career started in 1999 when he joined
the Merchant Navy working in the Offshore Oil & Gas Industry in the North Sea. This led to him becoming 2nd in command at the age of 21. In 2005, he moved into sail training, becoming Chief Officer on board the Tall Ship Youth Trust’s Sail Training vessels, “Prince William” and “Stavros S Niarchos”, travelling the world and regularly visiting Dartmouth. It was in Dartmouth that he met his wife during a visit to the Britannia Royal Naval College. Rich spent 20 years at sea with the last 9 as Master,
serving on various vessels including Offshore Oil & Renewable Industry Vessels, Sail Training Vessels and as Master of the Trinity House Vessel “Patricia”. In October 2019, Rich made the move to a shore position and now works as Pilot for Cattewater Harbour Commissioners in Plymouth. In his spare time, Rich is also a member of the RNLI
Dart Lifeboat crew. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute.
If you are not planning on using your boat over the winter period consider winterising your engine to keep it healthy and ready to go in spring. There are different techniques for different engines, and there is a wealth of how-tos available on the internet to suit your engine. Or consider asking a marine engineer to do it for you.
Check mooring lines
Before leaving your boat it is important to check and ensure your mooring lines and chains are all in good health. It is much easier to change a mooring line in advance than it is to pull a boat off the river bank if it’s gone adrift and hit other boats on its way! Check areas like fairleads and cleats for chafing on mooring lines and ensure shackles and chains are not worn, and are fastened tightly and moused.
Some examples of what to look out for – worn lines and chains.
‘Batten down the hatches’
Whilst the Dart is generally a sheltered haven for boats, we still experience our fair share of severe weather and strong winds over winter. Make sure you leave your vessel ship shape and ready for storms by securing any items on deck, closing all hatches, and ensuring covers are fitted tightly. If your boat has sails consider taking them off and storing them inside to prevent them becoming unfurled and damaged in strong winds.
Safety checks when leaving your boat in the water
• Close all seacocks and check stern glands and rudder stocks.
• Check your battery to make sure it is fully charged, clean terminals and make sure your charging set up is working.
• Check bilge pumps to ensure they are working and that float switches properly work • Monitor your boat regularly
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