Are you conducting a regular maintenance and servicing schedule on your boat to ensure you and your friends and family's safety at sea? Poorly maintained vessels result in problems at sea which can be disasterous. Breakdowns, battery and fuel problems on boats account for over 50% of the calls for assistance that Coastguard receives every year.

Below are the 10 top maintenance tips that we suggest you do to help make your boating safer.

ü	Wash your boat regularly with fresh water	This removes any salt water buildup that can be very corrosive on your boat and equipment
ü	Service your engine at least once a year	Don’t wait until everybody wants to get their boats serviced. Spark plugs should be changed with your engine service. You should carry a spare set including a sparkplug spanner on your boat.
ü	Check the water pump from your motor regularly to ensure a strong discharge	Everytime you start your motor, make sure that water is being discharged from the motor. A blocked cooling system can overheat and destroy a motor.
ü	Check your battery around 4 times a year	Batteries cause the most headaches for boat users. Check that it is charged and kept topped up with distilled water. Make sure that connections are not corroded or loose.
ü	Check fuel lines at least 4 times a year	Make sure that there are no cracks in your fuel line and that any connections are not corroded
ü	Check your oil 3-4 times a year	Check the oil level and also keep an eye on the oil colour.
ü	Check your propeller for damage or rubbish	Make sure that there is no fishing line wound around your prop and make sure that your prop is not damaged. A damaged prop can be very fuel inefficient.
ü	Check the hull for any visible signs of damage	Look for any unexpected scratches and dents and look inside the boat for water leaks. Make sure the bung plugs still fit securely and check that the navigation lights and bilge pumps are working correctly.
ü	Monitor the trailer frequently as well as the boat	Have a quick scan of the trailer immediately after launching your boat. Check that the rollers are in good condition, winch cable is secure, lights working and that corrosion is minimal.
ü	Finally be sure to check all joints and connections to keep them secure	You should do a boat walk through (inside and out) about 3-4 times a year to look for normal wear and tear and to keep a general eye out for problems. Also check all ropes for wear and tear or damage.