Material Conditions- Shipboard

[delmarrey]

Some of ye ole military sailors may remember "Material Conditions". It was the W, X, Y, & Z marked on doorways, hatches and valves aboard ship.

I've made up a list of conditions for my own boat, which may not apply to others. If one ever has a new crew member or even old ones for that matter. You can hand them this condition list and when the time is due just set a verbal condition. In the Navy it was done over the PA system. And over time one usually memorizes the conditions, which makes for a more proficient vessel/crew.

My lists are posted inside the boat which also include an "Underway List" and a "Ditch Bag List". It seems I've updated my other lists a few times already, so I'm thinking this MC list is probably in need as well.

I'll post it and if any have any conditions that might apply I'll most likely add them. And if you would like the list for yourself, enjoy!

Shipboard Material Conditions


Circle Whisky:
While in port with lines & spring lines secure. (Storage)
Thru hull valves closed
Battery switches off, fore and aft
Bilge pump tested
Hatches closed & locked
Halyards secured away from mast
Sail cover secure
Roller furling secure
Fenders secure
Power cord secure
Rigging secured
Store deck gear


Whisky:
Relaxed while in port, crew aboard.
Thru hull valves open (optional)
Battery switch (aft) on (optional), Fwd off
Hatches closed/open (optional)
Halyards secure away from mast
Sail cover secure
Roller furling secure

Circle Xray:
Getting Underway (power or sail)
Refer to Underway Check List (below decks)
Thru hull valves open
Battery switches on, fore & aft
Hatches closed/open (optional)
Halyards in ready condition
Sail cover secure (power), removed (sailing)
Roller furling ready
Remove spring lines
Remove power cord
Remove winch covers.
Power up instruments (optional)
Warm up motor. Check exhaust water flow & gauge readings
Select steering mod


Xray:
Underway (Power or sail)
Store lines and finders
Close gates
Close & lock hatches forward of mast (sailing/ 10+ kt wind)
Sailing:
Remove sail cover & store
Prepare main halyard
Prepare roller furl line

Yoke:
Questionable Weather Conditions
Close and lock hatches
Don life jackets w/harness, ready tethers
Check jack lines
Don/ready weather gear">foul weather gear (optional)
Check anchor & windlass for security
Double check gear below
Radio(s)/GPS on
Ready ditch bag

Zebra:
Extreme Weather Conditions
Close entryway board & hatch
Tie down any moving gear
Secure compartment covers
Ready sea anchor/drogue

Circle Zebra:
Prepare to Abandon Ship
Bring life raft and ditch bag to deck
If time, bring up extra lights, handheld electronics, Water, Food, Med’s

[maxingout]

I was in the Navy for 5 years, but I only had one day of sea duty. This is the first time I have heard of "Material Conditions."

Before I started the circumnavigation on Exit Only, I made up lists like this. I showed them to my family one time, and that was pretty much it for the whole trip around the world.

We had good crew, and they did all of the things on the list usually without being told more than once. Everything happened automatically.

When you have inexperienced people on board, lists like this help organize their thinking so they have a clue what is going on, what happens next, and what are their responsibilities. Once everyone is with the program, it becomes automatic for most people on board. For those that don't get it, probably a list won't make any difference.

[Ex-Calif]

Checklists = good whatever you want to call them.

Every charter boat I rent has a checklist.

The more complex the boat the more desireable to have...

The things I check personally before leaving the boat regardless of who said they did it - boat secured (mooring lines or dock lines), battery off, through hulls in proper orientation, hatches secure, bilge pump on.

Halyards, sailcovers, etc. all important but not likely to result in a boat loss.