Bryan Kolstad is an experienced marine mechanic who’s worked on hundreds of boats in his career. For the most part, he’s dealt with mechanical issues that are common with watercrafts. Occasionally, he’s also had to advise boat owners on how to keep their vessels safe.
“It’s not surprising to find owners getting issued a voyage termination order by the Coast Guard because of having sloppy boats,” he says.
A sloppy ship is one that is dirty, has loose wiring and equipment, clogged air and heating ducts, leaks and an inadequate fuel system. It’s a dangerous boat to operate in plain language.
A danger to all
If you remember the original Dennis the Menace television show, Dennis’ toys were always in the way, causing Mr. Wilson to trip over. It might have been fiction, but when your boat resembles Dennis’ room, it’s a danger to all.
Tripping on exposed electrical lines or equipment can cause serious injuries. If the gear is not properly stored, it can cause weight distribution issues that affect the boat’s stability. Fuel and electrical systems that need to be repaired can be the cause of the fire, which is one element that you don’t want to deal with on a boat.
A clean boat is a safe boat, and a safe experience is what professionals such as Bryan Kolstad want for all boaters.
