| At first glance, losing engine power does not seem like | | | | - Turn off all lights. Crew can use their personal |
| a very serious problem - but read on and you'll see it | | | | torches to see their way around below and when |
| might be quite confronting. | | | | necessary on deck. |
| Diesel engines | | | | - If you have refrigeration, it must be switched off to |
| The most likely cause of a diesel engine not starting is | | | | save power. You should avoid opening the door all the |
| that it has air in the fuel. You will have to bleed the | | | | time, getting milk for tea and coffee. Put today's |
| system. Everybody should know how to do this! In any | | | | supplies in a portable ice chest or cooler. Alternative |
| case, you should have on board the manual for your | | | | sources of power |
| yacht's engine. | | | | Cruising yachts generally have several sources of |
| If the engine still won't start, there may be something | | | | power in addition to their engines. We were able to |
| wrong with the injectors, which you can't fix at sea. | | | | maintain house battery power with a wind generator |
| Petrol engines | | | | while running two refrigerators, one on 240 volt power, |
| The problem here is most certainly going to be the | | | | and keeping cell phones, camcorders and digital |
| electrics. Don't despair. If you have an outboard on | | | | cameras fully charged. |
| your dinghy you can use it to propel your yacht. | | | | Solar panels are the other method, but may not be |
| What you do is tie the dinghy securely alongside with | | | | suitable in all locations. |
| plenty of fenders between the two vessels. The | | | | Too much oil! |
| outboard will work fairly hard but will propel both and | | | | There is one circumstance where you will not want |
| will also steer for both. As a result, it only requires one | | | | the motor to start, as there will be a strong chance |
| person, driving the dinghy. This method is less stressful | | | | that the motor could explode. This is when the oil level |
| in terms of engine strain than towing. | | | | is increasing. |
| Check the batteries | | | | It is essential to dip the oil every day so that you can |
| You should also check the batteries to see if they are | | | | monitor the situation. If the level of oil is increasing, and |
| flat, although this should never be allowed to happen. | | | | you have not put in extra yourself, it may well be |
| Ocean going yachts should have one battery | | | | because the fuel pump is faulty and has allowed diesel |
| dedicated to the engine and then whatever is needed | | | | to get into the sump. This may never happen to you |
| for the house supply. | | | | but if you don't monitor the oil level you will never know |
| Manage your resources | | | | that you are in danger. |
| Power must be kept available for communications and | | | | Always remember, particularly if you are well out to |
| receiving weather forecasts so, if the engine still won't | | | | sea, that if you can't motor through flat spots you |
| start, you need to minimise your power usage as | | | | could be becalmed. Check your water supply. You and |
| follows: | | | | your crew can only last four to five days without |
| - Rig and use emergency navigation lights which are | | | | water. |
| battery powered. | | | | |