While already briefly described in this blog, it is necessary to be more detailed about sea trials and about what the surveyor will do.
Referred to as “prove in mare” in Italian, they are the set of checks that a ship surveyor will put in place to analyze the condition of the equipment and systems on board during the dynamic phase.
Here they are:
- Engine: before ignition, the surveyor will check the lubricant levels i.e. engine and inverter oil and if sail drive oil is present, he will also check the coolant level with attention to the color of the same in the heat exchanger; of course, a general check of the transmission and the axle seal or cap or sail drive (if any), the belt tension and the condition of the starter motor and its connections cannot be missed; the engine mounts and the exhaust line will also be visited. After all this, after the engine is started cold we should wait for the engine to reach operating temperature. During the sea trial then the engine will be tested at the various engine speeds from minimum to maximum to record its performance, noise, smoke, exhaust flow and any anomalies; the gear couplings i.e. forward and reverse will of course be checked to verify the condition of use of the reverser and perceive any abnormal sound or vibration.
- On-board electronics : during navigation, on-board electrical and electronic equipment such as engine control instruments (tachometer, various pressure switches, alarms) and navigation instrumentation (radar, autopilot, log, echo, gps) will be tested.
- Installations and accessories: when at sea if present on board the watermaker, bow thruster or in general any maneuvering propellers, generator set and air conditioning for example if subordinate to the generator set will be tested.
If the boat is sailing, the sails will be hoisted or opened as desired and both their condition and the condition of the current rigging and deck equipment checked.
Time required
This varies by size and especially by accessories of the boat, a full sea trial will last no less than 1 hour up to a maximum of 2 hours; if the boat is large and full of accessories a conscientious boat surveyor will have his or her team of technicians participate in the sea trial by establishing tasks to distribute the checks according to expertise.
After the sea trial the engine at shutdown will be rechecked as well as all bilges for any waterways or anomalies that have arisen.